Tate County is made up of many communities. Some of them you may never have heard depending on how long you have lived here.
Aiken; Antioch; Arkabutla; Barr; Beach Point; Bett; Blue Goose; Bowman(town); Coldwater; Cottonville; Crockett; Cupid; Cypress Corners; Eckles; Eliphaz; Flag Lake; George Point; Goode; Greenleaf; Hudson; Independence; Irwin; Kelly’s Crossing; Linwood; Locust; Looxahoma; Lurlyne; M-Ville; Midville; Mabry; Murry; New Garden; Newtown; Palestine; Peak; Poagville; Poplar; Rainey; Rich; Salem; Sarah; Savage; Scotland; Senatobia; Singleton Springs; Sloan; Spring Hill Grange; Springfield; Strayhorn; Tatumsville; Taylor; Thyatira; Truslow; Tyro; Wakefield; Wyatte.
At various times between 1873 and 1991 all these communities were a thriving part of Tate County. Some boasted retail stores, churches, schools, businesses while others were more residential. Many of them only exist today in someone’s memory. Of all these communities, only two went on to be incorporated cities. Senatobia received its charter in 1860 and Coldwater in 1872.
Each of these communities was settled by one or more families who made the treacherous journey from North or South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee or some other eastern location. They packed up all their belongings and made the arduous trip. Most of the movies have depicted some of the hardships they had to endure. Poor roads, unpredictable weather conditions, eating and sleeping in the outdoors, no privacy in that they traveled with other families not to mention possible threat of being robbed or killed along the way.
Our forefathers were for the most part were strong, adventurous men and women. Long before it was Tate County and some even before Mississippi was a State were willing to leave the safety of a place they’d lived for most of their lives, to give up family connections in order to forge a new life in an unsettled place. Names and dates of people known to have help established these communities have been compiled in The Heritage of Tate County. Some details of their life are also included. This book is in the TCG&HS library to help researchers document the ancestors who made Tate County their home or a Readable ONLY CD can be purchased for $20.00 plus shipping. Details on the community’s location and known residents are listed.
We appreciate the sacrifices of our forefathers to establish these places. We appreciate the men and women who have helped compile this information for future generations. We appreciate our current citizens who either through their participation in the society or their contributions of materials or funding to the society help us make this information available to anyone who would like to know the details.
The library is located on the second floor of the Crockett Building, 107 Court Street. The librarians are available to help you on Thursday and Friday (except prior to a holiday) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (please call if you’ll arrive after 3 p.m.). We follow the State guidelines and require masks and social distancing. You may contact us at tatehistory@hotmail.com or call 662-562-0390.
