Gulfport in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Turkey Creek Community

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

1. Turkey Creek Community Marker

Inscription. In 1866, emancipated African American settlers established this community along Turkey Creek, building homes, a church, and a school. Many residents are descendants of the original settlers. Designated in 2001 by Mississippi Heritage Trust as one of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, Turkey Creek was listed in the National Register in 2007.

Erected 2018 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program, and the National Register of Historic Places series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 30° 25.433′ N, 89° 4.663′ W. Marker is in Gulfport, Mississippi, in Harrison County. Marker is at the intersection of Rippy Road and Creosote Road, on the right when traveling east on Rippy Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14279 Rippy Rd, Gulfport MS 39503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gulfport Army Airfield (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gulfport Boogie (approx. 1.7 miles away); Broadcasting the Blues (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mississippi City Cemetery

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(approx. 2.8 miles away); Handsboro (approx. 3.4 miles away); Riley Chapel UMC (approx. 3.4 miles away); Handsboro Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); Gulf Coast College (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulfport.

More about this marker. This is one of two identical markers, one at each end of the community.

Also see . . .
1. Turkey Creek Community Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which includes 75 properties encompassing 110 acres.(Prepared by William M. Gatlin and Meisha Hunter; via National Archives) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. 'A special place.' Meet the residents of Turkey Creek, historic Black community in Gulfport. Residents of Turkey Creek, a historically Black community, reflect on the history of the community as a historical building is renovated. (Hannah Ruhoff, The Sun Herald, uploaded September 27, 2021) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Built in the 1920s, this once-dilapidated house was the impetus to restore a historically Black comm

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

2. Turkey Creek Community Marker

. Derrick Evans has spent the past two decades fighting to preserve historic buildings in Turkey Creek, Mississippi, a historically Black community that has been slowly erased by disaster and development. (By Nate Berg, Fast Company, February 17, 2022) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.