From a cabin high on a bluff above the Mississippi Delta, Dr. Garnett Murphy has a view of the majestic forest and fertile farmland that reflect a piece of his family's history -- a heritage that he and his son Drew are working to preserve.

Garnett's family, a Land Bank of North Mississippi customer, has owned land in the Delta since the 1920s. Originally used primarily for farming, today the Murphy farm serves as a recreational retreat for the family. Last year, construction was completed on a cabin and a mile-long levee.

The details of the cabin's construction show the Murphys' desire to honor the family land and heritage. The interior of the cabin is handcrafted from cypress harvested from the farm, as are a rustic dining room table and fireplace mantle. The aroma of the wood greets visitors the moment they enter. The two bedrooms downstairs are paneled with cedar, and an A-frame loft overlooks the cozy living space below, including a few pieces of furniture from the house where Garnett was raised -- timeless pieces that starkly contrast their primitive surroundings.

Life in the Delta

The family's Delta roots began in the early 1920s, when Garnett's father, Dr. Hugh Murphy, purchased the original land. He was a country doctor, and bought the first automobile in Tate County in 1915. By the time of his death in 1943, Hugh had acquired 3,000 acres of Delta timberland and farmland.

After he passed away, Garnett's mother, Mosy, continued the farm, leasing out some of the property, a practice the family continues today. In fact, the same farmer has grown corn and beans on their land for the last 40 years.

Garnett and Drew have continued the legacy, not only with the land but also with careers in medicine. Garnett is a plastic surgeon in Memphis, and Drew practices orthopedic surgery there as well. Garnett grew up in the small community of Arkabutla, where his father practiced, but he spent time hunting in the woods after school and driving a tractor in the summer. After graduating from a high school class of 11, Garnett set his sights on attending college and, later, medical school. He harvested virgin timber from the farm to pay for his schooling.

"I went to medical school so I wouldn't have to farm," says Garnett.

Although the Murphys live in the city, Garnett has not strayed far from his rural Delta roots. His thorough knowledge of the history of the area comes through with each story he tells, and he is well versed in the folklore associated with the South.

"The old saying goes that 'the Delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg,'" Garnett says.

The Mississippi Delta has long been known for having a distinct culture all its own. Blues music and some of the genre's best-known musicians, such as B.B. King, called the Delta

home, as did playwright Tennessee Williams and Kermit the Frog. But, local landowners know that it is the rich soil of the Delta that has allowed agriculture to be the foundation of the region's economy and reputation for more than 200 years.

Building a Love for the Land

Garnett attributes the idea of building the cabin and levee to Drew. Drew says that they were looking for a way to improve the

Twelve cypress trees were harvested from the family's farm to trim the exterior of the cabin, panel the interior of the cabin and build a dining room table, above, and a mantle. Both the cabin, above, and the levee, opposite page, were designed and constructed by Garnett's cousin.

wetlands, and the idea for both the levee and cabin just snowballed.

"The amount of time between talking about building and actually doing it was a very short amount of time," says Drew.

The levee took six weeks to construct and is a mile long. It enables the Murphys to flood 100 acres of the farm for duck hunting each winter and turkey hunting each spring.

Over the years, the family has had a close relationship with the Land Bank of North Mississippi, and Garnett's mother was a customer for years.

"Because of our connection, the Land Bank was the first group we went to for financing," says Garnett. "We knew we wouldn't have a problem."

Joe Hill, branch manager/vice president in Land Bank of North Mississippi's Senatobia branch office, worked with the Murphys to finance the project.

"The view from the wooded bluff and cabin is spectacular," says Hill. "You can see all the way across the Delta from the front porch. What a way to watch the sun set."

Preserving for Future Generations

Although their retreat is a peaceful escape from Memphis, like others in the Delta, the Murphys have seen urbanization move closer and closer to their property.

Construction is ongoing for Interstate 69, which will run about 13 miles from the cabin and provide more accessibility to the property. In addition, gambling was legalized in the state in the

1990s, boosting the economy in some towns of the region.

"You can see the lights from the casinos in Tunica at night," Garnett says.

Both Garnett and Drew gain satisfaction from seeing the next generation of Murphy men enjoy the farm. Garnett's youngest son, Matthew, is 14, and Drew has two boys, Will, 12, and Andrew, 9.

"The boys love coming down here," says Drew. "It's great to come here and fish and cook out -- do things we can't do in Memphis."

It is also important to Garnett and Drew that the boys are taught the importance of the farm to the family and its rich history.

"It will be here for generations," says Garnett emphatically.

- Staff