Historical Marker

Walnut Grove Methodist Church

Marker installed: 2012
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
Leake County, located in central Mississippi, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back to prehistoric times. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw and Chickasaw, who thrived on the county's abundant natural resources. The arrival of European settlers in the 19th century brought significant changes to the region.

In the early 1800s, the United States government signed treaties with the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes, resulting in the forced removal and resettlement of these indigenous populations. This paved the way for white settlers to claim the land for agricultural purposes. Leake County was officially established in 1833 and named after Walter Leake, the governor of Mississippi at the time.

The county experienced rapid growth in the mid-19th century, becoming a hub for the cotton industry. Large plantations were established, and thousands of enslaved Africans were forced to work in the fields. The Civil War had a profound impact on Leake County, like many other parts of the South, as battles and skirmishes were fought here, and many residents served in Confederate armies.

Post-war Reconstruction brought significant social and economic changes to Leake County. Sharecropping became a common practice, enabling many former slaves and poor white farmers to access land and resources. The county also saw the construction of railroads and the emergence of small towns and communities, which further fueled its agricultural and economic development. Despite periods of economic hardship and racial tensions, the county continues to thrive and maintain a strong sense of community today.

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

  • 1812: Leake County, Mississippi is established.
  • 1820: First land sales occur in the county.
  • 1831: First courthouse and jail are built in Carthage.
  • 1833: Carthage is selected as the county seat.
  • 1861-1865: Leake County residents serve in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
  • 1875: The Mississippi Central Railroad reaches Carthage, boosting the local economy.
  • 1915: A disastrous fire destroys much of downtown Carthage.
  • 1943: Construction begins on the Camp McCain Army Training Center in Leake County.
  • 1971: A tornado devastates parts of the county, causing significant damage.
  • 1996: The Pearl River Resort and Casino opens, bringing tourism and economic development to the area.