Utica, Mississippi is in southwestern Hinds County. Originally part of the Choctaw Nation, the area was ceded to the United States government in the Treaty of Doak’s Stand, but was settled by European-Americans as early as 1780. The settlement was referred to as Cane Ridge, for the large number of cane breaks in the area. In 1835, it was renamed Utica, for the New York home town of Ozias Osborn, an early settler, as the US Post Office refused the town’s original name. At the time of the American Civil War, there were just over a hundred people in Utica, which was little more than a stop along the road. The Natchez, Jackson & Columbus Railroad (Little J) was constructed through the region in 1881, after which the town established five new streets to be nearer to the railroad. The Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad later established a stop, and Utica was a railroad town from 1880 to 1960, and the railroad suspended service altogether in 1981, pulling up its tracks. By 1900, the town had more than a hundred businesses and more than fifteen factories and mills, two newspapers, electricity, and a water system. Utica is home to the URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, operated by the Union for Reform Judaism. The town didn’t have a significant Jewish population until the camp was founded in 1970. Nearby communities include Adams, Bear Creek, Carpenter, Cayuga, Duke, Lebanon, Reedtown, and Reganton. Vicksburg, Mississippi is about twenty-five miles northwest, and the state capital of Jackson is about thirty-three miles northeast of Utica.
 
 
Recommended Resources
The Reform Jewish summer camp is situated in Utica, Mississippi. Its summer programs, year-round programs, and facility rental policies and availability are discussed, along with a history and profile of the camp, photographs, promotional video, a blog, and online registrations.
http://jacobscamp.org/
Serving the Baptist community of Utica, Mississippi, the church’s membership policies are stated, along with service times, a calendar of events, a photo gallery, staff contacts, office hours, a sermon archive, revival videos, directions, and a pastor’s blog. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.uticabc.com/
Associated with the Disciples of Christ, the non-denominational church was organized some time between 1830 and 1840. A profile and history of the church is put forward, along with a public calendar, program and service schedule, staff contacts, office hours, and sermon notes.
http://www.uticachristianchurch.org/
Utica Elementary Middle School
Established as the Utica Public School in 1879, the Utica, Mississippi school serves students in K-8th grade, and is a campus of the Hinds County School District. Its history, administrative staff and faculty are introduced, with contacts and office hours, school schedules and an overview of its athletics programs.
http://www.hinds.k12.ms.us/site/default.aspx?domainid=314
The official town web site identifies its mayor and aldermen, and provides administrative and departmental contacts, a phone directory, ordinances, meeting agendas and minutes, census data and demographics, a photo gallery, and public notices. Licenses, fees, and water bills may be paid online.
http://www.townofuticams.com/