Smithville in Monroe County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Gaines Trace
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 24, 2021
1. Gaines Trace Marker
S. 2 mi. from Smithville.
Road surveyed in 1807
by E. P. Gaines. Ran
from Cotton Gin Port to
Tennessee R., providing
short route to north from
isolated settlements of
lower Tombigbee Valley.Erected 1954 by Mississippi Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 34° 4.216′ N, 88° 23.438′ W. Marker is in Smithville, Mississippi, in Monroe County. Marker is on Main Street (Mississippi Route 25) east of Gum Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smithville MS 38870, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Town of Smithville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rod Brasfield (approx. 0.6 miles away); Chickasaw Cession (approx. 7.4 miles away); Amory, Mississippi: Blues from a Railroad Town (approx. 8.1 miles away); Amory's Tribute to the Heroes of 1861—1865
this page online
Regarding Gaines Trace. Smithville is one of the older towns in Monroe County. It is located on the Gaines Trace Road which was surveyed by E. P. Gaines in 1807, at the request of President Thomas Jefferson. Gaines Trace was a major route for settlers who migrated from the northeast.
Additional commentary.
1. Smithville hit by an EF-5 tornado in 2011.
On April 27, 2011 at 3:47 P.M CDT an EF5 tornado roared up Highway 25 through Smithville, Mississippi, leaving in its wake a swath of destruction a half-mile wide and five miles long. In seconds, this small town, with its rich heritage of faith, family and friendship, was leveled. 16 people were killed, and 40 people were injured. Most of the homes, the town hall, police station, post office, grocery store, four churches, the much prized school and all but one local businesses ceased to exist. Its winds are estimated to have peaked
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 24, 2021
2. The view south on MS-25 into Smithville.
— Submitted May 25, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
