A shoe-in for a Mississippi pin

A landmark of Greenwood, Mississippi, Keesler Bridge was built in the early 20th century and crosses over the Yazoo River. My favorite childhood memory of the bridge is when the city would hang a huge snowman head from the south end of the bridge during Christmas season. At some point the city stopped displaying it.

Rule #1 for enamel pins: less is more

When I was coming up with ideas for my Mississippi pins, Keesler Bridge was one of the must-do designs.

As a general rule, simpler designs lead to better-looking enamel pins and fewer production problems. I didn’t want to include a lot of details anyway, so after analyzing the photos I took of Keesler Bridge, I created a silhouette of the structure’s main features.

I also wanted the pin’s background to look like a sunset. Greenwood, and Mississippi in general, has the most beautiful sunsets of blazing reds, bright oranges, and soft lavenders.

But enamel pins can’t support gradients. I picked a solid peach color that I believe represents our sunsets well enough and at the same time provided good contrast against Keesler Bridge’s outline.

Like my other pins, this has an iron base with black nickel plating. The reverse side has two pin backs to keep the pin from rotating.

A faithful friend of Greenwood's community

I’ve been told my Keesler Bridge pin is iconic. This is an honor given the bridge is a central figure for town festivities. It’s a popular spot for viewing firework shows and taking wedding portraits. Lighted pontoons glow like fireflies as they drift under the bridge on the Fourth of July.

For years Keesler Bridge has ushered Greenwood’s annual Christmas parade (the oldest and largest in Mississippi) from downtown to Grand Boulevard, and nutcracker statues guard the bridge entrances during the holidays.

I’m still waiting for the snowman head to return. Maybe one day he will. ❤︎