In 1962, the University of Mississippi, located in Oxford, was the site of a violent confrontation between federal forces and white segregationists over the enrollment of James Meredith, the university's first African American student.
Attala County, Mississippi has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1833. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Choctaw Nation, who lived off the land and hunted in the region. With the signing of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830, the Choctaw were forced to cede their lands to the United States government, opening the way for settlement by Euro-American settlers.

The county was named after a prominent Choctaw chief, At

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

  • 1833 - Attala County was established on February 19, 1833, as a county in the state of Mississippi.
  • 1834 - The first courthouse was built in the town of Kosciusko, which later became the county seat.
  • 1837 - The county's population grew as settlers moved into the area, mainly from the eastern states.
  • 1846 - The first public school was established in Attala County.
  • 1861-1865 - Attala County, like many other parts of Mississippi, was deeply affected by the American Civil War.
  • 1879 - The county's first railroad, the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific, was completed, connecting Attala County to the regional rail network.
  • 1910 - The population of Attala County reached its peak at over 29,000 residents.
  • 1956 - Attala County celebrated its centennial anniversary.
  • 1970s - The county experienced significant declines in population as mechanization in agriculture led to fewer job opportunities.
  • 1999 - The Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, located in Attala County, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Present - Attala County continues to be a rural community with primarily agricultural and manufacturing industries.