Florence is a small town in Rankin County, Mississippi. The first European-American family to come to the area was the Steen family. Mr. and Mrs. Steen came from South Carolina with their four sons, William, Elias, Robert and Silas, but Mr. Steen was lost along the way and no one every found out what had happened to him. Mrs. Steen and her sons settled near the site of the future town, which originally was known as Steen’s Creek. John B. Lewis was the next settler. He opened a store, post office, and race track. Later, Sam Ellis bought the store and race track. The Steen’s Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1824, and school houses were built in 1855 and 1885. Henry Whitfield, the school principal, later became governor of Mississippi. By 1900, there were several stores, a blacksmith shop, grist mill, steam cotton gin, and a hotel. The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad extended its tracks through Steen’s Creek. The son of Sam Ellis, who had taken over the store by then, offered to donate land for a railroad depot if the railroad would name the depot after his wife, Florence, and the town soon adopted that name. The town did not build or operate a town hall until 1979. Florence is situated along US Highway 59, south of Richland. Other nearby communities include Lakeland, Monterey, New Byram, Sinai, Star, and Whites. Jackson, Mississippi is about twelve miles to the north.
Recommended Resources
49 South Antiques & Flea Market
Offering decorative items, furniture pieces, antique toys, gift items, local goods, and other items, the Florence, Mississippi market has nearly eighty vendors. A map and directions to the facilities are given, with times, contacts, and other resources. Notices or announcements may be posted to the site.
http://www.49southantiques.com/
Berry’s Seafood & Catfish House
With two locations, one in Florence, the other in Magee, Mississippi, the restaurant offers lunch and dinner buffets, as well as catering services. Its menus, entrees, and special offers are posted, with a gallery of photographs, contacts, and information about its reservation policies.
http://www.berrysseafood.com/
Specializing in maternity and newborn photographic art, the portrait studio is located in Florence, Mississippi, just south of Jackson. A profile of the studio and business is presented, with a portfolio of their work, contacts, a blog, and a private login for clients.
http://www.cegracephotography.com/
The dental office in Florence, Mississippi offers general and cosmetic dentistry services, preventative care, porcelain crowns, white fillings and other services and techniques, which are discussed here. The office location, hours of operation, and appointment policies are posted to the site, along with patient reviews and patient education resources.
http://www.colefamilydentistry.com/
Hosted by Victory Congregational Methodist Church in Florence, Mississippi, Pack 85 was established in 2008. Associated with the Boy Scouts of America youth organization, Pack 85 is for boys in grades one through five, or aged seven through eleven. Membership information, meeting schedules, photographs, and camping information are available.
http://florencepack85.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unithome.aspx?UID=4591
Located on Beverly Drive in Florence, Mississippi, the Rankin County School District campus serves students in grades six, seven and eight. Student registration policies are posted to the site, along with lunch menus, a school calendar, employment opportunities, and access to various forms, lists and reports.
http://www.rcsd.ms/florencems
Originally, known as Steen’s Creek, the town of Florence, Mississippi is in Rankin County. A history and profile of the town is offered on the official municipal web site, along with a guide to local elected officials, administrative personnel, area churches, schools, attractions and events.
http://florencems.com/
Founded in 1899 as a mission church planted by Steen’s Creek Baptist Church, the congregation is currently located on Mullican Road in Florence, Mississippi, which was originally known as Steen’s Creek. Its history, beliefs, worship and fellowship times are published to the site.
http://www.hickoryridgebaptist.org/
Based just outside of Florence, Mississippi, the business offers African safari style and exotic game hunting, featuring more than fifteen species of wild game, from African waterbuck to Axis deer, all hunts guided Safari style, or through stand hunting. Its hunting packages are highlighted, including travel directions, lodging, and meals.
http://www.mcclainlodgehunting.com/
The Florence, Mississippi law firm represents plaintiffs in all types of litigation, including personal injury, product liability, collections, landlord-tenant disputes, subrogation, and wrongful death suits. Its chief attorneys are introduced, including their areas of practice, office location, hours of operation, and contacts.
https://ringerlawfirm.com/
Specializing in the sale of pre-owned vehicles, the used car dealership is situated along Highway 49-S in Florence, Mississippi. Its inventory is displayed on its site, and special offers are highlighted, along with an overview of its finance policies, directions, contacts, and hours of operation.
http://www.speedautossale.com/
A selection of used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs are offered by the auto dealership on Highway 49-S in Florence, Mississippi. Its inventory may be viewed online, including special offers. Staff introductions, its finance and loan operations, and information about selling a care are presented.
http://www.swainauto.com/
