Historical Marker

China Grove Methodist Church

Marker installed: 1975
Marker provided by: Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

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.

The famous blues guitarist Robert Johnson, who is often cited as a major influence on rock and roll, was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi.
Mississippi random facts
Walthall County, located in the southwest corner of Mississippi, has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Prior to European colonization, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw people. These tribes relied on the land's natural resources for sustenance and established their own unique cultures.

In the early 19th century, European settlers arrived in the area, establishing small communities and farms. The county was officially created in 1910 and named after Civil War officer Edward C. Walthall. Agriculture became the mainstay of the local economy, with cotton, timber, and livestock being the primary industries. Small towns like Tylertown emerged as trading centers, providing essential services to the surrounding rural communities.

Walthall County experienced significant growth during the early 20th century, with improvements in transportation and infrastructure. The arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad in the 1920s facilitated trade and brought increased opportunities for economic development. However, like many other areas in the South, the county also faced the challenges of segregation and racial tensions during this period.

In recent times, Walthall County has grappled with economic changes and the decline of traditional rural industries. The county has seen a shift from agriculture to other sectors, such as healthcare and manufacturing. Efforts have been made to preserve the county's history and promote tourism, with the establishment of museums and historical sites. Today, Walthall County continues to evolve, seeking to balance its rich heritage with the need for economic progress.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Walthall County, Mississippi.

  • 1812 - Walthall County established as Marion County after General Francis Marion from the Revolutionary War.
  • 1821 - Marion County divided into two counties: Lawrence and Marion.
  • 1910 - Marion County renamed after judge and Confederate Major Edward C. Walthall.
  • 1912 - Walthall County officially established with county seat in Tylertown.
  • 1933 - Construction of the Tylertown-College Road begins as a Works Progress Administration project.
  • 1944 - Reconstruction of the Tylertown-College Road completed as a two-lane highway.
  • 1964 - Interstate 55 is completed, passing through Walthall County.
  • 1990 - Walthall County Historical Society formed to preserve and promote local history.
  • 2005 - Hurricane Katrina hits Walthall County, causing significant damage.