Houston, Mississippi is one of two county seats for Chickasaw County, the other being Okolona. Judge Joel Pinson contributed land for the formation of a town on the condition that it be named for Sam Houston, a childhood friend. The city was once served by the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad as well as the Okolona, Houston & Calhoun City Railway, but these rail lines have since been abandoned and converted to a recreational trail. Prior to its settlement by European-Americans, the region was populated by the Hopewell people, and then the Chickasaws. The Spanish explorer, Hernando DeSoto, passed through the area in the early 1540s but left when he encountered Chickasaws whom he regarded as hostile. The French also considered the Chickasaws as troublesome, and made several failed efforts to wipe them out. When the area came into the hands of the British, they made two efforts to take control of the Chickasaw government but were resisted, although the Chickasaws remained friendly with the British throughout the American Revolution. However, once the area became part of the United States, a series of treaties and agreements designed to weaken the rights of the Chickasaws eventually led to their removal in the early 1830s. When Chickasaw County was created in 1836, Houston was also created as the county’s first seat of government, and was incorporated in 1837. After that, the town grew fast. By 1860, there were thirteen doctors and twenty-three lawyers in Houston. In 1845, Okolona was established as the second county seat, to serve the northeastern part of the county. Houston is situated at the southwestern edge of the Tombigbee National Forest. Nearby communities include Anchor, Buena Vista, Hollis, Houlka, McCondy, Old Houlka, Pyland, Sparta, Thelma, Thorn, Trebloc, Van Vleet, Vardaman, and Woodland. Tupelo, Mississippi is about thirty-five miles northeast of Houston.
Recommended Resources
Chickasaw County Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc.
Based in Houston, Mississippi, the county seat, the private, not-for-profit organization was put together in order to preserve historical documents, artifacts, photographs, and other items pertaining to the history of Chickasaw County, and to operate a museum for the display of such objects and exhibits. Membership policies and museum hours are posted.
http://www.chickasawcountyhistorical.com/
Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility
Operated by the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department, the county jail is located on Lancaster Court, Houston, Mississippi, the county seat. Visitation policies, inmate programs, and commissary information are put forward, and an inmate search can be detected through the site.
http://www.ccrcf.com/
Chickasaw Development Foundation
Founded in 1953, the CDF is one of the oldest economic development organizations in northeastern Mississippi, encouraging economic growth in Houston and Chickasaw County. A membership directory, calendar of events, and profiles of the county’s primary communities are featured.
http://www.houstonms.org/
The full-service flower shop has been in business in Houston, Mississippi for nearly a century, currently offering occasional, holiday, seasonal, and custom floral arrangements, live plants, gift baskets, and prom flowers, which may be purchased online, for local delivery, or at the shop. Its hours of operation, delivery policies and delivery area are specified.
http://www.clarkflorist.net/
First Baptist Church of Houston
A map and directions to the church in Houston, Mississippi are featured, along with staff contacts, office hours, a service schedule, calendar of events, and an overview of its ministries and programs. Live broadcasts of Sunday sermons may be viewed through the site, and a library of sermon video is also available.
http://www.fbchouston.com/
The auto dealership is located on North Jackson Street in Houston, Mississippi, offering new Dodge trucks, Chryslers and Jeeps, as well as a selection of pre-owned vehicles. Its inventory is highlighted, along with its finance policies, service center, and hours of operation.
http://www.griffinmotorsinc.com/
In business since 1910, the full-service funeral home in Houston, Mississippi is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association. Directions, a staff directory, service options, and information about its pre-planning programs are put forward, and obituaries are published to the site.
http://www.houstonfuneralhomems.com/
Operating Houston High School, Houston Middle School, Houston Upper Elementary School, Houston Elementary School, Houston Lower Elementary School, and Houston School of Science & Technology, each of which are highlighted here, the Houston, Mississippi school system offers a PK-12th grade curriculum as well as a vocational training program.
http://houstonmsschools.com/
One of two county seats for Chickasaw County, the city was named for Sam Houston. The official municipal web site features a profile of the city, an introduction to its board of aldermen and administrative officials, office hours and contacts, as well as department locations, permit and licensure information.
http://www.houston.ms.gov/
TRH serves Chickasaw County through its hospital facility in Houston, Mississippi, as well as three family clinics in Houston, one in Okolona, and another in Vardaman, the Floy Dyer Manor Nursing Home, and Trace Pathways, offering mental health care for older adults. Its locations, contacts, career opportunities, and announcements are posted.
http://www.traceregional.com/
