Binnsville, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Binnsville, Mississippi
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John A. Byrd store in Binnsville, circa 1905
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 Binnsville, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Binnsville, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Kemper |
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 691705 |
Binnsville (sometimes called Binnville) is a ghost town located in Kemper County, Mississippi, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and very little remains. Once, Binnsville was a busy place for business and learning. Today, only a church and a cemetery are left to show where it once stood.
Contents
History of Binnsville
Early Beginnings
The first known settlement in the area was around 1840. This is when the Chapman (or Chatam) Church was started. Over time, this church became known as the Prairie Church. Later, it was called the Binnsville United Methodist Church. The church building was rebuilt in 1974.
The town got its name from George Binn. He moved to the area in the 1870s. George Binn opened a store and a post office, which helped the community grow.
A Busy Town
Binnsville was in the middle of a rich farming area. It was easy to transport goods because the town had access to a riverboat port. This port was on the Noxubee River, about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) north of the settlement.
By the late 1800s, Binnsville was a thriving place. About 500 people lived there. People described it as a "bustling town" and a "prosperous community." Binnsville had many businesses. There were as many as 16 stores, a post office, and two drug stores. The town also had three churches, a Masonic Grand Lodge, a cotton gin, and a grist mill. The Binnsville Cemetery was located just south of the main settlement.
Education in Binnsville
Education was important in Binnsville. In 1887, the Fairview Male and Female College was opened. This school had dormitories, which are like living spaces, for both boys and girls. It was known as a very good school.
By 1892, about 150 students were enrolled there. This college was special because it was the first school in Kemper County that taught both boys and girls. A famous person who graduated from this school was John H. Pinson, who later became a Senator in Alabama. The Fairview Male and Female College closed its doors in 1904.
Why Binnsville Disappeared
Binnsville began to decline for a few reasons. One big reason was that the state stopped working on the Noxubee River. This made it harder for riverboats to reach the town. Without easy river access, it became difficult to move goods and people.
Slowly, the town started to move. It shifted about 6 mi (9.7 km) southwest. This new location became part of the Scooba community. Scooba was located on the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which was a new and important way to transport things. Because of these changes, Binnsville eventually became a ghost town.
Famous People from Binnsville
- Doc Land, a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played baseball in the major leagues.
