West in Holmes County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Robert D. Pointer Sr.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026

1. Robert D. Pointer Sr. Marker

Inscription.
Robert D. Pointer Sr. was born in 1909 in the town of West. Despite limited educational opportunities, he was mechanically inclined and acquired a local blacksmith shop in 1948. Pointer's Blacksmith Shop, which included carpentry services, was a vital part of the community for more than two decades. A successful entrepreneur, he was among the first African American business owners in West. Robert D. Pointer Sr. died in 1971.

Erected 2024 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 33° 11.838′ N, 89° 46.689′ W. Marker is in West, Mississippi, in Holmes County. It is on Carrollton Street west of U.S. 51, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 540 Carrollton St, West MS 39192, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Mississippi. It is

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also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Mississippi Delta.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Senator James O. Eastland Memorial Highway (approx. 3½ miles away); Durant (approx. 8.7 miles away); Castalian Springs (approx. 8.9 miles away); Conner Cemetery (approx. 9.2 miles away); Shongalo Church (approx. 9.6 miles away); Choctaw Line (approx. 10.7 miles away); New Hope Lutheran Church (approx. 11.7 miles away); Applewhite Cemetery (approx. 13½ miles away).

Robert D. Pointer Sr. Marker near US Post Office. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 22, 2026

2. Robert D. Pointer Sr. Marker near US Post Office.

Memory benches located at marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton

3. Memory benches located at marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.