Historical Marker

Pleasant Ridge School

Marker installed: 2018
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.

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Tishomingo County, Mississippi, located in the northeastern part of the state, has a rich history that spans centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Chickasaw who established settlements along the Tennessee River. European explorers, including Hernando de Soto, arrived in the region in the 16th century and began to establish trade with the indigenous peoples.

In the early 19th century, Tishomingo County became a part of the United States following the signing of the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830. This treaty, which was controversial, resulted in the forced removal of the Chickasaw tribe from their ancestral lands. However, some Chickasaw people, including Chief Tishomingo, managed to negotiate terms that allowed them to stay in the area.

During the American Civil War in the 1860s, Tishomingo County experienced significant turmoil and division. Many residents enlisted in both the Confederate and Union armies, leading to conflicts within families and communities. The town of Iuka, located in Tishomingo County, was the site of a major battle in 1862, during which Union forces under General William Rosecrans attempted to gain control of the strategic railway junction.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tishomingo County developed a predominantly agricultural economy, with cotton as the primary crop. The county also became known for its production of timber, and sawmills were established throughout the region. In the mid-20th century, improvements in transportation and the completion of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which borders the county, brought new opportunities for economic development.

Today, Tishomingo County is a vibrant area with a mix of rural charm and modern amenities. It is known for its natural beauty, including the scenic Tishomingo State Park, which offers camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The county also features a number of historical landmarks, such as the historic courthouse in the county seat of Iuka, which serves as a reminder of the county's rich past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

  • 1836: Tishomingo County is established as a county in the state of Mississippi.
  • 1837: The county seat is officially named Iuka, after a Chickasaw chief.
  • 1861-1865: Tishomingo County is deeply affected by the American Civil War, with battles and skirmishes taking place in the area.
  • 1870: The county's first railroad is completed, helping to boost the local economy.
  • 1930s: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) begins constructing the Pickwick Dam and Pickwick Lake, providing new recreational opportunities for residents.
  • 1950s: Tishomingo County experiences economic growth and expansion due to the construction of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
  • 1982: Actor and singer Elvis Presley's birthplace, located in Tupelo, is designated as a national historic landmark.
  • 2008: Tishomingo County experiences severe damage from a tornado outbreak that strikes the region.