Near Holcomb in Grenada County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Elliot Mission

Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 23, 2021

1. Elliot Mission Marker

Inscription. Organized here in 1818 by the Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury. The 1st in a series of 13 missions for the education of the Choctaws into western culture, it was closed in 1832 due to removal of many Choctaws to Oklahoma.

Erected 1987 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.

Location. 33° 44.363′ N, 89° 58.176′ W. Marker is near Holcomb, Mississippi, in Grenada County. Marker is at the intersection of Dubard Road (Mississippi Route 35) and Blanch Road, on the right when traveling south on Dubard Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Holcomb MS 38940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mississippi John Hurt (approx. 8.2 miles away); Cascilla (approx. 8.4 miles away); a different marker also named "Mississippi" John Hurt (approx. 8.8 miles away); Grenada Fort (approx. 9 miles away); Odd Fellows/Confederate Cemetery (approx. 9.4 miles away); Grenada

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 9½ miles away); Magic Slim (approx. 9.6 miles away); Belle Flower M.B. Church (approx. 9.8 miles away).

Regarding Elliot Mission. The station was named "Eliot" in honor of John Eliot, an English Puritan born in 1604 who had emigrated to America to educate the Indians of Massachusetts.

The little station grew with the arrival of more missionaries and the building of homes, a church and a school. A doctor, a carpenter and blacksmith also arrived and a blacksmith shop, granary and other buildings were erected, and soon furniture, wagons and all kinds of agricultural implements were made at the mission.

For more than 20 years, Eliot Mission was a center for Choctaw education. But in 1830, the infamous Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek began the removal of the Choctaws from their eastern lands, and by 1832 the mission had closed.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 23, 2021

2. Elliot Mission Marker

View south on MS-35. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 23, 2021

3. View south on MS-35.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.