Near Baldwyn in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Chief Tishomingo
Tishomingo was born as early as the 1730s, probably at Chickasaw Old Town in what is now northwest Tupelo. Tishomingo was a warrior and a staunch defender of Chickasaw lands and sovereignty. Chickasaws fought alongside American troops in numerous conflicts after the American Revolution, notably in the Northwest Indian Confederacy War in the 1790s and in the War of 1812. Tishomingo fought with distinction against the Creeks in the Red Stick War portion of the latter conflict in 1813-1814. Despite this service, the Chickasaws were forced to sell their lands in Mississippi to the U.S. government because of the influx of white settlers.
In the 1830s, all of the Southeastern tribes were relocated to Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma. Despite the removal of the Chickasaw Indians from this area, their legacy lives on.
Chief Tishomingo's name is still attached to this creek, a town, and a Mississippi county which originally extended from the Tennessee River to within a few miles of here. The tribal capital in the west was also named for him and persists today as Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Chief Tishomingo died in present-day Arkansas about 1840 while assisting tribal members on the Trail of Tears. The location of his grave is unknown.
Bottom Quote: "Although but little is known beyond the limits of his nation, yet he was a man that had seen wars and fought battles - stood high among his own people as a brave and good man." - Tishomingo's obituary, 1841
Upper Right Corner Map: The lands of the Chickasaw Nation encompassed much of northern Mississippi. - "Map of the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Arkansas Territory," 1832, An Atlas of the United States of North America, David Rumsey Map Collection.
Center Drawing: The only known portrait of Chief Tishomingo of the Chickasaw Indians. Research Division of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Right Side Map: Chief Tishomingo's homesite is just a little south of here, near the bank of what is now Tishomingo Creek. A monument marks the location.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • War of 1812 • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 34° 30.692′ N, 88° 44.002′ W. Marker is near Baldwyn, Mississippi, in Lee County. Marker can be reached from Ripley Road (County Route 370) half a mile north of Bethany Road (County Route 370), on the right when traveling west. The marker is in a small park with a parking lot at the Tishomingo Creek bridge. It is one-half mile northwest of the Brice's Crossroads NPS Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baldwyn MS 38824, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tishomingo Creek Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Spoils of War (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tishomingo Creek Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); General Barteau's Flank Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Wagon Train (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Terrain and Landscape (about 400 feet away); Artillery at Log Cabin Ridge (about 500 feet away); Brice's Cross Roads (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baldwyn.
More about this marker. A replica of a civil war-era bridge is also at this location. It is designated as part of the Brice's Crossroads Auto Tour Stop 7.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 1,334 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 4. submitted on December 17, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 5. submitted on December 3, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.