Starkville in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
George Washington Chiles
1840 - 1929
Brush Arbor Cemetery
Historic Starkville
| — | Mississippi's College Town | — |
Photographed by Delaney Shaw, October 29, 2026
1. George Washington Chiles Marker
George Washington "Wash" Chiles was born in Pickens County Alabama July 1, 1840, and came to Starkville at the age of 8 years and lived in Starkville until his death April 29, 1929. Chiles and his family were slaves under the family of W. H. Chiles. He performed duties as directed and for a period was a hotel servant. During the Civil war he was required to accompany now Captain W. H. Chiles, Confederate States of American, into battle as a servant and as a cook. During the Battle of Nashville Captain Chiles was wounded and disable and left on the battlefield. Wash Chiles, under fire from the Union Army, retrieved Captain Chiles from the battlefield and carried him to a place of safety.
After the Civil War Wash Chiles married Henrietta Outlaw and she served as his faithful companion for 64 years until his death. Records indicate that George Washington "Wash" Chiles, was a mail carrier, a member of the Oktibbeha County Board of Education Commissioners, an Oktibbeha County Election Commissioner, a member of the police board, and a Mason. He was also an entrepreneur who owned a restaurant and provided taxi service to
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As a successful entrepreneur and employee in the hotel business Wash Chiles was financially able to purchase several tracts of land in Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Parts of the property he purchased served as foundations for the African American religious and education communities.
In 1908 Dr. J.W. Eckford and George Washington "Wash" Chiles reported to the Starkville Mayor and Board of Education that the facility on Washington and Gillespie Streets was inadequate for the African American population and proposed a new building on a tract of land that is the current site of the Henderson Ward Stewart education complex. This tract of land was the property of George Washington "Wash" Chiles. The Starkville Mayor and the Board of Education accepted the proposal with the provision that Wash Chiles and the African American Community could raise the initial $1500.00. Wash Chiles and the African American Community were successful in raising the initial $1500.00. Primarily due to Wash Chiles' effort Graded School Number 2 was opened in 1910 with Decatur Rogers (Mrs. Rosie Stewart's father)
Photographed by Delaney Shaw, November 8, 2026
2. George Washington Chiles Marker
Erected by Historic Starkville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is April 29, 1929.
Location. 33° 27.772′ N, 88° 48.35′ W. Marker is in Starkville, Mississippi, in Oktibbeha County. It is on University Drive near Hartness Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 517 University Dr, Starkville MS 39759, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Mississippi, in the Black Prairie, and in the Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. 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 walking distance of this marker: David Samuel Minor (here, next to this marker); Brush Arbor Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Nash Street Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oktibbeha County Blues (approx. ¼ mile away); The Borden Milk Plant (approx. ¼ mile away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oktibbeha Gardens (approx. 0.4 miles away); Needmore Community (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Starkville.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2026, by Delaney Shaw of Seneca, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on November 6, 2026, by Delaney Shaw of Seneca, South Carolina. 2. submitted on November 8, 2026, by Delaney Shaw of Seneca, South Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
