Historical Marker

The Old Courthouse

Marker installed: 1991
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.

The state has a diverse population that includes Native American tribes such as the Choctaw and Chickasaw, as well as African Americans, European Americans, and Hispanic Americans.
Mississippi random facts
Pearl River County is located in southern Mississippi and has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Creek tribes, who lived off the land and utilized the nearby Pearl River for transportation and sustenance.

European settlement began in the early 19th century, when French and Spanish explorers arrived in the area. The county itself was established in 1890, named after the prominent Pearl River that flows through it. Agriculture played a significant role in the county's early development, with cotton and timber being major industries. The county seat, Poplarville, was established in 1904 and became a center of commerce and education for the area.

Like many parts of the South, Pearl River County was deeply impacted by the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Many residents joined the Confederate cause, and battles and skirmishes occurred throughout the area. After the war, the county, like much of the South, struggled with economic and social challenges. However, it gradually rebounded and experienced growth in the early 20th century with the establishment of schools, churches, and businesses.

In more recent history, Pearl River County has continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. The agricultural industry has diversified, and the county now boasts a blend of farming, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Tourism has also become an important part of the local economy, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Today, Pearl River County is a vibrant and thriving community, proud of its history and looking towards a promising future.

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

  • 1810 - Pearl River County was established by an act of the Mississippi Territorial Legislature.
  • 1833 - The county's first courthouse was built in the town of Monticello.
  • 1904 - A new courthouse was constructed in Poplarville, the current county seat.
  • 1947 - The Pearl River County Hospital was built to provide medical services to the community.
  • 1983 - Hurricane Alicia caused significant damage to the county, including widespread power outages.
  • 2005 - Hurricane Katrina devastated Pearl River County, causing extensive flooding and displacing thousands of residents.
  • 2018 - The county celebrated its bicentennial with various events and activities.