Jack Mayfield talks during a Double Decker bus tour. DM Photo | Mary Allyn Hedges
Imported from England in 1994, the Double Decker buses are an undeniable icon of Oxford. Even more recognizable than the “open top” red, British behemoths is the white-bearded local historian, Jack Mayfield. A graduate of The University of Mississippi and a fifth generation Oxford native, Mayfield is the face and voice of the Oxford Double Decker bus tours.
A former insurance company executive turned history professor and newspaper columnist, Mayfield left his teaching position at Northwest Mississippi Community College to take on some personal ventures.
“My grandkids were starting to grow, and all I wanted to do was buy a motor home,” Mayfield said. “I just love traveling throughout America and taking trips with my grandkids. They love taking summer trips with Pop’s history tour.”
Five years ago, Mayfield decided to give Oxford visitors a taste of “Pop’s history tour” by being the official guide for the Double Decker bus tours.
Since then, Mayfield has taught Oxford visitors and locals more than they could ever expect about the history and culture of this great town.
“It’s nice that people come to Oxford,” Mayfield said. “When they come, they come for Faulkner, but when they get here, they find out many other things. Artist and writers love to come here. It is unlike any other place.”
From senior citizens to celebrities and pretty much everything in between, Mayfield has experienced a vast variety of personalities on his tours.
“When Caroline Kennedy came here a couple of years ago, I took her to the Lamar House, and she toured the place for two hours and read everything that she could,” Mayfield said. “I even did a tour to a group of Iraqis who were here to buy army cars from Holly Springs. I had an interpreter that would take my English and translate it to Farsi.”
Typically, Mayfield guides the Double Decker tour around the Square through North Lamar and onto campus.
“Sometimes, we take them to see Faulkner’s grave,” Mayfield said. “I always tell them about the whiskey bottles, and they accuse me of putting them there, but we all know they could go any day and see that.”
Another one of Mayfield’s typical tour stops in Oxford is the “Sears House.”
“The house was ordered from a Sears’s catalogue back in 1920. It was delivered on the railways express,” Mayfield said. “All the pieces were numbered, and you just put them together.”
When asked to name a favorite spot in Oxford, Mayfield pointed to Square Books.
”Everything is great in Oxford – the food, the books. Square Books is so fantastic,” Mayfield said. “Richard (Howorth) brings in great writers to Oxford.”
A member of the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation, Mayfield is very focused on preserving Oxford’s small town charm and lively history.
“In ten years, I hope Oxford doesn’t lose its small town character, but I’m afraid it will,” Mayfield said. “We have to keep the inner city like it is and not lose anymore.”
Around Oxford, Mayfield’s opinion is highly valued, and he is known for his enthusiastic spirit and endless knowledge of the town. Katie Kaiser, visitor services coordinator at Visit Oxford and Ole Miss graduate, refers to Mayfield as “the guru of Oxford.”
“He knows the ins-and-outs and all of the personal stories of people that lived in Oxford,” she said. “You don’t get that from a history book.”
Most recently, Visit Oxford and Mayfield have partnered with Oxford’s newest trend – the pedicabs. Those taking a pedicab tour can experience Oxford while Mayfield guides them through a voice-over recording.
May Allyn Hedges, travel marketing professional director of Visit Oxford, also praised Mayfield.
“He is just so knowledgeable,” Hedges said. “I learn something new from him every time I go on a tour. He is such an asset to our office and highlights the rich history that Oxford has.”
To experience Jack Mayfield’s tour of Oxford, be sure to catch one of the Double Decker bus tours, which are every Friday before home football games until Nov. 7. Tickets are $5, and the tours start at 2 p.m. at the Visit Oxford tourism office at 415 South Lamar Blvd.
