Often known simply as Houlka, the town of New Houlka is in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. The community was originally established at the crossroads of the Native American trails known as the Natchez Trace and the Gaines Trace in the late 1700s as a Chickasaw Agency House established for trading with the Chickasaws who inhabited the area at that time. The settlement that grew up around the trading post was first known as Holkey, and dates back to 1794, when the United States took control of the area from England. A post office was established in 1826, at which time cotton was the primary driver of the area’s economy, and African slaves were imported to serve as slave laborers. During the American Civil War, Confederate forces under the command of General Samuel J. Gholson clashed with Union troops at a swamp crossing near Houlka, but no major battles were fought within the town. Houlka was incorporated in 1884, and a high school was established for the education of white students only. The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad came through the region that same year, but bypassed Houlka by one mile, after which businesses and residents began moving a mile east in order to be nearer the railroad, establishing New Houlka. By 1906, there were three churches, a bank, an academy a saw mill, and a plow factory in New Houlka, and the new town was incorporated that year, named New Houlka, while the former town site became known as Old Houlka, although Old Houlka is within the town limits of New Houlka today. The railroad going through New Houlka was abandoned in 2004, and a multi-use path known as the Tanglefoot Trail was formed along the path of the former railroad. Old Houlka is situated just outside the western edge of the Tombigbee National Forest. Nearby communities include Houston, Thelma, Thorn, Troy, and Wallfield. Tupelo, Mississippi is about twenty-nine miles northeast of New Houlka.
Recommended Resources
Affordable Furniture Manufacturing Company
Headquartered in New Houlka, Mississippi, the Affordable Furniture Manufacturing Company is a domestic supplier of promotional upholstered furniture, including stationary, motion and leather upholstery, recliners, sectionals, sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, chaises and accent pieces. Its products and customer support policies are defined, and a photo gallery is included.
http://www.affordablefurniture.ms/
Chickasaw County School District
Located on Griffin Avenue, in New Houlka, Mississippi, the public school system offers a PK-8th grade curriculum. Central office, faculty and staff contacts and office hours are presented, and a cafeteria menu, access to various reports and documents, and an overview of its athletics programs are included.
http://chickasaw.k12.ms.us/
The New Houlka, Mississippi based company produces mid-priced upholstered furniture, including traditional and contemporary styles of accent and occasional chairs, ottomans, a full line of sofa and love seats, swivel rockers, and others. Its location, contacts and office hours are posted, an overview of its products is given, and special offers are highlighted.
http://www.goldenchair.com/
Mississippi Rails: (New) Houlka, Mississippi
Offering a focus on its railroad history and heritage, the web site presents a history of the town of New Houlka, Mississippi, including maps, period photographs, demographic information, its post offices, and a list of the railroad that have served the town throughout its history.
http://www.msrailroads.com/Towns/Houlka.htm
The small town of New Houlka, Mississippi is in Chickasaw County. Its official web site offers a history and profile of the community, demographics, a calendar of events, and a guide to local churches, schools, businesses, attractions, and recreational opportunities, community photographs, and administrative contacts.
http://newhoulka.houstonms.org/
