text:
Wesson, Mississippi

Wesson is a town in Copiah and Lincoln counties, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,925 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The town of Wesson was founded in 1864, during the Civil War, by Col. James Madison Wesson. Having lost his mills at Bankston, Wesson relocated to the town that now bears his name. There he built the Mississippi Manufacturing Company which produced a fine quality cotton fabric. In 1871 he sold the mill to William Oliver and John T. Hardy who renamed it the Mississippi Mills.

The mills became famous for the quality of cotton fabric produced which was dubbed "Mississippi silk" at the Centennial celebration of 1876. A product of the Industrial Revolution, the mills in Wesson began to utilize the new technology of the rapidly changing age. One year after Thomas Edison perfected the light bulb, the Mississippi Mills put them to use. It was said that passengers on the evening train would rush to the windows when passing through Wesson in order to see the marvelous lights.

This prosperity, however, came to an end after the death of Captain Oliver in 1891. Financial difficulties followed by the economic Panic of 1893, family conflict, and labor disputes caused the mills to fall into receivership in the early 1900s. Eventually, the mills were dismantled and sold for scrap during the First World War.

The first public school in Wesson was built in 1875, and the community college was added in 1928.

Geography
Wesson is located in southernmost Copiah County. Small portions of the town extend south and east into Lincoln County. U.S. Route 51 passes through the town, leading north 11 mi to Hazlehurst, the Copiah county seat, and south 9 mi to Brookhaven. Exit 48 on Interstate 55 is located 3.5 mi west of town on Mount Zion Road.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.5 km2, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,833 people, 609 households, and 429 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,693 people, 430 households, and 319 families residing in the town. The population density was 736.0 PD/sqmi. There were 471 housing units at an average density of 204.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 77.73% White, 19.73% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.83% of the population.

There were 430 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.6% under the age of 18, 36.1% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,021, and the median income for a family was $41,731. Males had a median income of $34,375 versus $19,732 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,432. About 9.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Copiah-Lincoln Community College provides academic courses equivalent to the first two years of college or university work that can apply to a baccalaureate or professional degree. Co-Lin also offers programs to prepare students for employment and community service, as well as programs for workers to update their skills or learn new ones. The main campus is located in Wesson, while another campus is located in Natchez, and a facility is located in Magee.

Copiah-Lincoln Agricultural High School, through the joint efforts of Copiah and Lincoln counties, was established in the fall of 1915 at Wesson, on the edge of Copiah County. During its early years, the high school was a boarding school, serving the rural districts of those counties. However, as consolidation of local schools progressed within the counties, practically every family in each county had access to an accredited high school. This availability of local schools created a new role for the agricultural school.

Educators in the agricultural high school and in the county public schools became aware that the youth of Copiah and Lincoln counties needed educational opportunities beyond 12th grade. To meet this need, Copiah-Lincoln Community College was organized during the summer of 1928 under the authority of Section 308, Chapter 283, of the General Laws of the State of Mississippi of 1924. Although an enrollment of about 50 students was anticipated that first year, the actual enrollment was more than 90.

Since its establishment in 1928, Copiah-Lincoln has continued to grow and now occupies a prominent position in the state's educational system with an enrollment of over 2,000 and a physical plant valued at more than $35 million.

In 1934, the officials of Simpson County requested an opportunity to join in the rights and benefits of the public junior college. Accordingly, the Copiah-Lincoln Board of Trustees accepted Simpson as a cooperating county.

Since that time four additional counties have joined in the support of Copiah-Lincoln: Franklin County in 1948; Lawrence County in 1965; Jefferson County in 1967; and Adams County in 1971.

In the fall of 1978, the Copiah County superintendent of education assumed responsibility for the high school. It was renamed Wesson High School. During the fall of 1979, Wesson High School was moved to a new facility in Wesson. Eventually it was renamed Wesson Attendance Center.

The Town of Wesson is served by the Copiah County School District.

Notable people

 * Booker Brown, former professional football offensive tackle
 * Lawrence R. Ellzey, U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 7th congressional district from 1932 to 1935
 * Bertha LaBranche Johnson, educator and clubwoman
 * Houston Stackhouse, Delta blues guitarist and singer

title: Wesson, Mississippi


text:
Collins, Mississippi

Collins is a city in Covington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,586 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Covington County.

From Williamsburg Depot to Collins
Collins was originally incorporated as Williamsburg Depot in 1899. The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad had completed construction, and bypassed Williamsburg, the county seat at that time. The sawmills moved to the new town of Williamsburg Depot in order to be closer to the railroad. As lumber was an important industry during the time, the town moved with them. Not long after, Williamsburg Depot grew to a town of 6,000 - 7,000 people.

Eventually, the difficulties of having such a long town name, Williamsburg Depot, became clear. The length caused many people to write it over their stamps, voiding the postage. In order to correct this issue, the postmaster asked to have the town name changed in 1905, and the postal service came up with a short and easy name "Bad". For reasons that may be clear, the residents rejected this name, and eventually came up with Collins, in honor of Fred W. Collins, leader of the state's Republican party and U. S. Marshal for the Southern District of Mississippi. The town's name was officially changed on November 24, 1906.

Becoming the county seat
In 1906, a portion of the west side of Covington County became Jefferson Davis County. As a result, Williamsburg lost its position at the center of the county, and a new county seat was needed. Collins eventually emerged over Seminary and Ora, Mississippi, and a new county courthouse was built. The first court place was held in 1908.

Decline and resurgence
Eventually, the lumber industry in Collins exhausted the timber resources and moved. The town population dwindled from 7,000 to 700. However, industry began to return to the town in 1936 when U.S. 49 and U.S. 84 were built, putting the town at the crossroads of these two major highways. In addition, the Plantation Pipeline was run from Baton Rouge to the east coast. It passed through the community of Kola, which was soon annexed by Collins.

Hurricane Katrina and Duryea Adopt-A-Town
In September 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Collins. As most aid agencies were concentrating on major metropolitan areas such as New Orleans, small towns like Collins were seemingly overlooked. Duryea, Pennsylvania, which had experienced similar flooding as the result of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, sought a town similar in size and demographics to "adopt" and help rebuild after the devastation wrought by the largest natural disaster in the history of the town. By hosting a bazaar and through other various fundraising efforts, Duryea helped rebuild. Collins Mayor V.O. Smith and his wife, Ada, flew to Duryea to thank their mayor Keith Moss, organizer Trina Moss and the townspeople of Duryea. This led to a bond between the two towns and has included several visits to both towns.

Geography
Collins is located near the center of Covington County, along the southwest side of Okatoma Creek, a tributary of the Bowie River and part of the Pascagoula River watershed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Collins has a total area of 20.7 km2, of which 20.6 km2 is land and 0.1 km2, or 0.37%, is water.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,342 people, 905 households, and 661 families residing in the city.

Okatoma Festival
Named after the Okatoma Creek, which flows through the county, the Okatoma Festival is held the first Saturday in May. It is held in downtown Collins, and features carnival rides, vendor booths, and local cuisine. In addition, there is a 5K run held in the morning.

Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch
On Saturdays and Sundays, from the middle of September to the beginning of November, Mitchell Farms hosts the Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch & Maze. The event consists of many attractions, such as wagon rides, corn maze, animal barn, and a goat castle.

Christmas in the Park
From the day after Thanksgiving to the day after Christmas, the Chamber of Commerce hosts "Christmas in the Park". This is a massive, drive through light display that takes up the entirety of Bettie D. Robertson Memorial Park. All items in the display are donations from local individuals. It features secular and religious aspects of the holiday.

The city has recently come under scrutiny as a result of this display. On October 19, 2015, the Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter to the City of Collins, on behalf of a local citizen, asking for displays of a religious nature to be removed from the Bettie D. Robertson City Park. The letter stated that, among other things, permanent displays of 3 Latin crosses, a statue of Jesus carrying a cross, and a globe with City of Collins displayed above Matthew 8:12 "I am the Light of the World" are unconstitutional and "tremendously un-welcoming to non-Christians". It asks for immediate removal of the displays from Bettie D. Robertson Park. The letter was met with great hostility from the citizens, with some calling for the complainant to leave the county.

Tourism
The city features Grand Paradise Water Park. In addition, Mitchell Farms offers tours of the original farm buildings and event planning services, in addition to seasonal fruits and vegetables. Okatoma Golf club provides an 18-hole course in Oak Hills Subdivision.

Parks and recreation
There are two major parks in the city of Collins: Bettie D. Robertson and Westside Park. Robertson Park is home to Christmas in the Park, and features athletic fields, a walking track and playground. There is also a duck pond and bird sanctuary. Westside Park features basketball courts and a playground as well.

Education
The city of Collins is served Covington County School District. There are three schools within Collins:

 * Collins Elementary (K-4)
 * Carver Middle School (5-8)
 * Collins High School (9-12)

The school district also has a Vocational Center located in Collins, that encompasses, but is not limited to, programs of study such as Health Sciences, Construction Trades, Teacher Academy, and Business & Marketing.

Media
The city is served by the News-Commercial, a local paper based out of Collins. The paper publishes every Wednesday. The Clarion-Ledger, a regional paper based in Jackson, is available as well.

Both WDAM and WHLT provide the city with local over-the-air television service. The former is based out of Laurel, MS, while the latter is based out of Hattiesburg, MS. There is not a local cable station located within the city.

Transportation
The city of Collins lies near the intersection of two major highways, U.S. Routes 49 and 84. U.S. 49 passes through the city southwest of the downtown; it leads 63 mi northwest to Jackson, the state capital, and 28 mi southeast to Hattiesburg. U.S. 84 bypasses the center of the city, crossing U.S. 49 at an interchange in the northern part of the city, and leads east 27 mi to Laurel and west 55 mi to the vicinity of Brookhaven.

There is not a mass transit system in place in the city of Collins; as a result, many residents drive cars in their daily lives. However, there are sidewalks in many of the subdivisions around the city that link with the city center.

Utilities
The city is served by Southern Pines Electric Power Association, out of Taylorsville, MS.

Healthcare
The city is served by Covington County Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital that opened in 1951. The hospital is active in the community, funding local educational extra-curricular activities and after school programs.

Notable people

 * Dana Andrews, film legend born on a farmstead near Collins, raised in Huntsville, Texas
 * L. Venchael Booth, Baptist minister
 * Correll Buckhalter, former NFL running back
 * Demario Davis, NFL linebacker
 * Billy Hamilton, professional baseball player (Kansas City Royals)
 * Dale Houston, singer
 * Mack A. Jordan, United States Army soldier during the Korean War who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
 * Randolph Keys, NBA player
 * Brandon McDonald, former NFL cornerback
 * Gerald McRaney, actor
 * Marilyn Mims, soprano with the Metropolitan Opera

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Collins, Mississippi


text:
Mount Olive, Mississippi

Mount Olive is a town in Covington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 895 at the 2020 census.

History
The town of Mount Olive was incorporated on May 18, 1900, making the town older than Magee to the north and older than Collins to the south. The railroad tracks were completed in 1899. The population of Mount Olive in 2016 was 975.

Geography
U.S. Route 49, a four-lane divided highway, follows the western border of the town and leads northwest 52 mi to Jackson, the state capital, and 38 mi southeast to Hattiesburg. Mississippi Highway 35 passes through the southern end of town and leads northeast 10 mi to Mize and southwest 39 mi to Columbia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.0 km2, all land. It is in the valley of Okatoma Creek, part of the Pascagoula River watershed.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 895 people, 589 households, and 492 families residing in the town.

As of the census of 2000, there were 893 people, 348 households, and 239 families residing in the town. The population density was 738.5 PD/sqmi. There were 396 housing units at an average density of 327.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 46.81% White, 51.96% African American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 348 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were married couples living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,019, and the median income for a family was $26,146. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $16,719 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,008. About 26.9% of families and 34.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.4% of those under age 18 and 24.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The town of Mount Olive is served by the Covington County School District. It is served by Mount Olive Elementary School and Mount Olive High School.

Notable people

 * Rose Bascom (1922-1993), trick roper, trick rider, Hollywood movie actress, Mississippi Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee
 * Howard Easterling, Negro league baseball third baseman
 * W. Ralph Eubanks, author, journalist, professor
 * Fred McNair, former professional football quarterback and head coach of Alcorn State and the brother of Steve McNair
 * Steve McNair (1973-2009), All-Pro quarterback for the Tennessee Titans
 * Hannah Roberts, Miss Mississippi 2015, 1st runner-up to Miss America 2016

title: Mount Olive, Mississippi


text:
Seminary, Mississippi

Seminary is a town in Covington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 314 at the 2010 census.

Okatoma Creek, part of the Pascagoula River watershed, runs through Seminary, and is popular for canoeing and kayaking.

1846-1890
The area was sparsely populated prior to the Civil War. In the same location as where the town sits today, Covington County resident and Presbyterian pastor A. R. Graves opened Zion Seminary, a boarding school for men and women, in 1845. The seminary offered courses in law, medicine, and religious studies. At its largest, the seminary had more than 500 students. Dormitories and cottages housed them. During the Civil War, all but one building of Zion Seminary burned. Local legend has it that the buildings were burned by Union sympathizers, but it is not clear if this is true. The seminary was in operation until it burned again in 1890. The site of the Zion Seminary was then used to build Seminary Attendance Center; the school still sits today upon this location in the center of town.

1899: The town is born
In the late 1800s, across the Piney Woods region of South Mississippi, lumber companies cut the virgin timber from these areas. Towns began springing up along railroads, then the main means of transportation. The population of Seminary began to boom in the late 1800s, but when the timber had been cut, the boom continued on to the next community. In the late 1800s, the residents petitioned the state of Mississippi to incorporate into a municipality, and the charter was granted in 1899. The newborn town's citizens chose the name "Seminary" to keep alive the memory of the Zion Seminary.

Modern-day Seminary
Seminary is still a very small town, with only a handful of businesses, including stores, two banks, two doctor's offices, a pharmacy, an art studio, a hardware store, a barber shop, and one restaurant. The rural area around Seminary, however, is growing significantly. The population of the area, including the town of Seminary and the rural, unincorporated communities of Okahay, Eminence, Sanford, Lux, Foxtrot, Ora, Lone Star, and Richmond, grew by more than 10% between the 2000 and 2010 censuses

This significant growth is likely a result of a good school system and the area's proximity to Hattiesburg, which lies 10–20 minutes south of the Seminary area. New businesses are springing up on Highway 49 just outside the town's corporate limits.

Geography
Seminary is located in south-central Covington County. U.S. Highway 49 passes west of the town, leading northwest 7 mi to Collins, the county seat, and southeast 22 mi to Hattiesburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 km2, of which 0.02 km2, or 0.44%, is water. Okatoma Creek travels along the western edge of the town.

2010 Census
As of the census of 2010, there were 314 people, and 148 households. The racial makeup of the town was 94.9% White, 3.5% African American, 0.60% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 19.7% from 18 to 35, 18.2% from 35 to 49, 20.4% from 50 to 64, and 21.7% over age 65. For every 100 females, there were 73.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,857. About 3.6% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census
As of the census of 2000, there were 335 people, 141 households, and 97 families residing in the town. The population density was 352.9 PD/sqmi. There were 150 housing units at an average density of 158.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.31% White, 1.19% African American, 0.90% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

There were 141 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,857. About 3.6% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.3% of those under age 18 and 16.9% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
Churches within the town limits include St. Paul Baptist Church, Seminary Church of Christ, Seminary Methodist Church, and Grace Outreach Baptist Church.

Government
The three precincts in the Seminary area — Seminary, Sanford, and Richmond — each cast about 90 percent of their votes for the Republican nominee for U.S. President. On the county level, however, these areas are represented by supervisors Mason Stringer and John Holifield, both Democrats.

On October 8, 2015, six-term Mayor Billy Karolyi, Mayor Pro-Tem David Daniels, the city clerk, and the public works director all submitted their resignations.

Education
The city of Seminary is served Covington County School District. There are three schools within Seminary:
 * Seminary Elementary (K-4)
 * Seminary Middle School (5-8)
 * Seminary High School (9-12)

Notable people

 * Martin Sennet Conner, governor of Mississippi (1932–1936)
 * Dale Houston, country music singer-songwriter
 * Sarah Cothran, singer-songwriter
 * John Wilson Watson, mayor of Seminary (1882–1892), representative in Mississippi State Legislature (1892–1894), House of Representatives (1911)

title: Seminary, Mississippi


text:
Hernando, Mississippi

Hernando is the county seat of DeSoto County, on the northwestern border of Mississippi, United States. The population was 17,138 according to the 2020 census records. It is located on the south side of the Memphis, Tennessee metro area. U.S. Route 51 and the I-55 freeway traverse the city from north to south, and the I-69 freeway crosses the city from east to west. The county courthouse is located within Hernando's historic downtown square. It is located at the intersection of Commerce Street and present-day U.S. 51.

History
At the time of encounters by French and Spanish colonists, the Chickasaw people had long inhabited this area. France had developed colonial settlements along the Gulf Coast, to the north on the middle Mississippi River in what was called the Illinois Country, and in New France (present-day Quebec in Canada). An 18th-century French colonial log house (see first photo in gallery below) in Hernando is a reminder of typical dwellings built in their settlements in the Illinois country, such as in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. The French and French Canadians had a wide trading network with various American Indian tribes along this river, for instance in Natchez.

Following the Indian Removal Act in 1830 and under pressure from the United States, the Chickasaw finally signed a treaty to cede most of their lands in this area to the US. Most of the tribe were removed to west of the Mississippi River in Indian Territory.

This town was first called Jefferson by its new European American settlers. It was renamed as Hernando in 1832, after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. He was the first European to explore the Mississippi River.

During the early 20th century, numerous blues musicians developed in Hernando. African Americans had developed a strong musical tradition in areas along the Mississippi River, where many had grown up in families working as sharecroppers on cotton plantations. During the Great Migration of the first half of the 20th century, many blues musicians migrated north, taking their music to Chicago and helping create the culture of that city.

Geography
Hernando is in the center of DeSoto County, bordered to the north by the city of Southaven. Via Interstate 55 or US 51, Memphis, Tennessee is 25 mi north. It is 15 mi via the same road to the south to Senatobia. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Hernando has a total area of 66.9 sqkm, of which 66.6 sqkm is land, and 0.3 sqkm, or 0.39%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hernando has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 17,138 people, 5,770 households, and 4,237 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,812 people, 2,482 households, and 1,809 families residing in the city. The population density was 603.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,720 housing units at an average density of 240.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 76.35% White, 21.48% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.04% of the population.

There were 2,482 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,217, and the median income for a family was $51,155. Males had a median income of $39,706 versus $25,685 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,731. About 6.5% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Hernando is home to 5 public schools and is served by the DeSoto County School District.

Media

 * DeSoto Times-Tribune

Notable people

 * Garfield Akers, blues musician
 * DeAundre Alford, cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
 * George "Mojo" Buford, blues musician
 * Louis Bullard, former professional football player
 * Paul Burlison, musician and member of The Rock and Roll Trio
 * Melissa Cookston, chef and 7-time World Barbecue Champion
 * Kevin Dockery, former professional football player
 * Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate general in Civil War
 * Marshall Grant, former bass player for Johnny Cash
 * Jim Jackson, blues musician
 * James Oliver, first African-American to graduate from UMMC
 * Felix LaBauve (1809–1879), French-born American early settler and community leader in Mississippi
 * Ricky Robertson, track and field high jumper, 2016 Olympian, 10-time NCAA All-American at Ole Miss
 * Deljuan Robinson, former professional football player
 * Bradley Sowell, former professional football player
 * Garrison Starr, singer/songwriter
 * Frank Stokes, blues musician
 * Robert Wilkins, blues musician
 * Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves 3rd baseman
 * Gary Parrish, sports columnist, studio analyst and sideline reporter for the CBS Sports Network, host of the CBS Sports Eye On College Basketball podcast

title: Hernando, Mississippi


text:
Lynchburg, Mississippi

Lynchburg is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,437 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Lynchburg is located in northwestern DeSoto County at 34.96583°N, -90.10278°W (34.965750, -90.102908). It is bordered to the east by the city of Horn Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Lynchburg CDP has a total area of 5.1 sqkm, of which 5.0 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 1.80%, is water. The area of the CDP decreased from 9.1 sqkm at the 2000 census due to annexation of the eastern part of the CDP by the city of Horn Lake.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,959 people, 1,037 households, and 850 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 859.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,087 housing units at an average density of 315.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.17% White, 1.99% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.91% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.12% of the population.

There were 1,037 households, out of which 41.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,714, and the median income for a family was $61,495. Males had a median income of $41,586 versus $25,332 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $20,455. About 5.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Lynchburg is served by the DeSoto County School District.

title: Lynchburg, Mississippi


text:
Memphis, Mississippi

Memphis was a village in DeSoto County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 87 at the 2000 census. In 2004, the village of Memphis officially became part of the town of Walls.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.4 mi2, of which 4.3 mi2 is land and 0.1 mi2 (1.14%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 87 people, 27 households, and 25 families residing in the village. The population density was 20.2 /mi2. There were 27 housing units at an average density of 6.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the village was 91.95% White, 6.90% African American and 1.15% Pacific Islander.

There were 27 households, out of which 51.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 85.2% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.4% were non-families. 3.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.22 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the village the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $74,375, and the median income for a family was $76,109. Males had a median income of $49,583 versus $12,083 for females. The per capita income for the village was $49,289. None of the population was below the poverty line.

Education
The Village of Memphis is served by the DeSoto County School District.

title: Memphis, Mississippi


text:
Olive Branch, Mississippi

Olive Branch is the 6th most populous city in Mississippi, US, located in DeSoto County. At the 2020 census the population was 39,711. Olive Branch is part of the Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region that consists of three counties in southwest Tennessee, five counties in northwest Mississippi, and two counties in eastern Arkansas. Olive Branch was the fastest-growing city in the United States, with a growth rate of 838% as of 2010 in a thirty year time frame. Along with other rapidly growing places in DeSoto County, Olive Branch attributes most of its growth and development to the exodus of large numbers of families from central Memphis.

History
The first permanent Anglo settlers in the area were Stephen Flinn and his wife's brother-in-law, Milton Blocker. On April 13, 1836, they purchased 1280 acre of land – known as Sections 34 and 35 – in newly created DeSoto County from Chickasaw chief Lush-Pun-Tubby for $1,600, equal to $ today. Flinn conveyed the land to Blocker for $6,400 (equal to $ today) in 1840. A small community initially known as "Cowpens" sprang up in the early 1840s. The name was changed to "Watson's Crossroads" in 1842. In 1846, when a post office was established, the name was changed again to "Olive Branch". Frances Wilson Blocker, a descendant of one of the community's founders, suggested the name as a way to symbolize the biblical story of a dove bringing a branch to Noah. With the exception of a few skirmishes occurring in an area southwest of the community, Olive Branch escaped much of the destruction and violence during the Civil War.

Olive Branch was incorporated as a town on May 1, 1874. Ben Wesson was elected as the first mayor. At the first census conducted after incorporation in 1880, the population was 73. Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham built a railroad line through Olive Branch in 1885, connecting the town to Memphis and Birmingham. The town was officially designated a village on March 6, 1888.

At the turn of the 20th century, nearly 200 people lived in Olive Branch. In the ensuing years, several modern amenities were introduced in the village, including the first cotton gin (1910), a public water system (1922), and electrical service (1927). T.H. Norvell's cheese plant (at the side of present-day CadenceBank) opened in 1929, becoming the first major industry in Olive Branch. A public sewer system was built, and local streets were paved c. 1940. The village experienced modest growth during the next few decades, rising from 441 in the 1940 census, to 534 in 1950, and 642 in 1960. Growth accelerated in the 1960s, and by 1970 the population had more than doubled to 1,513. In 1971, a site located a few miles from downtown Olive Branch was chosen as the home of Holiday Inn University and Conference Center. Simultaneous with construction of the university, Holiday Inn began work on a 3000 acre industrial park. This was followed by the opening of Olive Branch Airport in January 1973. With a runway length of 6000 ft, it is currently one of Mississippi's five most active airports for landings and takeoffs. U.S. Highway 78 was built through Olive Branch in 1974. Such developments and infrastructure improvements brought an influx of jobs, industries, and people to DeSoto County and Olive Branch.

The 1990s were a period of explosive growth in the city; 3,567 people lived in Olive Branch at the 1990 census. In 1996, a land annexation to the west doubled the city's total land area. By 2000, the population had risen to 21,054, a 490 percent increase over the 1990 figure.

Geography and climate
Olive Branch is located in northeastern DeSoto County, at the junction of U.S. Route 78, and State Highways 302 (known locally as Goodman Road) and 305 (Germantown Road/Cockrum Street). Via US 78 it is 22 mi northwest to the center of Memphis.

The city's northern border is the Mississippi/Tennessee state line. The Memphis city limits touch the western portion of Olive Branch's northern border. The city of Southaven, Mississippi, borders Olive Branch on the west, and unincorporated areas border the city to the east and south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Olive Branch has a total area of 95.6 km2, of which 95.0 km2 is land and 0.5 km2, or 0.56%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 39,711 people, 13,252 households, and 9,645 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 33,484 people. The racial makeup of the city was 70.2% White, 23.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, and Hispanic or Latino people were 4.2% of the population. The median income for a household in the city was $68,287, and the median income for a family was $75,107.

Economy
Many locally owned, small businesses have been operating in Olive Branch for several decades. Examples are Old Style Barbecue and Olive Branch Printing. Several regional businesses, such as Bancorpsouth and Holiday Inn, are also located in the area. In 2003 Memphis lost its only permanent indoor ice rink with the closure of the troubled Mall of Memphis. A new rink opened in Olive Branch in August 2011.

Education
Olive Branch is served by the DeSoto County School District. Private schools include:
 * Northpoint Christian School
 * Cross Creek Christian Academy
 * Park Academy School
 * Desoto County Academy

Highways
U.S. Route 78, which turns into Lamar Avenue after crossing the border in Memphis, Mississippi Highway 302 (MS-302/Goodman Road), and Mississippi Highway 305 (Cockrum Road, Germantown Road) are the main thoroughfares in the Olive Branch area.

Railroad
A railroad line to Birmingham from Memphis runs through Olive Branch. It is used by BNSF.

R.J. Corman’s Tennessee Terminal performs industrial switching in the Olive Branch industrial park, interchanging with the BNSF Memphis to Birmingham mainline.

Airport
Olive Branch is served by Olive Branch Airport. The closest airport with commercial air service is Memphis International Airport, which is about 30 minutes by car from Olive Branch.

Notable people

 * Daren Bates, Tennessee Titans linebacker
 * Charles Boyce, cartoonist, creator of Compu-toon
 * Carl Byrum, Buffalo Bills running back
 * Shon Coleman, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle
 * Jalen Collins, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
 * Ed Easley, baseball player, St. Louis Cardinals catcher
 * Andy Fletcher, Major League Baseball umpire
 * Mark Guy, football player
 * Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR driver, Daytona 500 winner
 * Marko Stunt, All Elite Wrestling professional wrestler
 * K. J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks linebacker

title: Olive Branch, Mississippi


text:
Petal, Mississippi

Petal is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, along the Leaf River. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,454 in the 2010 census, increasing to 11,010 in the 2020 census.

History
The first postmaster of Petal was Irving A. Polk. The post office was established in 1903 and was named after the daughter of a first settler. It is the only city in the U.S. with this name. Petal incorporated on April 5, 1974. Petal was a community filled with farmers. This is slowly changing with new businesses coming into the city.

The International Checker Hall of Fame was located in Petal until September 29, 2007, when 20000 sqft of the 35000 sqft building caught fire.

Petal was extensively damaged by an EF3 tornado on January 21, 2017.

Geography
As of the 2010 census, the city had a total area of 44.4 sqkm, of which 43.7 sqkm was land and 0.7 sqkm, or 1.62%, was water. The city's area had increased by nearly 75% since 2000, following an annexation effort approved in 2002. Major sub-communities as of the annex are Macedonia, Barrontown, Sunrise, and Leeville. The Harvey community (currently downtown Petal) hosts city departments.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,454 people, 3,918 households, and 2,867 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.8 people per square mile. There were 4,261 housing units at an average density of 331.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 86.1% White, 9.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 3,918 households, out of which 23.5% had own children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals under 18 and 26.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,637, and the median income for a family was $35,343. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,741 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 11,010 people, 3,655 households, and 2,746 families residing in the city.

Education
The city is served by the Petal School District.

Notable people

 * Larry Byrd, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
 * William Leon Clark, former Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
 * Percy Dale East, journalist
 * Demarcus Evans, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Tom King, former member of the Mississippi State Senate
 * Dan M. Lee, Justice of the Supreme Court of Mississippi from 1981 to 1998
 * Kris Mangum, professional football player
 * Cliff Pace, 43rd World Champion of Bass Fishing, 2013 Bassmaster Classic
 * Javon Patterson, professional football player
 * Ray Perkins, University of Alabama wide receiver; attended Petal High School, where he was an All-American
 * Nate Rolison, former Major League Baseball first baseman
 * Charles Walker, former Mississippi state checkers champion
 * Tom Walters, safety for the Washington Redskins

title: Petal, Mississippi


text:
Bude, Mississippi

Bude is a town in Franklin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2010 census. Bude is located on the north bank of the Homochitto River, which bisects the county on a diagonal running from northeast to southwest, where it flows on its way to the Mississippi River. U.S. Routes 98 and 84 run by Bude.

American Railcar Industries operates a large maintenance shop in Bude.

Bude appeared in a March 2017 segment of 60 Minutes because its chess team won the state championship.

History
Bude was founded by European Americans in 1912 and named for the former home in England of Mrs. F.L. Peck, whose husband was one of the town's founders.

Geography
Bude is located in central Franklin County. It is 3 mi east of Meadville, the county seat. US 84 leads east 28 mi to Brookhaven, and US 98 leads southeast 35 mi to McComb. The two highways together lead west 36 mi to Natchez.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Bude has a total area of 3.7 km2, of which 0.01 sqkm, or 0.33%, is water.

As the town is in the center of southwest Mississippi, there is a Mississippi Public Broadcasting radio and TV antenna located in the town.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 780 people, 359 households, and 175 families residing in the town.

Economy
The First and Main Cafe is located in Bude.

Education
Bude is served by the Franklin County School District.

In popular culture
Bude is mentioned in John Grisham's novel The Chamber: "The white male selected a phone number. His conversation went something like this: 'Hello, this is Lester Crosby, from Bude, Mississippi. I'm calling about the execution of Sam Cayhall.  Yes ma'am.  My number?  It's 555-9084.  Yes, that's right, Bude, Mississippi, down here in Franklin County.'"

Notable people

 * Regina B. Schofield, former U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. At Schofield's confirmation hearing in 2005, Trent Lott, born in Grenada, said:"I am very proud of her background, being from Bude, Mississippi. It is a long way from Bude, Mississippi, to Washington, D.C., and the Justice Department. In fact, if I gave you a map, you probably couldn't find it, but you have got some areas in Kansas pretty far out at the end of the road, too. It is a lot of beautiful people, and I know that community is very proud of Regina and her achievements."

title: Bude, Mississippi


text:
Roxie, Mississippi

Roxie is a town in Franklin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 497 at the 2010 census, down from 569 at the 2000 census. This rural town developed with the construction of railroads in the area.

History
Roxie was founded in 1886 on a plot of farmland donated by John Quincy Adams Graves, who was the County Supervisor and a former soldier in the Regimental Band of the 4th Volunteer Mississippi Regiment during the Civil War. The town was named in honor of Graves' newborn daughter.

Roxie was incorporated in 1890.

The town was located at the crossroads of the Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railway and the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. Most of the early residents were employed by the railroads or worked in the logging industry and sawmills.

Roxie's children attended the Roxie School, whose motto was Home of the Tigers. In 1962, the high school portion of the school shut down, and all students from grades 9 to 12 were bused to the new Franklin High School in Meadville. Roxie School continued for a few years after as an elementary school.

Geography
Roxie is located in western Franklin County. U.S. Routes 84 and 98 pass through the town, leading east 11 mi to Meadville, the county seat, and west 22 mi to Natchez.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Roxie has a total area of 2.9 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 469 people, 136 households, and 119 families residing in the town.

Recreation
Significant forests and recreation areas are found nearby, including:
 * Clear Springs Recreation Area, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
 * Homochitto National Forest
 * Sandy Creek Wildlife Management Area

Education
Roxie is served by the Franklin County School District.

Notable people

 * Cat Iron, blues singer and guitarist
 * James Ford Seale, Ku Klux Klan member convicted of conspiracy and of the 1964 kidnappings of Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore, two young African-American men who were drowned by him and fellow conspirators.
 * Richard Nathaniel Wright (1908 – 1960), African-American author of novels, short stories and non-fiction. Wright was the grandson of slaves, and much of his literature concerned racial themes, especially those involving the struggles of African-Americans during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.

title: Roxie, Mississippi


text:
Lucedale, Mississippi

Lucedale is a city in George County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,923 at the 2010 census, up from 2,458 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of George County.

History
Lucedale was one of several settlements created after the Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad penetrated northern Jackson County (now George County) in the late 1890s.

Lucedale was founded in 1901, and was named after Gregory Marston Luce, who operated a lumber business there.

In 1906, a black man was hanged from a telegraph pole near the Lucedale railroad depot by a crowd of 300, after allegedly assaulting a white woman.

Mississippi's first execution by electrocution was administered to a convicted wife-killer in Lucedale in 1940, using the only portable electric chair ever employed in the United States. The "death wagon" and chair had been on display outside the Mississippi capitol prior to arriving in Lucedale, and photos of the execution were published in state newspapers, the executioner commenting: "he died with tears in his eyes for the efficient care I took to give him a good clean burning".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Lucedale has a total area of 16.6 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,869 people, 975 households, and 504 families residing in the city.

Arts and culture
Lucedale Public Library is part of the Jackson-George Regional Library System.

Education
Lucedale is served by the George County School District. As of 2010, the district spends US$6,732 per pupil—63% on instruction, 30% on support services, and 7% on other elementary and secondary expenditures—and 15 students existed for every full-time equivalent teacher.

Highways

 * Mississippi Highway 198 passes through the city as Main Street
 * US 98
 * Highway 63

Public safety
Lucedale Police Department consists of a police chief, 11 patrolmen, and one investigator. Lucedale Fire Department was established in 1901, and consists of a fire chief, three firemen, and four volunteer firemen.

Healthcare
George Regional Hospital in Lucedale is a 50-bed, non-profit, community owned hospital serving George County, Greene County, Stone County, and northern Jackson County.

Notable people

 * Ruthie Bolton, Olympic gold medalist basketball player
 * Janice Lawrence Braxton, Olympic gold medalist basketball player
 * Ty Fryfogle, football wide receiver for the Indiana Hoosiers
 * Carolyn Haines, author, also credited as Caroline Burnes
 * Annibel Jenkins, English professor, scholar
 * Alonzo Lawrence, football defensive back
 * Jake W. Lindsey, recipient of the Medal of Honor
 * Dee McCann, professional football player
 * Doug McLeod, member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
 * Eric Moulds, professional football player
 * John Nix, professional football player
 * Justin Steele, professional baseball player
 * Claude Passeau, professional baseball player
 * McKinnley Jackson, professional football player

title: Lucedale, Mississippi


text:
Leakesville, Mississippi

Leakesville is a town in and the county seat of Greene County, Mississippi, United States. It is located along the Chickasawhay River in Greene County, Mississippi, United States. It is served by the junction of Mississippi routes 57 and 63. As of the 2010 census, the rural town population was 898, down from 1,026 at the 2000 census.

History
Like most of Mississippi, this area was part of the traditional territory of the historic Choctaw. Under the Indian Removal Act of 1830, they were forced to cede their lands in this area to the United States. The Choctaw were the first of the Southeast Five Civilized Tribes to be removed to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), west of the Mississippi River. Some members remained in the state and their descendants have maintained cultural identity. They gained federal recognition as the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

A post office called Leakesville has been in operation since 1829, when European Americans established a settlement here. The town was named for Walter Leake, third governor of Mississippi. The area was developed for cotton plantations in the nineteenth century, and remains mostly rural.

In 1927, an African-American man named Bernice Raspberry, aged 23, who had been arrested for alleged improper conduct with a white woman, was taken from the jail and lynched.

Geography
Leakesville is in southeastern Greene County, on the west side of the Chickasawhay River, a south-flowing tributary of the Pascagoula River. Via Mississippi Highway 63, it is 20 mi south to Lucedale and 19 mi northwest to Sand Hill. Via Highway 57, it is 24 mi north to State Line and 17 mi west to McLain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Leakesville has a total area of 4.1 km2, of which 0.01 sqkm, or 0.31%, is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,775 people, 340 households, and 241 families residing in the town. The sudden population increase and shift in racial demographics can be explained by the annexation of the South Mississippi Correctional Institution.

2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, There were 898 people living in the town. 78.0% were White, 20.0% African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% of some other race and 1.2% of two or more races. 2.3% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,026 people, 390 households, and 262 families living in the town. The population density was 647.9 PD/sqmi. There were 463 housing units at an average density of 292.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 79.92% White, 19.40% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.49% from other races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 390 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 66.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,731, and the median income for a family was $33,618. Males had a median income of $30,208 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,674. About 17.0% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The Mississippi Department of Corrections South Mississippi Correctional Institution is located in unincorporated Greene County, near Leakesville.

Education
Leakesville is served by the Greene County School District. Schools include Greene County High School, Leakesville Junior High School, and Leakesville Elementary School.

Notable people

 * Don Churchwell, NFL player
 * Kermit Davis, Head Coach at Ole Miss
 * Dennis DeBar, member of the Mississippi State Senate
 * Reed Green, former head football coach and athletic director for the University of Southern Mississippi
 * Bill Hicks, comedian, buried in Magnolia Cemetery
 * Jerry Lott, rockabilly singer
 * Wilmer Mizell, MLB pitcher and congressman
 * Walter Packer, NFL player

title: Leakesville, Mississippi


text:
McLain, Mississippi

McLain is a town in Greene County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 441 at the 2010 census, down from 603 at the 2000 census.

Natural disasters
In early spring 2016, McLain had major flooding which closed many roads and the school. On March 30, 2022, an EF2 tornado struck the town, causing considerable damage.

Geography
McLain is located in southwestern Greene County; the western border of the town follows the Perry County line. The town is on the western side of the valley of the Leaf River, a south-flowing tributary of the Pascagoula River.

U.S. Route 98 passes through the northern part of the town; the four-lane highway leads northwest 33 mi to Hattiesburg and southeast 60 mi to Mobile, Alabama. Mississippi Highway 57 passes through the east side of McLain, leading south 54 mi to U.S. Route 90 near Gautier and east 17 mi to Leakesville, the Greene County seat.

According to the United States Census Bureau, McLain has a total area of 8.9 km2, of which 8.8 km2 is land and 0.2 km2, or 1.82%, is water, consisting largely of the Leaf River, which flows along part of the eastern edge of the town.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McLain has a Humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, There were 441 people living in the town. 73.0% were White, 26.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, and 0.5% of two or more races. 0.7% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 603 people, 228 households, and 157 families living in the town. The population density was 177.7 PD/sqmi. There were 277 housing units at an average density of 81.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 63.68% White, 35.66% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 228 households, out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 22.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 35.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,000, and the median income for a family was $27,981. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $14,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,272. About 26.4% of families and 31.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.2% of those under age 18 and 28.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The mayor of McLain, Steve McCluskey, is Mississippi's first elected member of the Libertarian Party of Mississippi.

Education
McLain is served by the Greene County School District and the Mclain Attendance Center.

Infrastructure
McLain has a public library run by local citizens. There is also a volunteer fire department.

Notable people

 * Nathaniel Bolton, former professional football player
 * Ruthie Bolton, Olympic gold medalist; raised on a farm near McLain
 * Ed Freeman, Medal of Honor Recipient
 * De'Lance Turner, NFL running back

title: McLain, Mississippi


text:
Grenada, Mississippi

Grenada is a city in Grenada County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1836, the population was 13,092 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Grenada County.

History

Grenada was formed in 1836, after federal removal of the Choctaw people who had previously occupied this territory. It was the result of the union of the two adjacent towns (separated by the present-day Line Street) of Pittsburg and Tulahoma (or Tullahoma), founded, respectively, by Franklin Plummer and Hiram Runnels.

Development included stores and businesses that supported the county court and market days. Plantations were first developed along the Yalobusha River for transportation and access to water. Cotton was the major commodity crop, dependent on the labor of African slaves.

In 1851, Grenada townspeople founded the Yalobusha Baptist Female Institute for education of their young White women. In 1882, the school was taken over by the Methodists and renamed as Grenada College. Classified in the 20th century as a junior college, it encountered financial troubles during the Great Depression. The church closed the college in 1936 and transferred its assets to Millsaps College.

In the late 1850s, Grenada was one of the places Nathan Bedford Forrest sold slaves. His brother John N. Forrest had a house on a hill in West Grenada.

On December 20, 1862, Confederate general Earl Van Dorn, whose troops were encamped in Grenada, led the three brigades under his command in a raid that destroyed the Union supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi.

In 1885 two men, Perry McChristian and Felix Williams, were accused of murdering two peddlers and were lynched. During the lynching, they implicated two black men, Bartley James and John Campbell, who were then also lynched by a mob of White men.

Civil rights era
In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr. and Dick Gregory spent a week demonstrating in Grenada against discrimination and for voters' rights. During that time, town officials cooperated and protected marchers with local police. Six black voter registrars were hired and registered 1,000 black residents during that week. After the march passed through, the county fired the registrars and the town never entered the new black voters on official rolls; they had to start over again to gain official voter registration.

As the civil rights movement continued to press in 1966 and 1967 for voter registration and opportunities in employment, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) ran a civil rights organizing project in Grenada which lasted at least 11 months. They worked to register voters and gain concessions for hiring black Americans in local businesses and restaurants. These were still segregated, despite the federal anti-segregation and voting rights laws.

In August 1966, a federal judge ordered Grenada to allow black students to enroll in the previously all-White schools. White leaders used threats of eviction and firing to coerce black parents to withdraw their children from school. While the intimidation caused 200 out of 450 students to withdraw, the remaining 250 students attempted to enter school on September 12, 1966. A group of White people met them at the school and chased them away, pursuing them through the streets and beating the children with chains, pipes and clubs. The group went so far as to beat reporters as well. The group repeated this for the first week of school, while local law enforcement did not intervene. Federal protection for the children began on September 17, and 13 members of the group were arrested.

Thunder on Water
Grenada hosts the annual Thunder on Water Safe Boating Festival at Grenada Lake, typically held in June. This festival, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, has a variety of events including fishing tournaments, carnival rides and fireworks displays.

Industrial Growth
In recent years, Grenada has seen significant industrial growth. Milwaukee Tool announced a major expansion in 2022, creating 800 new jobs and establishing a new facility in the area. This expansion is part of a broader effort to bolster the local economy and provide new employment opportunities. Additionally, the Grenada Business and Technology Park North was awarded a $4.3 million MDA site development grant, further promoting industrial and technological growth in the area.

Geography
The Yalobusha River flows through Grenada. Grenada Lake is located a short distance east of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 30.0 sqmi, of which 30.0 sqmi is land and 0.03% is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,700 people, 5,100 households, and 2,988 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,879 people, 5,701 households, and 3,870 families residing in the city. The population density was 496.8 PD/sqmi. There were 6,210 housing units at an average density of 207.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 49.28% White, 49.34% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 5,701 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 22.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,589, and the median income for a family was $31,316. Males had a median income of $27,946 versus $21,913 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,734. About 20.3% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over.

Historical Background
Prior to 1966, a segregated system of schools was provided, with Black children attending one set of schools and White children another. In 1966, the school system instituted a "freedom of choice" plan, which allowed Black students to attend previously all-White schools. White people congregated outside the schools to prevent Black students from entering and attacked young children when they left school in the afternoon. In response, parents established the Grenada Educational Foundation, now known as Kirk Academy, as an alternative to racially-integrated education.

Modern education
Grenada, as well as Grenada County, is currently served by the Grenada School District. The city also hosts the Grenada Campus of Holmes Community College, located near the University of Mississippi Medical Center Grenada. Since its establishment in 1985, the campus has provided academic courses, technical programs, and workforce training.

Since 2008, Holmes Community College has partnered with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Grenada campus. This collaboration is part of the 2+2 program, where students complete the first two years of their college education at Holmes and then transition to Ole Miss to complete their bachelor's degrees.

Notable people

 * Phillip Alford, actor
 * Chris Avery, football player
 * Genard Avery, football player
 * Pete Boone, athletic director
 * E.L. Boteler, politician and businessman
 * Big George Brock, blues singer and harmonica player
 * Ace Cannon, musician
 * Kristian Dambrino, singer, songwriter, and Miss Mississippi 2005
 * Walter Davis, blues musician
 * Emmanuel Forbes, football player
 * Jake Gibbs, baseball player, All American football player
 * George Robert Hightower, educator
 * Mississippi John Hurt, country blues singer and guitarist
 * M. D. Jennings, football player
 * Trent Lott, U.S. senator
 * John Marascalco, songwriter
 * Jim Miles, baseball player
 * Ike Pearson, baseball player
 * Tyre Phillips, football player
 * Freeman Ransom, lawyer, businessman, and civic activist
 * Greg Robinson, football player
 * Magic Sam, blues musician
 * Joseph D. Sayers, 22nd Governor of Texas
 * Magic Slim, blues musician
 * Homer Spragins, baseball player
 * Trumaine Sykes, football player
 * Donna Tartt, author
 * Edward C. Walthall, United States senator
 * Howard Waugh, Canadian football player and humanitarian
 * Luke J. Weathers (1920–2011), former Tuskegee Airmen
 * Eddie Willis, member of Funk Brothers
 * William Winter, governor of Mississippi (1980-1984)
 * Charlie Worsham, country singer, musician, and songwriter
 * Frank Wright, jazz musician

title: Grenada, Mississippi


text:
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Bay St. Louis is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Mississippi, in the United States. Located on the Gulf Coast on the west side of the Bay of St. Louis, it is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,284 at the 2020 census, up from 9,260 at the 2010 census.

History
The first European settlers in this area were French colonists, whose culture still influences the small city and who imported enslaved people from Africa. A Louisiana Creole population developed, featuring people of color as well as white colonists of largely French descent.

The county was organized by European Americans, who named it after John Hancock, who was a Founding Father of the United States. While more Protestant Americans migrated into this area after Indian Removal in the 1830s, there are still many Catholic families, some dating to both African and French ancestors of the colonial era. Roman Catholic schools still draw area students.

Geography
Bay St. Louis is located in southeastern Hancock County. It is situated on the west side of the Bay of St. Louis which empties into the Mississippi Sound, adjacent to Pass Christian to the east. The city is bordered to the north by the Jourdan River, the primary inlet of the bay and Diamondhead. The eastern border of the city is the Harrison County line in the middle of the bay.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.0 km2, of which 38.1 sqkm are land and 30.9 sqkm, or 44,82%, are water.

Hurricanes
On August 17, 1969, Hurricane Camille made landfall at the tip of Louisiana before continuing to Bay St. Louis.

On August 29, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. CDT, Hurricane Katrina made its final landfall just west of Bay St. Louis, at the mouth of the Pearl River, causing a 28 ft storm surge. Hurricane Katrina came ashore during the high tide of 9:15AM, +2.3 feet more, causing a storm tide more than 30 ft high.

USGS topographic maps show a common 25 ft elevation contour line running throughout a ridge along the former routing of Highway 90 (Old Spanish Trail) on the western edge of the city. As higher ground, this area was spared inundation from the storm surge of Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina damaged more than 40 Mississippi libraries, including severe roof and water damage to the Bay St. Louis Public Library. The library reopened to the public on October 12, 2005.

The Bay St. Louis Bridge on US Highway 90 was severely damaged, with many bridge sections down-dropped at the west edges. The destroyed bridge was replaced by a new Bay St. Louis Bridge, which received America's Transportation Award. It includes a pedestrian bridge with an art walk featuring the works of local artists.

The underground utility infrastructure in Bay St. Louis received a federally funded total overhaul and replacement.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bay St. Louis has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Adjacent cities and towns

 * Diamondhead (north)
 * Gulfport (east)
 * Pass Christian (east)
 * Waveland (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,284 people, 5,447 households, and 4,273 families residing in the city.

Education
Almost all of the city of Bay St. Louis is served by the Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District. Small portions of land are within the Hancock County School District.

It is the home of Bay High School. In addition to Bay High, there are private Catholic schools: Saint Stanislaus College, a residency and day school for boys grades 7–12; and Our Lady Academy, a day school for girls grades 7–12. The latter two share some classrooms as well as a Roman Catholic curriculum.

All of Hancock County is in the service area of Pearl River Community College.

Media
The 1966 movie This Property is Condemned starring Natalie Wood and Robert Redford was filmed in Bay St. Louis, which was called "Dodson" in the movie, with some additional shooting in Biloxi, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-10.svg|20px]] Interstate 10 passes through the northern extension of the city, 10 mi northwest of downtown, with access from Exit 13 (Highway 603). I-10 leads east 37 mi to Biloxi and southwest 54 mi to New Orleans.
 * [[Image:US 90.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 90 passes just north of downtown Bay St. Louis, leading east across the St. Louis Bay Bridge to Pass Christian. Via US 90 it is 15 mi east to Gulfport and 60 mi southwest to New Orleans.
 * [[Image:Circle sign 603.svg|20px]] Mississippi Highway 603 runs along the western edge of the Bay St. Louis city limits, connecting US 90 and Interstate 10.

Notable people

 * Stephen E. Ambrose, historian and author
 * Richmond Barthé, sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance
 * J. P. Compretta, former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
 * Leo Fabian Fahey, coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Baker City, Oregon from 1948 until 1950
 * Shannon Garrett, former professional Canadian football player
 * Walter J. Gex III, United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
 * Jacob Lindgren, MLB player
 * Philip Moran, member of the Mississippi State Senate
 * Alice Moseley, folk artist
 * Leo Norris, former infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies
 * Carlile Pollock Patterson, fourth superintendent of the United States Coast Survey (renamed the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey during his tenure)
 * Albert J. Raboteau, is an African-American scholar of African and African-American religions
 * Lawrence E. Roberts, pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen and colonel in the United States Air Force
 * John Scafide, former offensive lineman for the Boston Redskins and mayor of Bay St. Louis from 1953 to 1969
 * Caroline Snedeker, children's author
 * Gene Taylor, member of the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 2011
 * Tank Williams, former NFL player

title: Bay St. Louis, Mississippi


text:
Diamondhead, Mississippi

Diamondhead is a city in southeastern Hancock County, Mississippi, United States. The city is located just over 50 mi northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is part of the Gulfport−Biloxi Metropolitan Statistical Area. In February 2012, Diamondhead was officially incorporated as a city. In the 2020 USA decennial census, the city population was 9,529.

Resort community
On October 25, 1961, NASA announced the formation of the Mississippi Test Facility, now the John C. Stennis Space Center. The center would be located in an area bordering the Pearl River in Hancock County. During and following the construction of the facility, an influx of government workers, contractors, and their families moved into the area.

Much of the land that became Diamondhead had been purchased by Walter Gex Sr., in 1937 from the Gulf State Paper Company and the Easy Opener Bag Company. Additional land was purchased by Gex, bringing his acquisition to nearly 5000 acre. In the late 1960s, D.E.A.R., Inc., later known as the Diamondhead Corporation, a large corporation interested in resort developments, began operations on the Mississippi Coast, with Diamondhead as its first project. Coastal Mississippi had been a popular vacation destination for years, particularly with Midwesterners. Its location was ideal as a second home development given the convenient access via Interstate 55. The land on which Diamondhead is located is the highest point of elevation (100 ft above sea level) on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi. Therefore, the project was named "Diamondhead" after Diamond Head, an iconic volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Plans for the largest resort-type community in the southern United States were unveiled at a press conference in 1969. Hawaiian-style architecture, landscape, and road names were featured in the development. The company became interested in purchasing 6000 acre of property adjacent to Interstate 10, which was still under construction in the Mississippi Coast area in the 1960s. The development would be located north of the Bay of Saint Louis, with 2 mi of shoreline along the bay and 9 mi of shoreline on the Jourdan River and Rotten Bayou. An interchange on I-10 would be located near the center of the development. When completed, Diamondhead was expected to represent a total investment cost of $10 million.

The corporation was scheduled to close on the purchase on August 18, 1969, one day after Hurricane Camille made landfall in Hancock County. Shortly after the storm left the area, the investment team was able to survey the damage and found that the area around current-day Diamondhead received far less damage than other coastal areas. Seeing such little damage from Camille, the investment team decided to go ahead with the project. Soon after, Diamondhead had streets, lots, infrastructure, model homes, a country club, an airport, a driving range, and a pavilion that would become the community center. Construction of I-10 to the exit at Diamondhead was completed in October 1970, allowing greater traffic access to Diamondhead. By June 1973, 3,700 lots had been sold and 31 homes had been constructed, with another 29 under construction. Diamondhead was responsible for much economic growth by creating opportunities for builders, tradesmen, and service industries related to the construction industry. The community also benefitted from other growth along the coast as employees from the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center, the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East, and other developments around the area chose to live in Diamondhead. By the end of the 1970s, 6,500 of the 10,000 lots offered at Diamondhead had been sold. Most of the early residents came from New Orleans, but later residents came from all over the United States. A survey taken in the late 1970s revealed that a large percentage of property owners came from New Orleans to escape overcrowding conditions.

Diamondhead was organized as a property owners association (POA). On January 1, 1985, the Purcell Company (formerly the Diamondhead Corporation) turned over the POA to a homeowner-elected board of directors. Diamondhead continued to grow after the turnover. As more people and families moved into the community, the demographics became more diverse and less of a second home for retirees. The demographic makeup of Diamondhead changed from that of a retirement community to that of any small suburban-type area. The population of the community became younger, with 54.6% of the population over age 45 in 2000, down from 61.1% in 1990. Tensions began to develop among different groups. Many began to question the POA's decisions, especially over increasing monthly dues and spending large amounts of money on golf course maintenance. In 1994, those who did not want the POA to lead the community began to advocate incorporation and conducted a petition drive for Diamondhead to become a city. This initial attempt at incorporation ultimately stalled but did not ease tensions between advocates and opponents.

Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made its third landfall on the Mississippi Coast. Before and during landfall, water poured into the Bay of St. Louis, and the initial flooding occurred in low-lying areas along the Jourdan River and its tributary bayous. Therefore, Diamondhead and Kiln began to flood before the bulk of the surge came. A record storm surge of nearly 30 ft caused extensive damage. Many homes were badly damaged or completely destroyed, especially those homes on the south side of Diamondhead, facing the Bay of Saint Louis. The commercial center, including stores and restaurants, was mostly destroyed. A 1,000-gallon aviation fuel tank from the airport in Diamondhead floated onto I-10. The north side fared better, and many of the people whose homes had been destroyed in neighboring cities, as well as in Diamondhead, moved into the houses which remained on the north side. Overnight, the population swelled from 6,500 to 9,000.

Incorporation
Following Hurricane Katrina, the POA found itself facing issues that it had not anticipated that brought back the issue regarding incorporation. A city would be eligible for federal or state financial resources that the POA would not have access to as a private entity. Concerns about the expiration of the various covenants that governed different areas within the POA also created anxiety among homeowners. In July 2006, the POA commissioned a study to determine how to best protect its assets. The study ultimately determined that incorporation would be the best route.

In 2009, a petition supported by the Property Owners Association (POA) to hold an incorporation election was filed with the Hancock Chancery Court, and an election approved the incorporation. Opponents contended that the petition lacked a sufficient number of signatures and that incorporation requirements were not complied with. In 2010, the Hancock Chancery Court ruled against the opponents, who then appealed to the Supreme Court of Mississippi. The appeal further claimed irregularities during the hearing on the original objection. On October 29, 2011, the Supreme Court of Mississippi upheld the Hancock Chancery Court and ruled against the irregularity claims. In January 2012, a motion for extension to appeal the decision was denied by the Supreme Court, and a final edict mandating the incorporation was issued. The City of Diamondhead was presented its charter as the 111th city in Mississippi by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann on February 6, 2012.

Geography
Unlike most of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which is relatively level, the Diamondhead area has more rolling topography, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 100 ft. The city is bordered to the south by the Bay of Saint Louis. Rotten Bayou runs west and northwest of the city. Harrison County borders Diamondhead to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2010 the Diamondhead CDP had a total area of 30.3 km2, of which 28.7 km2 were land and 1.5 km2, or 5.04%, were water.

Major highways

 * I-10.svg Interstate 10 runs through the southern part of the city, with access from Exit 16. I-10 leads east 35 mi to Biloxi and southwest 56 mi to New Orleans.

Nearby cities and towns

 * Bay St. Louis (11 mi south by road)
 * DeLisle (7 mi east)
 * Kiln (7 miles [11km] northwest)
 * Picayune (21 miles [34 km] northwest)
 * Shoreline Park (6 mi south)
 * Waveland (10 mi south)

Climate
The average temperature of Diamondhead is 67 °F, which is higher than the Mississippi average temperature of 64 °F and is much higher than the national average temperature of 54 °F.

Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,529 people, 3,767 households, and 2,630 families residing in the city.

Casinos
A casino deal between Donald Trump and Diamondhead Casino Corporation fell through around March 1, 2007. DHCC still wishes to proceed and establish a casino. The Isle of Capri construction plans at the Kiln-DeLisle exit of Interstate 10 had been canceled as of November 8, 2007.

As of late 2008, casinos had applied for zoning in the south side of Diamondhead that was obliterated by Hurricane Katrina. The Silver Slipper Casino from nearby Lakeshore built a seafood restaurant, the Pier House now named Hula Club, at the former site of the yacht club over the water. The eighty-eight acres north of there is also planned to be a major resort casino. It would be the only casino in Mississippi with virtually direct interstate access (I-10).

As of June 27, 2014, the Mississippi Gaming Commission denied the site application as not being on the Bay of Saint Louis.

Parks and recreation
Since most of Diamondhead was a planned community it has many facilities designed to attract home buyers. Some of these facilities include:
 * Marina, Yacht Club, Tennis World, and Country Club with multiple dining facilities
 * The Pines and Cardinal 18-Hole professional golf courses (36 holes)
 * community pools throughout the area
 * community center and separate adult learning center
 * multiple ponds and lakes
 * several homes have direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the marina and yacht club
 * Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 771

Education
Diamondhead is served by the Hancock County School District.

All of Hancock County is in the service area of Pearl River Community College.

Local schools of note

 * Hancock High School
 * Our Lady Academy
 * Saint Stanislaus College

title: Diamondhead, Mississippi