Historical Marker

Mayersville, Mississippi

Marker installed: 1976
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.

Mississippi has a long history of political and social conservatism, and the state has consistently voted for Republican candidates in presidential elections since the 1980s. However, the state also has a strong Democratic Party tradition, particularly among African American voters.
Mississippi random facts
Issaquena County, located in the southwestern part of Mississippi, has a significant history that dates back to the early 19th century. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Yazoo and Choctaw tribes, European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 1800s. The county was officially established in 1844 and was named after the Yazoo River, which served as an important waterway for transportation and trade.

During the antebellum period, Issaquena County thrived agriculturally, with cotton plantations dominating the landscape. The region's fertile soil and favorable climate made it ideal for cultivating cotton, contributing to a booming economy and a high demand for slave labor. Plantations were worked by vast numbers of enslaved African Americans, who endured unimaginable hardships and cruelty under the institution of slavery.

The county's history was marred by the brutality and violence of the Civil War and its aftermath. Devastating battles were fought in and around Issaquena County, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Reconstruction brought hope for change, but racial tensions remained high, resulting in increased violence and the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

In the 20th century, Issaquena County faced numerous challenges, including economic decline and racial inequality. The mechanization of agriculture led to a decline in the need for manual labor, exacerbating poverty and unemployment in the region. Civil rights struggles also gripped the county, with African Americans fighting for equal rights and an end to segregation. Today, Issaquena County continues to work towards addressing its historical inequalities and working towards a more prosperous future for all its residents.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Issaquena County, Mississippi.

  • 1832: Issaquena County is established as a county in the state of Mississippi.
  • 1844: A courthouse is built in Mayersville, becoming the county seat.
  • 1862: Issaquena County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1878: The Yellow Fever epidemic affects Issaquena County.
  • 1903: The Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee District is established in Issaquena County.
  • 1916: Flooding causes significant damage to the county.
  • 1954: The Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision impacts Issaquena County's schools and racial segregation.
  • 1969: The last elected sheriff in Issaquena County before a period of appointed sheriffs takes office.
  • 2000: The population of Issaquena County reaches its lowest point since the county's establishment.