Harvey Carr recalls growing up and living in Ridgeland

A young Harvey Carr shown with his sister on a mule guided by his grandfather, John Wesley Carr. The photo was taken at the old homestead in Ridgeland.

HARVEY CARR doesn’t have a lot to say.

Harvey has lived in Ridgeland his whole life, 97 years so far, as part of one of the first families to settle the area. Until finally retiring from farming in his early 90s, he never had much time to sit around and talk.

“Papaw, y’all never had any sunscreen or anything. How’d you keep your skin from being burnt up by the sun?” asks Robby Carr, one of Harvey’s five grandchildren, who has two sons of his own.

Harvey gives a one-word answer, “Tough,” and laughs.