Thomas T. Gore
Since 1949 the State Historical Marker program has identified and interpreted historic sites across Mississippi. More than one thousand markers can be found near buildings, battlefields, cemeteries, churches, temples, forts, homes, schools, and abandoned towns.
For tourists the markers may be their only glimpses into the state’s rich and varied history. For Mississippi communities the markers can be points of pride that memorialize locally important people and events.
State Historical Markers are privately sponsored and funded. Anyone may sponsor a marker. To qualify a site must have unique historical significance to the local community, the state, or the nation.
Mississippi played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the most important events of the movement, including the Freedom Rides and the March Against Fear, took place in Mississippi.
In the early 1830s, the county was established and named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent South Carolina politician. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Slavery played a significant role in the county's economy through the antebellum period, with many large plantations relying on enslaved labor. The Civil War had a remarkable impact on Calhoun County, as it experienced major battles and Confederate occupation throughout the conflict.
After the war, the county faced significant challenges during the Reconstruction era. The agricultural landscape shifted, with many former plantations being divided into smaller farms worked by sharecroppers. This new system of labor brought significant economic and social changes to Calhoun County, as many families struggled to rebuild their lives.
The 20th century saw Calhoun County adapt to new industries and technologies. The introduction of railroads and improved transportation infrastructure allowed for increased access to markets, promoting economic growth. The timber industry flourished, and sawmills became a significant employer in the region. However, like many rural areas, the county also faced challenges, including emigration and a declining population.
Overall, Calhoun County has a diverse and complex history that reflects the broader patterns of the American South. From Native American tribes to European settlers, plantations to sharecropping, and the rise of new industries, the county's history has been shaped by a mix of cultural, economic, and social forces.
Calhoun County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Calhoun County, Mississippi.
- 1833: Calhoun County, Mississippi, is established and named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent American statesman.
- 1836: The town of Pittsboro is founded as the county seat.
- 1861-1865: Calhoun County experiences the effects of the American Civil War.
- 1866: The first railroad, the Mississippi Central Railroad, is completed in the county.
- Late 19th century: Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, becomes a dominant industry in Calhoun County.
- 1930s: The Great Depression impacts the county's economy, leading to a decline in agricultural production.
- 1944: Calhoun City is incorporated as a town.
- 1950s-1970s: The mechanization of agriculture brings changes to Calhoun County, leading to a decline in the number of farms and an increase in rural-to-urban migration.
- 1988: Calhoun County celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary.
- 1990s-2000s: Calhoun County experiences economic diversification, with the growth of manufacturing and service industries.
- 2010s: The county continues to evolve and develop, focusing on education, infrastructure, and community improvement projects.