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

REPLACED

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Turkey Creek Community

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

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 (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 30° 25.247′ N, 89° 5.302′ W. Marker was in Gulfport, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It was at the intersection of Three Rivers Road and Rippy Road, on the right when traveling north on Three Rivers Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Gulfport MS 39503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Turkey Creek Community (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gulfport Army Airfield (approx. 1.1 miles

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away); Gulfport Boogie (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mississippi City Cemetery (approx. 3 miles away); Broadcasting the Blues (approx. 3.3 miles away); Harrison County Confederate Monument (approx. 3.3 miles away); St. Therese Parish Hall (approx. 3.4 miles away); Dr. Felix Henry Dunn (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulfport.

More about this marker. The marker was removed for repair in 2023. This is one of two identical markers, one at each end of the community. For the third time being damaged this marker has now been replaced as of 10/19/24. Bollards have been added to hopefully prevent future damage.

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,

Turkey Creek Community Marker damaged by airport landscapers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

2. Turkey Creek Community Marker damaged by airport landscapers.

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. 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.)

4. Turkey Creek community unveils third historical marker following damage to previous signs. A new Turkey Creek Community marker, sends a message of resilience despite being destroyed twice in the last six years. WLOX News (Submitted on October 20, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup and wide-view photographs of the replaced marker. • Can you help?