Historical Marker

The Oakes House

Marker installed: 1995
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.

architecture houses residential buildings
The Mississippi Delta region, which is located in the northwest part of the state, is known for its rich soil and has been an important agricultural area for centuries.
Mississippi random facts
Yazoo County, located in the state of Mississippi, has a rich and storied history that dates back centuries. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw, before European explorers arrived. In the early 19th century, Yazoo County saw significant settlement and growth with the arrival of European American settlers.

During the antebellum period, Yazoo County became a major center for cotton production and a hub for the slave trade. The county's fertile soil and long growing season made it ideal for agriculture, leading to the establishment of plantations that relied heavily on enslaved labor. The prosperity of the region during this time was, however, marred by the controversial Yazoo land scandal of the late 18th century, which involved fraudulent land deals and led to political turmoil.

The Civil War had a profound impact on Yazoo County, bringing destruction and deprivation to the area. The county was a site of numerous battles and skirmishes, and the economy suffered greatly as a result. After the war, as the agricultural industry struggled to recover, the county saw an increase in sharecropping and tenant farming, as many former slaves and their descendants continued to work the cotton fields.

In the 20th century, Yazoo County experienced significant changes and challenges. The Great Flood of 1927 devastated the area, causing widespread destruction and displacing many residents. The county also played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, with activists working to dismantle segregation and fight for equal rights. Today, Yazoo County maintains its agricultural heritage while also developing diverse industries to support its population.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Yazoo County, Mississippi.

  • 1823 - Yazoo County is established as one of Mississippi's original counties.
  • 1830s - Yazoo City becomes the county seat.
  • 1833 - The Yazoo County Agricultural Society is founded to improve farming practices.
  • 1853 - The Mississippi Central Railroad reaches Yazoo City, boosting the local economy.
  • 1863 - During the Civil War, Yazoo City is occupied by Union forces.
  • 1876 - The Mississippi River floods Yazoo County, causing significant damage.
  • 1904 - A devastating fire destroys much of downtown Yazoo City.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression leads to widespread poverty in Yazoo County.
  • 1944 - The Mississippi Delta Training School for mentally disabled children is established in Bentonia.
  • 2009 - Yazoo County experiences widespread flooding due to heavy rain and a damaged levee.