The Mississippi Delta city of Indianola is the county seat of Sunflower County, Mississippi. In 1882, the community was known as Indian Bayou as the site along the river bank was previously a Choctaw Indian village. Between 1882 and 1886, its name was changed to Eureka and Belengate before settling on Indianola in 1886. Minnie Cox became the first black female postmaster when she was appointed postmaster of Indianola in 1891. As the job was a respected position, and well paid, white resentment built and, in 1902, a petition was circulated requesting her resignation. As tensions grew, she submitted her resignation in 1903, but President Theodore Roosevelt refused to accept her resignation, instead closing the post office in Indianola and continuing her salary. As the US Senate debated the event for four hours, Cox left Indianola for her safety and did not return. The post office in Indianola was reopened with a white postmaster. Riley B. King, more commonly known as B.B. King, was born nearby, and considered Indianola to be his hometown. Indianola is situated at the junction of US Route 82 and US Route 49-W. Nearby communities include Baird, Boyer, Frazier, Heathman, Holly Ridge, Inverness, Markham, Moorhead, Purnell, and Sunflower. Greenville, Mississippi is about twenty-four miles west, and Winona is about fifty-six miles to the east of Indianola.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Commemorating B.B. King, the Blues musician who was born near Indianola, the museum is located on Second Street in Indianola, Mississippi. Membership information is presented, along with an overview of its exhibits, hours and prices, including group rates, reservation assistance, suggested itineraries, photographs, and guides.
http://bbkingmuseum.org/
First Baptist Church of Indianola
The congregation meets at its facilities on Catchings Avenue, Indianola, Mississippi. Sunday worship schedules, office hours and contacts, and a church calendar are published to the site, and the church’s senior pastor is introduced. A sermon archive and pastor’s blog are included.
http://www.fbcindianola.com/
Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America, the congregation meets on Sunday mornings and evenings, with other programs and activities taking place at other times, as recorded in its calendar of events. Announcements are published to the site, and an overview of its ministries is put forward.
http://www.firstpresindianola.org/
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, the private school offers preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school programs. Registration information and packets are featured, along with a directory of administrative and departmental personnel.
http://www.iaonline.org/
Indianola Church Street Heritage Festival
The annual summer event takes place in the city of Indianola, Mississippi, offering a variety of events which are subject to change from year to year, but may include a Civil Rights tour, live music, dancing, a parade, and competitions. A schedule of events, vendors, sponsors, and contacts are posted.
http://churchstfestival.org/
Indianola First United Methodist Church
Located on 2nd Street in Indianola, Mississippi, the UMC church offers both traditional and contemporary services. Sunday and weekday schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, staff contacts, office hours, and a sermon archive are featured.
http://fumcindianola.org/
Family owned and operated, the Indianola, Mississippi business offers a wide variety of pecan items, including snacks, specialty pecans, pecan halves and pieces, in-shell pecans, sugar-free pecans, Jack Daniel’s pecans, pecan gift tins, gift baskets and boxes, pecan candies, pies, cookies, and other sweets. Its wholesale, shipping and corporate gift policies are enumerated.
http://pecanhouse.com/
The official municipal web site offers a profile of the city, introduces its mayor, and provides a list of municipal services by department. Meeting agendas and minutes, administrative contacts, and a calendar of events are published, along with links to area schools and organizations.
http://www.indianola.ms.gov/
Sunflower County Consolidated School District
Headquartered in Indianola, the SCCSD serves as a liaison between the Mississippi Department of Education and the thirteen Sunflower County school districts, operating several elementary, middle school, and high school campuses throughout the county, each of which are highlighted here, along with a district calendar and staff directory.
http://www.sunflower.k12.ms.us/
Sunflower County Economic Development District
The SCEDD is headquartered in Indianola, Mississippi, the county seat. Available buildings and sites within the county are brought out, with information about the area’s work force, workforce development programs, transportation options, utilities, the quality of life, and other information about communities within the county.
http://www.sunflowercountyedd.com/
Formed from Bolivar County in 1844, Sunflower County was named for the Sunflower River, which runs through it. A brief history and profile of the county is presented, and meeting agendas and minutes are included, along with an overview of county schools, attractions, and events.
http://www.sunflowercounty.ms.gov/