Tag: Stone County

Fun Fact: Young Men’s Business Club

From W.P.A. Research Project

Subject: Stone County

(This was written around 1937.)

Young Men’s Business Club

The Young Men’s Business Club was formed in 1935 by some young business and professional men of Wiggins and Stone County for the purpose of developing a civic and industrial improvement program (similar to a Chamber of Commerce).

“The Business Club is a local organization and is not affiliated with any national organization.  Small monthly dues are paid by each member.  Applicants are carefully selected and investigated before being voted into membership.  It was mainly through efforts of the club members, that the W.P.A.S. Gymnasium Building was built in Wiggins, as they sponsored the project for the erection of same.  The building was completed several months ago and has been of great benefit to entire county, for athletic events, exhibits of different kinds, etc.”

Fun Fact: Mike Cain

Mike Annis Cain
Mike Annis Cain

Not sure the year of this photograph, but know it is a photo of a very young Mike Annis (now Cain) wearing her ballcap much like her much loved Dad, “Mutt” Annis, would do. Mike’s dream, with her friend Ruth Ellen Campbell (now Ford) was to have a museum in Wiggins. After many years of teaching Stone County’s children, and with the support of many others, that dream came true with the opening of the Old Firehouse Museum.

Fun Fact” The Lonesome Pine”

April 12, 1937 from the Works Project Administration (W.P.A. Historical Research Project) and the State Forestry Commission:

There is a  famous tree known as “The Lonesome Pine”  located in the forks of Red and Flint Creeks, about 6 miles SE of Wiggins.

Tree Dimensions

Circumference —–  17 feet 6 inches

Diameter—–5 feet 6 inches

Height ——- 114 feet

Height to first limbs ——– 50 feet

Limb spread —– 78 feet

Species —– yellow bark short leaf pine

“The inaccessibility of this tree and its immensity is why it has never been cut.  During the life of Finkbine Lumber Company at Wiggins, one hundred dollars was offered to anyone who would deliver it to their mill.  One man attempted, but found it too large to handle.”

Do you remember this tree?  Do you remember what happened to it?  If so, please contact the Old Firehouse Museum and let us know!

Honor Roll: Boyce Holleman

Boyce Holleman
Boyce Holleman

 

Jesse Boyce Holleman (February 26, 1924 – November 21, 2003) was an American war veteran, attorney, politician, attorney, actor, and master story teller.

Boyce Holleman was born in Fruitland Park, MS, to a family that made their living in timber and construction. As a Naval Aviator in World War II, he was shot down while making a bomb run during the invasion of Saipan and spent 14 months recovering from severe injuries. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was awarded the Purple Heart.

 

Fun Fact: Stone High Tennis

Stone High Tennis - 5A South Champs
Stone High Tennis – 5A South Champs

Did you know the Stone High School tennis team is making history for Stone County?  This group of students is headed to the state tourney in Jackson this next week. Go Tomcats!

Source: http://www.misshsaa.com/Sports/Tennis/Brackets.aspx; Photo is from post by Lisa Argo Rowell on Facebook

Fun Fact: Stone County in the Mississippi Code

Map_of_Mississippi_highlighting_Stone_County

While it was the will of the people to create a new county from Harrison County, this officially occurred by act of the Mississippi Legislature in 1916.

Miss. Code Ann. § 19-1-131. Stone County.

Stone County is bounded by beginning at the northwest corner of section six, township two, south, range thirteen, west; thence running south along the eastern boundary line of Pearl River County to the southwest corner of section thirty-one, township four, south, range thirteen, west; thence running east to the southeast corner of section thirty-six, township four, south, range thirteen, west; thence running north to the northeast corner of section twenty-five, township four, south, range thirteen, west; thence running east to the southeast corner of section twenty-one, township four, south, range nine, west; thence running north along the eastern boundary line of Jackson and George Counties to the northeast corner of section four, township two, south, range nine, west; thence running west to the point of beginning. The county site is Wiggins.

HISTORY: SOURCES: Codes, Hemingway’s 1917, § 3892; 1930, § 3953; 1942, § 3088; Laws, 1916, ch. 527.

Fun Fact: Stone County 2030 Comprehensive Plan

Did you know that Stone County has a comprehensive plan for economic development that takes into account our history? The plan includes many interesting details about us.

Cover - Stone County 2030 Comprehensive Plan
Cover – Stone County 2030 Comprehensive Plan

 

Fun Fact: Red Creek Blueway

Red Creek
Red Creek

Growing up in Stone County, you probably learned to swim in one of two places – the Perk pool (at then Perkinston Junior College) or in Red Creek. The latter was more likely the case. Chances are that your “spot” of choice was either at City Bridge or at the Highway 49 Bridge just north of the Perk turn-off. The clear waters with their reddish tint provided must relief on many a hot afternoon as well as provided lots of food for the table.

Today Red Creek is, in part, protected and promoted by The Land Trust of the Mississippi Coastal Plain. The Red Creek Blueway is a public waterway from Highway 26 west of Wiggins to its joining with Black Creek and has been designated one of Mississippi’s Scenic Streams.

The easternmost segment of the Blueway begins at Cable Bridge and ends at Highway 15. Along this segment, you will see the natural springs that feed the creek close to the historic site of the historic Ramsey Springs Hotel.

Sources: http://www.ltmcp.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Blueway_brochure_low_web.pdf;  http://www.wlox.com/story/15598988/non-profit-to-restore-old-ramsey-springs-hotel-site, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsey_Springs,_Mississippi