Historical Marker

Brookhaven Light Artillery

Marker installed: 2002
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
Located in the state of Mississippi, Lincoln County has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early 19th century. It was established on April 7, 1870, and named in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Prior to its establishment, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw.

The first European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1800s, primarily attracted by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources. Agriculture and timber quickly became the dominant industries, with cotton being the main cash crop. By the mid-1800s, the county had developed a thriving economy, supported by the labor of both enslaved African Americans and white farmers.

During the American Civil War, Lincoln County played a significant role, being located within the Confederate heartland. Several battles and skirmishes took place in the area, as Union forces sought to disrupt the Confederate supply lines. The war had a devastating impact on the county, with many homes and plantations destroyed.

In the years following the Civil War, Lincoln County experienced a period of reconstruction and recovery. The economy gradually diversified, with the emergence of industries such as lumber, manufacturing, and commerce. Today, Lincoln County continues to embrace its history and heritage, with numerous historical sites and museums offering visitors a glimpse into the area's rich past.

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

  • 1817 - Lincoln County is established as one of the original counties in the state of Mississippi.
  • 1819 - The first courthouse and county seat is founded in Holmesville.
  • 1876 - Brookhaven becomes the new county seat, replacing Holmesville.
  • 1894 - The Illinois Central Railroad extends into Lincoln County, boosting economic development.
  • 1906 - The Brookhaven National Guard Armory is constructed.
  • 1927 - The Lincoln County Library is established.
  • 1935 - Camp Beauregard, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, is established near Bogue Chitto.
  • 1941 - The United States enters World War II, and many residents of Lincoln County serve in the armed forces.
  • 1978 - The Mississippi School of the Arts is established in Brookhaven.
  • 2011 - The Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society is founded.