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History
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From the legends of the Frenchman, D'Artaguette, to the grandeur of Lochinvar,
Pontotc County is rich in history. Pontotoc was founded by General Thomas
MacMackin. Although the term general was used only as a compliment, General
McMackin was a successful land speculator and hotel keeper. He purchased
the land where Pontotoc County was organized from the Chickasaw Indians
for $1,000.00 on February 9, 1836. Within a month he had divided the land
into lots and had turned his investment into $80,000.
The first courthouse was built in 1810. Pontotoc became
a town on May 4, 1836, when the streets,  public
square, and other property were conveyed to the Board
of Police. The first courthouse was built in 1840.
During this time in the South, cotton was king.
Large farms and plantation homes dotted the landscape.
Four skirmishes were fought in Pontotoc County during
the War Between the States, and many lives as well as
fortunes were lost.
Lee and Union counties were formed from the land area that was Pontotoc
before the Civil War. Many changes occured after the war, which devalued
personal property and reduced the population. However, by 1888, the railroad
came throuh Pontotoc and the future became bright. Unfortunately,
in 1900 the original courthouse was destroyed by fire. However, the
spirit of Pontotc was not daunted. The famous Sawilmon Hotel, Governor
Bilbo's summer capitol, was constructed in 1911, and the current courthouse
was dedicated in 1917.
Pontotoc County experienced growth and change during the
twentieth century. From the entrance of electricity
in 1935 to the dedication of the library in 1976, the
county continued to prosper. The "Land of the Hanging
Grapes" remains rich with its natural resources and faces
the future with a proud past. ( Click image
or here for larger picture.)
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| 1713 |
Bienville sent
two of his French armies with the mission to exterminate the Chickasaw
Indians. D'Artaguette, one of the generals was captured and burned at the
stake. |
| 1799 |
1st mention
of "Pontotoc" officially when 17 year old son of the missionary, Joseph
Bullen applied to open a school. |
| 1821 |
Thomas C. Stuart
began the Monroe Mission in order to convert the Chickasaw nation to Christianity. |
| 1832 |
The Treaty
of Pontotoc Creek was signed. |
| 1836 |
The County
was officially organized. |
| 1837 |
Colonel William
M. Leland and Charles A. Bradford established the county's first newspaper,
"The Chickasaw Union." |
| 1839 |
Pontotoc had
50 percent of the State's representation in National Congress |
| 1840 |
The first courthouse
was built. |
| 1886 |
The Ripley
Railroad was extended from Ripley, MS to Ecru, MS. |
| 1888 |
The Ripley
Railroad was furthered to Pontotoc. |
| 1917 |
The new courthouse
was dedicated. |
| 1918 |
Chickasaw College
became co-educational. |
| 1924 |
Main Street
was paved. |
| 1935 |
TVA brought
electricity to the county. |
| 1966 |
Airport completed. |
| 1975 |
Old Natchez
State Park opened. |
| 1976 |
New Library
Dedicated on Main Street |
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