The Crossroads of US Highways 61 and 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, is one of the most mythologized landmarks in American music history — the location associated with the legend of Robert Johnson, the Delta blues guitarist who, according to folk tradition, sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his extraordinary musical talent. The intersection sits in the heart of downtown Clarksdale, the city that has come to represent the birthplace and spiritual home of the Mississippi Delta blues.
The landmark is an outdoor site marked by three large blue guitar sculptures installed at the intersection, created as a public art installation to guide blues tourists to the spot. The guitars serve as a backdrop for photographs and have become one of the most reproduced images in Mississippi blues tourism. The surrounding area on Delta Avenue and State Street retains a weathered, mid-20th-century commercial character that contributes to the atmosphere.
Historians note that the precise crossroads in the Robert Johnson legend — which dates to the 1930s — is disputed; some accounts place it in Rosedale or at other Delta intersections. The Clarksdale crossroads gained its prominence through the convergence of blues tourism, the city's genuine historical importance to the blues, and the presence of other landmark venues nearby, including Ground Zero Blues Club and the Delta Blues Museum.
The site itself requires only 15 to 30 minutes — it is a roadside landmark rather than a ticketed attraction. Sunset produces the most atmospheric conditions for photography, with the guitars casting long shadows and the surrounding streetscape taking on a golden light. The landmark is free to visit and accessible at any hour.
Good to know
- Hours
- Open 24 hours (outdoor landmark)
- Best time
- Sunset for atmospheric photography with the three blue guitars sculpture
Location
Junction of US-61 and US-49, Clarksdale, MS 38614
34.2005, -90.5721 View on map
Highlights
- Three large blue guitar sculptures marking the legendary crossroads of US-61 and US-49 in Clarksdale
- Iconic photography backdrop for Mississippi Delta blues heritage tourism
- Geographic center of Clarksdale's blues district, steps from Ground Zero Blues Club and the Delta Blues Museum
- Free, 24-hour outdoor landmark with no admission charge
- Atmospheric downtown Clarksdale streetscape preserving mid-20th-century Delta commercial character
Tips for visiting
- Sunset is the best time for photography — the western light catches the blue guitars and casts long shadows down Delta Avenue.
- Combine with the Delta Blues Museum (2 blocks north) and Ground Zero Blues Club for a complete Clarksdale blues day.
- The site is a roadside stop; 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient before moving on to the area's other attractions.
- Street parking is free on Delta Avenue and State Street.
- The Crossroads marker is just one stop on the Mississippi Blues Trail — pick up a trail map at the Delta Blues Museum.
When to visit
Sunset on a clear evening provides the best photography conditions and the most atmospheric experience. Weekday visits are quieter; weekends during Clarksdale's blues festival season (April, August) see increased tourist traffic.
Accessibility
The Crossroads is a public street intersection with standard curb cuts and sidewalks. The guitar sculptures are viewable from the street-level sidewalk and accessible to visitors with mobility aids.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this the actual crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul?
The legend is disputed and the precise location in Robert Johnson's story is not historically verified. The Clarksdale crossroads gained its association through the city's central role in Delta blues history and the critical mass of blues venues nearby.
How long does a visit to the Crossroads take?
The site is a roadside landmark; most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes taking photographs and absorbing the atmosphere before moving on to the Delta Blues Museum or Ground Zero Blues Club.
Is the Crossroads open at night?
Yes. The landmark is an open outdoor intersection accessible at all hours with no admission charge. Evening visits create a distinct atmosphere, though the surrounding area is most active when Ground Zero Blues Club is open (Wednesday–Saturday).