On Alternate U.S. 45 at Egypt Road (County Road 406), on the right when traveling north on U.S. 45Alternate .
During a raid in the winter of 1864-65, Union Brig. Gen. Benjamin Grierson's cavalry encountered Confederates at Egypt Station on the Mobile & Ohio R.R. The Confederate force included a large number of former Union prisoners of war released on . . . — — Map (db m107541) HM
On South Starkville Road north of East Harrington Street, on the right when traveling north.
Schoolhouses have occupied this site since Mississippi Normal College was established here in 1888. The college served as both a grade school for local pupils and a boarding school for college students. Classrooms and an auditorium occupied a pair . . . — — Map (db m155311) HM
On Woodland Circle, 0.1 miles north of Starkville Road, on the left when traveling north.
(Side 1)
Houston area native Booker T. Washington White (c. 1904–1977) was one of the most expressive vocalists and powerful slide guitarists in the blues. A remarkable lyricist as well, he recorded such classics as “Shake ‘Em On . . . — — Map (db m155277) HM
Near Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 232.4), 2.6 miles north of Mississippi Highway 8, on the right when traveling north.
(Marker #1)
Prehistoric Trade
Raw materials and articles from distant areas reached the Indians of the Bynum site by trade along trails that were the forerunners of the Natchez Trace.
Spool-shaped objects made of . . . — — Map (db m84830) HM
On West Madison Street (Mississippi Route 8) at South Huddleston Street, on the right when traveling east on West Madison Street.
Estab. in 1909, this is one of Mississippi's oldest community libraries and its first Carnegie library. School superintendent L.B. Reid secured money from Andrew Carnegie Foundation for this facility. — — Map (db m107610) HM
On E. Madison Street at N. Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west on E. Madison Street.
(Front Side)
Dedicated to the men
of Chickasaw County
who served in the War for
Southern Independence
1861 - 1865
(Back Side)
Infantry
2nd Miss. Regiment, Co. G
6th Miss. Regiment, Co. F
9th Miss. Regiment, . . . — — Map (db m97568) WM
On N. Jackson Street at E. Washington Street, on the right when traveling north on N. Jackson Street.
Dedicated to the citizens
of Chickasaw County
who served our country
in peacetime and war
with honor
Dedicated to the memory of all boys of Chickasaw County who gave their lives in service to their country
World War I
John R. . . . — — Map (db m97569) WM
On North Jackson Street at West Hamilton Street, on the right when traveling south on North Jackson Street.
On Natchez Trace. Named for Sam Houston, friend of Joel Pinson, donor of site. Made county seat at creation of Chickasaw Co., Feb. 9, 1836. In 1909 state's first Carnegie library built here. — — Map (db m107556) HM
On South Starkville Road north of East Harrington Street, on the right when traveling north.
Light Columns are architectural features that flank the main entrance steps of many public and government buildings. It is rare to find them on public buildings in small communities, but Houston High School, constructed in 1927, possessed two of the . . . — — Map (db m155310) HM
On N. Jackson Street at E. Madison Street, on the right when traveling north on N. Jackson Street.
This monument marks the Natchez Trace through Chickasaw County. By the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832, the Chickasaw Indians ceded to the United States their lands east of the Mississippi. In 1801-1802 the old Indian trail was converted into a wagon . . . — — Map (db m97567) HM
On Woodland Circle north of Starkville Road, on the left when traveling north.
The original charter to construct what would eventually become the OH& CC Railroad was granted to the Grenada, Houston & Eastern Railway Company on February 6, 1860. Construction did not begin until 1902, with the first train reaching Houston in . . . — — Map (db m155275) HM
On N. Jefferson Street at E. Washington Street, on the left when traveling north on N. Jefferson Street.
Erected in 1982 in honor of Joel Pinson who donated 80 acres original survey for the town of Houston in 1836. He requested it be named for his friend, Sam Houston, previous governor of Tennessee and only president of Republic of Texas. — — Map (db m97570) HM
Near County Road 413, 2.5 miles west of Natchez Trace Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
The first archaeological work at Owl Creek Mounds was supervised by Moreau Chambers in August, 1935. He was employed by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and assisted by Slater Gordon. E.T. Winston, a Pontotoc journalist and local . . . — — Map (db m84697) HM
Near County Road 413, 2.5 miles west of Natchez Trace Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
In the summers of 1991 and 1992, archaeology field schools from Mississippi State University worked to learn more about the site. Most of the excavations were done on top of Mounds I and II, with small test units dug into Mounds III, IV, and V. . . . — — Map (db m84698) HM
Near County Road 413, 2.5 miles west of Natchez Trace Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
Owl Creek Mounds were built between 800 and 900 years ago and were used for only about 100 years. This was determined by the dating of charcoal samples collected at the site and by studying the artifacts and type of building remains found in the . . . — — Map (db m84699) HM
Near County Road 413, 2.5 miles west of Natchez Trace Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
Hernando De Soto landed in Florida at Tampa Bay in May, 1539. His army numbered around 800 Spaniards including two women. He also had 240 horses and several pigs. The expedition traveled through the Southeast to Texas and returned to the Mississippi . . . — — Map (db m84690) HM
Near County Road 413, 2.5 miles west of Natchez Trace Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
The first humans came to North America by crossing the Bering Strait land bridge, which connected Siberia and Alaska. Their descendants arrived in this part of Mississippi nearly 12,000 years ago. The oldest mounds in the state were built by people . . . — — Map (db m84696) HM
On County Highway 413, 0.3 miles east of County Highway 124, on the left when traveling east.
Born circa 1760, William Colbert was a notable Chickasaw warrior. He fought in the American Revolution and beside Piominko in the 1790s. George Washington appointed him a major general in 1795. In 1813, William helped the Americans fight the Red . . . — — Map (db m155285) HM
On North Church Street (Mississippi Route 245) north of Raspberry Street, on the right when traveling south.
In this vicinity on February 22, 1864, Benjamin Grierson ordered McCrillis' Federal brigade into a line of battle opposite Col. Barteau's Confederate brigade of Forrest's cavalry corps. Barteau's men, from the ridge east of the railroad, advanced as . . . — — Map (db m102742) HM
On Mississippi Route 41, 0.9 miles north of Old Highway 41 (Road 133), on the right when traveling north.
On February 22, 1864, Col. Jeffrey Forrest, commanding a Confederate cavalry brigade, was killed in action in this vicinity, near the extinct town of Prairie Mount. Born in 1838, Forrest was the younger brother of Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, . . . — — Map (db m102744) HM
Near Park Lane Drive at South Church Street (Route 245).
Chickasaw County's tribute
to the sons who wore the gray
and were faithful to the cause.
Erected under auspices of
Okolona Chapter U.D.C. No. 117.
— — Map (db m102750) WM
Near Park Lane Drive at South Church Street (Route 245).
As a station on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, Okolona was the site of a large hospital during the Civil War. In 1862, following the battle of Shiloh, hundreds of wounded Confederates were brought here by train. Those who died were buried in this . . . — — Map (db m102747) HM
On Park Lane Drive south of Adams Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Founded as Rose Hill 1845. Chartered as Okolona 1850. Named for Chickasaw Indian brave. Scene for three Civil War battles. First Mississippi Cavalry, C.S.A., was organized and equipped here. — — Map (db m102748) HM
On East Monroe Avenue (Mississippi Route 41) east of South Carter Street, on the right when traveling west.
Founded as Rose Hill 1845. Chartered as Okolona 1850. Named for Chickasaw Indian brave. Scene for three Civil War battles. First Mississippi Cavalry, C.S.A., was organized and equipped here. — — Map (db m102749) HM
On North Church Street (Mississippi Route 245) at Laster Drive, on the right when traveling south on North Church Street.
The Okolona Normal and Industrial School was founded in 1902 by Dr. Wallace A. Battle. It educated African Americans through high school and provided industrial training for young adults. At its peak, the school's enrollment topped two hundred . . . — — Map (db m102740) HM
On West Main Street at North Gatlin Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street.
Throughout the Civil War, Confederate forces were stationed in Okolona, taking advantage of the agriculturally rich prairie region. With a large supply depot, the town was the object of Union Raids at least twice. On February 22, 1864, Maj. Gen. . . . — — Map (db m102746) HM
On West Main Street at South Gatlin Street, in the median on West Main Street.
Front
Love's tribute
to a thousand
Southern
soldiers who
sleep in our
Confederate
cemetery, who
died in the war
1861—1865.
Right Side
List of Dead
Rear
List of . . . — — Map (db m102936) WM
On County Highway 419, 0.7 miles east of County Highway 80, on the left when traveling east.
(Side 1)
Formed in 1987 when three local musicians — Joe Lee Huffman, Willie Gene Huffman, and Robert Eaton — got together to play music and share supper, the Sparta Opry has become a community institution. Having offered more than 100 . . . — — Map (db m155271) HM
On Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 221.4), 1.9 miles north of Mississippi Highway 46, on the left when traveling north.
Preserved here is a portion of a nearly 200-year old road – the Old Natchez Trace. Maintaining this 500-mile long wilderness road in the early 1800's was a difficult if not hopeless task.
As you look down the sunken trench note the . . . — — Map (db m84832) HM
