J.B. Woods Park is named for J.B. Woods, a grocer, hotel owner-operator, community leader, Republican Sixth Congressional District chairman from 1924 to 1940, a national convention delegate in 1936, and a leader of Black Mississippi Republicans from 1920 to 1940. The Wood Building was home to Wood's Grocery Store, Hotel and Sewing Shop, Harper's TV Repair, the C.O.F.O. office during the 1960s Civil Rights Era, Denard's Photo in the late 1960s, and a pool hall. Wood's Building burned down in the late 1990s.