Wikipedia

Greenville, Mississippi

For other places with the same name, seeGreenville (disambiguation).
Not to be confused withGreenwood, Mississippi.

Greenvilleis theninth-most populous cityin theU.S. stateofMississippi,and the largest city by population in theMississippi Deltaregion. It is thecounty seatofWashington County.The population was 29,670 at the2020 Census.

Greenville, Mississippi
City
Flag of Greenville, Mississippi
Flag
Official seal of Greenville, Mississippi
Seal
Nickname:
The Heart & Soul of the Delta
Motto(s):
The Best Food, Shopping, & Entertainment in the South
Location of Greenville in Washington County
Location of Greenville inWashington County
Greenville, Mississippi is located in the United States
Greenville, Mississippi
Greenville, Mississippi
Location in the United States
Coordinates:33°23′55″N91°2′54″W/ 33.39861°N 91.04833°W/33.39861; -91.04833
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyWashington
IncorporatedJune 24, 1870
(154 years ago)(1870-06-24)
Government
• TypeMunicipal government
•MayorErrick D. Simmons (D)[1]
Area
[2]
•City
27.67 sq mi (71.66 km2)
• Land26.89 sq mi (69.66 km2)
• Water0.77 sq mi (2.00 km2)
Elevation
131 ft (40 m)
Population
(2020)
•City
29,670
• Density1,103.18/sq mi (425.95/km2)
•Urban
38,300
Time zoneUTC−6(CST)
• Summer (DST)UTC−5(CDT)
ZIP codes
38701–38704, 38731
Area code662
FIPS code28-29180
GNISfeature ID0670711
Websitewww.greenvillems.org

History

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Early history

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This area was occupied by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. When the French explored here, they encountered the historicNatchez people.As part of their colony known asLa Louisiane,the French established a settlement at what becameNatchez, Mississippi.Other Native American tribes also lived in what is now known as Mississippi.

The current city of Greenville is the third in the State to bear the name. The first, (known asOld Greenville) located to the south nearNatchez,was the Jefferson County seat from 1803-1825[3]but became defunct soon after theAmerican Revolution,as European-American settlement was then still concentrated in the eastern states. This ghost town was in no way related to the second Greenville except that they eventually shared a name.

Many migrants came to the area of the future, second Greenville, located approximately 150 miles north of the first Greenville, from the eastern andUpper Southstates, seeking land for developing cotton plantations, and this area became a trading center for the region's plantations. In 1830 the United States Congress passed theIndian Removal Act,which authorized the government to make treaties to extinguish Native American land claims in exchange for lands west of the Mississippi River. They forced most of the Southeastern tribes toIndian Territoryduring the following decade.

After it became necessary to move the county seat of Washington County in 1844 due to loss of land to the newly formed Issaquena County, the not-yet established second Greenville was designated to be the future county seat and finally became so upon its founding in 1847.[4]American William W. Blanton filed for land from the United States government and was granted section four, township eighteen, range eight west; this plot now constitutes most of current downtown Greenville (the third). It was named by its founders for GeneralNathanael Greene,friend of PresidentGeorge Washington,for whom the county was named. This Greenville was thriving hamlet in the antebellum years, as cotton plantations developed in the area generated high profits for major planters. They used indentured Whites, captured Indians and African slaves as farmhands on the plantations.

Washington County's two previous county seats,New MexicoandPrinceton,were located along the Mississippi River and had been eroded by the waters, to the point that they were destroyed.[5]As county seat, Greenville was the trading, business, and cultural center for the largecottonplantationsthat surrounded it. Most plantations were located directly on the Mississippi and other major navigable tributaries. The interior bottomlands were not developed until after the Civil War.

Greenville, seen from the Mississippi River

The destruction of Greenville and the Civil War

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The town (the second Greenville, eventually also referred to as Old Greenville[6]by its residents who may not have been familiar with Mississippi's first Greenville, which by then had disappeared) was destroyed during the Union Army's actions related to thesiege of Vicksburg.Troops from aUnion gunboatlanded at Greenville. In retaliation for being fired upon, they burned every building. The inhabitants took refuge in plantation homes of the area. When the war ended, veterans of Mississippi regiments returned to find Greenville in a state of ruin.

The former residents soon decided to build again. They chose a new site (the third, current Greenville) three miles away, at the highest point on the Mississippi River between the towns ofVicksburgandMemphis.Much of the land belonged to the Roach and Blanton families; the major part of the area selected was within property owned byMrs. Harriet Blanton Theobald.She welcomed the idea of a new Greenville, and donated land for schools, churches and public buildings. She was called the "Mother of Greenville".Major Richard O’Hea, who had planned the wartime defense fortifications at Vicksburg, was hired to lay out the new town.

Greenville recovered prosperity, still based on cotton, despite the decline in world markets for this commodity. In the early 20th century, its elite families had considerable political influence in the state, and US SenatorLeroy Percywas from here. Several residences and other buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.It was a center of Delta culture in the early 20th century. This city adapted the former site to serve asindustrial fill.

Nelson Street

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Nelson Street Mississippi Blues Trail Marker

African Americans in the Delta developed rich varieties of innovative music. Nelson Street is a historic strip of blues clubs that drew crowds in the 1940s and 1950s to the flourishing club scene to hearDelta blues,big band,jump bluesandjazz.Record companies came to Greenville to recruit talent.[7]It was similar toBeale Streetin mid-20th centuryMemphis.[8]

In the early 21st century, theMississippi Blues Commissionwas established to commemorate this music in the state's history and culture. It has identified sites throughout the Delta as part of theMississippi Blues Trail.

Southern Whispers Restaurant on Nelson Street in Greenville was the second site identified on this trail; this was a stop on theChitlin' Circuitin the early days of the blues. The historic marker in front of the restaurant commemorates its importance in the history of thebluesin Mississippi.[9][10]

21st century

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In 2020 the city ordered churches to shut down to prevent the spread ofCOVID-19and issued citations and fines to those attending a drive-in church gathering. TheU.S. Justice Departmentintervened on behalf of the church.[11]

Geography

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Walnut Street, 1994

Greenville is located on the eastern bank of Lake Ferguson, an oxbow lake left from an old channel of theMississippi River.[citation needed]

One floating casino is located on the lake near the downtown area known as the Trop Casino Greenville, with a second just west of the city near theGreenville Bridgeknown as Harlow's Casino Resort. Chicago Mill and Lumber Co. operated a lumber mill on the lake two-tenths of a mile south of the casino levee parking lot; the mill specialized in making hardwood boxes until it closed.[citation needed]

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 27.7 square miles (72 km2), of which 26.9 square miles (70 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (2.82%) is water.

Climate

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Climate data for Greenville, Mississippi,Greenville Mid-Delta Airport,1991–2020, extremes 1903–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 90
(32) 		91
(33) 		91
(33) 		96
(36) 		100
(38) 		107
(42) 		110
(43) 		107
(42) 		107
(42) 		99
(37) 		88
(31) 		85
(29) 		110
(43)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 53.0
(11.7) 		57.9
(14.4) 		66.0
(18.9) 		74.5
(23.6) 		82.7
(28.2) 		89.4
(31.9) 		92.5
(33.6) 		92.3
(33.5) 		88.0
(31.1) 		77.2
(25.1) 		64.7
(18.2) 		55.2
(12.9) 		74.5
(23.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 44.1
(6.7) 		47.9
(8.8) 		55.6
(13.1) 		64.0
(17.8) 		72.5
(22.5) 		79.4
(26.3) 		82.4
(28.0) 		81.6
(27.6) 		76.0
(24.4) 		65.1
(18.4) 		53.5
(11.9) 		46.2
(7.9) 		64.0
(17.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 35.1
(1.7) 		37.9
(3.3) 		45.2
(7.3) 		53.5
(11.9) 		62.4
(16.9) 		69.3
(20.7) 		72.4
(22.4) 		70.9
(21.6) 		64.0
(17.8) 		53.0
(11.7) 		42.4
(5.8) 		37.1
(2.8) 		53.6
(12.0)
Record low °F (°C) −1
(−18) 		−2
(−19) 		15
(−9) 		29
(−2) 		36
(2) 		49
(9) 		53
(12) 		50
(10) 		37
(3) 		25
(−4) 		16
(−9) 		−1
(−18) 		−2
(−19)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 4.49
(114) 		4.72
(120) 		4.71
(120) 		5.01
(127) 		3.79
(96) 		3.32
(84) 		3.18
(81) 		2.83
(72) 		3.62
(92) 		4.22
(107) 		4.01
(102) 		5.10
(130) 		49.00
(1,245)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 9.2 10.5 10.4 8.5 9.5 7.5 8.6 7.5 7.0 8.2 8.0 9.4 104.3
Source:NOAA[12][13]
Gamwyn Park Historic District, Bounded by Gamwyn Park Dr., N. Gamwyn Dr., E. Gamwyn Dr., S. Dr., and W. Gamwyn Dr. Greenville

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860760—
187089017.1%
18802,191146.2%
18906,658203.9%
19007,64214.8%
19109,61025.8%
192011,56020.3%
193014,80728.1%
194020,89241.1%
195029,93643.3%
196041,50238.6%
197039,648−4.5%
198040,6132.4%
199045,22611.4%
200041,633−7.9%
201034,400−17.4%
202029,670−13.7%
2023 (est.)27,644[14]−6.8%
Sources:
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

2020 census

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Greenville Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White 4,821 16.25%
Black or African American 23,787 80.17%
Native American 33 0.11%
Asian 264 0.89%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 493 1.66%
HispanicorLatino 269 0.91%

As of the2020 United States Census,there were 29,670 people, 12,142 households, and 7,405 families residing in the city.

2013 ACS

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As of the 2013American Community Survey,there were 33,928 people living in the city. 75.9% wereAfrican American,21.7%White,0.0%Native American,0.8%Asian,0.9% from some other race and 0.7%from two or more races.1.2% wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

2000 census

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As of thecensus[17]of 2000, there were 41,633 people, 18,784 households, and 14,422 families living in the city. The population density was 1,548.8 inhabitants per square mile (598.0/km2). There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 604.6 per square mile (233.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 28.92%White,69.60%Black,0.07%Native American,0.71%Asian,0.01%Pacific Islander,0.20% fromother races,and 0.49% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 14,784 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% weremarried couplesliving together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. Of all households, 25.8% were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.4% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,928, and the median income for a family was $30,788. Males had a median income of $29,801 versus $20,707 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $13,992. About 25.7% of families and 29.6% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 38.2% of those under age 18 and 23.6% of those age 65 or over.

1990 census

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As of thecensusof1990,there were 45,226 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 59.41% (26,867)Black or African American,39.54% (17,881)White,0.08% (37)Native American,0.41% (185)Asian,and 0.01% (4) fromother races.0.56% (252) wereHispanicorLatinoof any race.

Government

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Transportation

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Air

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Greenville Mid Delta Regional Airport,located inunincorporatedWashington County,[35]northeast of downtown Greenville, serves the city and theMississippi Deltaregion. Commercial passenger air service is currently provided byContour Airlineswith nonstopEmbraerregional jet flights to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Nashville (BNA).[36]

Transportation

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U.S. Highway 61,U.S. Highway 82and theGreat River Road(Mississippi Highway 1) are the main transportation arteries through the Greenville area. U.S. Highway 82 is a major part of the Mississippi Delta's transportation network, as it connects toInterstate 55and other major four-lane highways. In addition, the U.S. Highway 82 bypass is being constructed to provide a transportation route at the southern end of the Delta, connecting at the new Mississippi River Bridge and ending near Leland. The four-laneGreenville Bridge,a $206 million cable-stayed span crossing theMississippi RiverintoArkansas,opened in 2010, replacing the two-laneBenjamin G. Humphreys Bridge,which opened in 1940.

Rail

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TheColumbus and Greenville Railwayoperates the Greenwood–Greenville rail line for freight traffic. North of Greenville, theGreat River Railroad's line toRosedalebranches off.

Economy

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Circa 2008 there were ten grocery stores operated byethnic Chinese people.There were 42 such stores in the city in 1951, but since then there had been a flight of ethnic Chinese from the Delta.[37]

Education

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Most of Greenville is served by theGreenville Public School District,while a small portion of the city lies in theWestern Line School District.[38]Greenville High Schoolis the public high school of the Greenville district, whileO'Bannon High Schoolserves Western Line residents.

The private schools,Washington SchoolandGreenville Christian School,[39]also serve the city, as well asSt. Joseph Catholic School(K-12),[40]a parochial school which is part of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Jackson.The diocese formerly operated Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School,[41]which merged into St. Joseph in 2016.[42]

The Greenville Higher Education Center offers non-credit community courses and credit courses fromDelta State University,Mississippi Delta Community College(MDCC), andMississippi Valley State University.[43]All of Washington County is in the service area of MDCC.[44]

Media

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Delta Democrat Timesis the daily newspaper of the town.

Sports

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TheGreenville Buckswere a minor-league baseball team in theCotton States Leaguefrom 1922 to 1955.

TheGreenville Bluesmenwere an independent minor league professional baseball team from 1996–2001 in Greenville.

TheMississippi Miracles,formerly theMississippi Stingers,were anAmerican Basketball Associationfranchise from 2004–2006 in Greenville.

Greenville will become host to a mega-sports complex for young athletes.[citation needed]

Sites

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Main article:Winterville site

TheWinterville Mounds Historic Site,with more than twelve earthwork mounds constructed by people of thePlaquemine Mississippian culture,is a survival north of the county seat of the deep indigenous history along the Mississippi River. This culture was particularly prominent from 13th to the 15th centuries, long before European exploration. Earthwork mounds were built by peoples in this area from the 9th century. The people in this region were influenced by the largerMississippian culture,which built similar ceremonial sites throughout the Mississippi Valley and its tributaries. The historicNatchez peopleare considered the only contemporary surviving group of the Mississippian culture at the time of European exploration.

The Winterville Mounds has been designated as a state park andNational Historic Landmark.A museum on the grounds displays artifacts recovered in professional excavations and adds to the interpretation of this complex, and the park has walking trails. It is located about 3 miles north of the city. It can be reached at 2415 Highway 1 N.

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The moviesCrossroads(1986) andThe Reivers(1969) were filmed in Greenville.[45] Also, the 1975 song "Mississippi"by the Dutch bandPussycatmentions Greenville throughout the song.

The movieDjango Unchained(2012) is set in Greenville for some scenes.[46]

Notable people

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Born in Greenville

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Sister cities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Over 300 Democratic Mayors Endorse Vice President Kamala Harris".Democratic Mayors.Retrieved2024-11-29.
  2. ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 24,2022.
  3. ^"Old Greenville Historical Marker".
  4. ^"Washington County Historical Papers"(PDF).
  5. ^Woods, Woody (2010).Delta Plantations: The Beginning.Troy (Woody) Woods. pp. 157, 158.ISBN9780615383958.
  6. ^"Washington County Historical Papers"(PDF).
  7. ^ Cloues, Kacey (November 2007)."Great Southern Getaways – Mississippi"(PDF).Atlanta Magazine.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 18, 2008.Retrieved2008-05-31.
  8. ^ "Introducing the Mississippi Blues Trail"(PDF).The Mississippi Blues Commission. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2008-05-29.Retrieved2008-05-29.
  9. ^"Blues Matters! – Delta sites to be included on new blues trail".www.bluesmatters.com.Retrieved2008-05-28.[dead link‍]
  10. ^"Mississippi Blues Commission – Blues Trail".www.msbluestrail.org.Archivedfrom the original on 2008-05-09.Retrieved2008-05-28.
  11. ^Williams, Pete (April 14, 2020)."CORONAVIRUS Justice Department defends Mississippi drive-in church service".Retrieved22 April2020.
  12. ^"NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 9,2021.
  13. ^"Station: Greenville ASOS, MS".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 9,2021.
  14. ^"QuickFacts: Greenville city, Mississippi".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 5,2024.
  15. ^"U.S. Decennial Census".Census.gov.RetrievedAugust 21,2013.
  16. ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.Retrieved2021-12-06.
  17. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Retrieved2008-01-31.
  18. ^"H & N Wilczinski".The Weekly Democrat-Times.October 1, 1887 – viaNewspapers.com.
  19. ^"Railroad Election".The Weekly Democrat-Times.April 7, 1888 – viaNewspapers.com.
  20. ^"The Greenville Election".The Daily Commercial Herald.December 10, 1889 – viaNewspapers.com.
  21. ^ab"Greenville Mayor Quits and Hunt is Successor".The Semi-Weekly Leader.July 14, 1920 – viaNewspapers.com.
  22. ^"Schelben Park to lose some amenities".The Washington Times.September 5, 2014.The park at Lake Ferguson dates to the late 1950s and is named for former Mayor Fred Schelben, who served from 1928 to 1932.
  23. ^"Magruder At Banquet - Retired Admiral Will Speak At Greenville".Clarion-Ledger.January 2, 1932 – viaNewspapers.com.
  24. ^"Milton C. Smith, Greenville Mayor".The Greenwood Commonwealth.December 12, 1933 – viaNewspapers.com.
  25. ^"New Greenville Mayor".Sun Herald.December 31, 1943 – viaNewspapers.com.
  26. ^"City, County Officials take Office Monday".The Delta Democrat-Times.January 3, 1964 – viaNewspapers.com.
  27. ^"Former Police Chief Wins Demo Nomination for Greenville Mayor".Hattiesburg American.October 7, 1975 – viaNewspapers.com.
  28. ^"Incumbent Greenville Mayor Loses Runoff Election".Clarion-Ledger.July 18, 1990 – viaNewspapers.com.
  29. ^ab"Greenville Mayor Resigns".The Clarksdale Press Register.July 20, 1990 – viaNewspapers.com.
  30. ^ab"Four Campaign for Mayor".Hattiesburg American.August 10, 2003 – viaNewspapers.com.
  31. ^"Democrat Hudson Makes History, Is Elected Greenville Mayor".The Greenwood Commonwealth.December 9, 2003.
  32. ^"New Greenville Mayor Jordan Takes Office Jan. 3 - Jordan Defeated McGee In Monday's Election".WAPT.December 15, 2011.
  33. ^ab"Greenville mayor resigns following cancer diagnosis".WAPT.September 19, 2012.
  34. ^"Attorney Elected Greenville Mayor".Clarion-Ledger.October 24, 2012 – viaNewspapers.com.
  35. ^"Greenville city, MississippiArchived2008-05-10 at theWayback Machine."U.S. Census Bureau.Retrieved on July 15, 2011.
  36. ^"Route Map".
  37. ^Thornell, John G. (2008)."A Culture in Decline: The Mississippi Delta Chinese".Southeast Review of Asian Studies.30:196–202.[permanent dead link‍]
  38. ^"School District Reference Map (2010 Cenus): Washington County, MS."U.S. Census Bureau.Retrieved on July 4, 2017.
  39. ^Greenville Christian School websiteArchived2008-07-05 at theWayback Machine
  40. ^"St. Joseph Catholic School, Greenville, Mississippi".Stjoeirish.org.Archivedfrom the original on 18 September 2015.Retrieved21 September2015.
  41. ^Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School websiteArchived2008-09-08 at theWayback Machine
  42. ^"2020-21 Parent/Student Handbook"(PDF).St. Joseph Catholic School. p. 6/42.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2021-05-14.Retrieved2021-05-14.-Linked from here
  43. ^Emerson, Melaney."MDCC – GHEC".ghec.org.Archived fromthe originalon 28 May 2013.Retrieved21 September2015.
  44. ^"About MDCC".Mississippi Delta Community College.Retrieved2021-05-12.Service District Bolivar, [...]
  45. ^Barth, Jack (1991).Roadside Hollywood: The Movie Lover's State-By-State Guide to Film Locations, Celebrity Hangouts, Celluloid Tourist Attractions, and More.Contemporary Books. Page 170.ISBN9780809243266.
  46. ^Vance, Kelly (December 24, 2012)."Django Unchained".East Bay Express.RetrievedOctober 26,2020.
  47. ^"Steveazar".Steve Azer. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2013.RetrievedJune 21,2014.
  48. ^"Heather McTeer Toney".Moms Clean Air Force.Retrieved2020-09-22.
  49. ^"Stax star J Blackfoot Dies".The Commercial Appeal.30 November 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 20 November 2013.Retrieved6 February2014.
  50. ^Illinois Blue Book 1985–1986,"Biographical Sketch of Charles Chew", p. 79
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  52. ^"Carla Hughes".Mdoc.state.ms.us. Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 23,2015.
  53. ^(1987, August 31st) "First Black Police Chief Hired in Greenville, Miss." JET, Vol 72, No. 23, p. 10
  54. ^"Band director with HBCU roots making history at LSU".Wbrz.com.Retrieved2022-11-23.
  55. ^Buchannan, Minor Ferris."Holt Collier: Guiding Roosevelt through the Mississippi [Canebrake]."Archived2010-05-27 at theWayback MachineU.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Conservation LibraryArchived2009-08-12 at theWayback Machine
  56. ^"Home – Holt Collier – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service".fws.gov.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 21,2015.
  57. ^Losson, Christopher."Samuel Gibbs French (1818–1910) Confederate General".www.mississippiencyclopedia.org.Retrieved11 October2021.
  58. ^"Sid Salter, GOP pioneer Clarke Reed faces post-crash surgeries, June 25, 2010".DeSoto Times Tribune. 25 June 2010.Archivedfrom the original on May 12, 2014.RetrievedMay 12,2014.
  59. ^Forrey, Kathy (August 1, 1990)."More than 200 pay homage to Yarborough".Lake Elsinore Valley Sun-Tribune.Retrieved2022-07-22– viaNewspapers.com.
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