Booneville, Mississippi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Booneville, Mississippi
City
South Main Street
Flag
Nickname(s):  The City of Hospitality
Location in Prentiss County and Mississippi
Booneville, Mississippi Location in Mississippi Show map of Mississippi Booneville, Mississippi Location in the United States Show map of the United States Booneville, Mississippi Location in North America Show map of North America
Country	United States
State	Mississippi
County	Prentiss
Settled	1858
Incorporated (city)	1861
Area
• Total	25.79 sq mi (66.79 km2)
• Land	25.75 sq mi (66.70 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation	489 ft (149 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,126
• Density	354.37/sq mi (136.82/km2)
Demonym(s)	Boonevillian
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	38829
Area code(s)	662
FIPS code	28-07780
GNIS feature ID	2403898
U.S. Routes

Booneville is a city in the state of Mississippi, USA. It is the main town, or county seat, of Prentiss County. You can find it in the hilly northern part of Mississippi.

Booneville is known as "the City of Hospitality." This name comes from the friendly nature of the people there. The city's flag, welcome signs, and website all show a magnolia blossom. This flower is a symbol of hospitality and is also the state flower of Mississippi. Booneville became an official city in 1861. It was named after R.H. Boone, who was related to the famous pioneer Daniel Boone. In 2020, about 9,126 people lived in Booneville. It's also one of 21 cities in Mississippi that are certified as great places for people to retire.

The city is home to Northeast Mississippi Community College. This college is the tenth largest community college in Mississippi based on how many students attend.

History of Booneville

The land where Booneville now stands was bought from a Chickasaw tribesman named Le-Ho-Yea. The buyers were B.B. Boone, G.W. Williams, and W.P. Curlee. The community was named after Colonel Reuben Holman Boone, a relative of the famous American pioneer Daniel Boone. The city was first planned in 1848 when a railroad was being built. Even though the town grew quickly at first, the American Civil War began in 1861, which slowed its growth.

Booneville and the Civil War

The Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which went through Booneville, was finished just before the Civil War. It became very important for moving soldiers and supplies. Because of this, it was a major target during the war. By 1866, a large part of the railroad was destroyed, causing big money problems for the company.

On May 30, 1862, a Union Army group led by Colonel Washington Lafayette Elliott came to Booneville. They destroyed the local train station and a large train filled with military supplies. They also captured about 2,000 sick and wounded Confederate soldiers.

Later, on June 28, 1862, a Union officer named Colonel Philip Sheridan set up defenses in Booneville. He heard that Confederate troops were planning to move from Tupelo to Corinth to try and take back a key railroad crossing. Confederate General James R. Chalmers led about 4,700 troops in an attack. They pushed the Union soldiers back a little. Most of the Union forces stayed on defense. However, Sheridan sent some cavalry (soldiers on horseback) to attack the Confederates from behind. About 65 Confederate soldiers were killed. The Union forces had one soldier killed, 24 wounded, and 16 missing.

Booneville and the Korean War

On December 22, 1950, a sad event happened at the Booneville Armory. An explosion and fire killed seven members of a local Army National Guard unit. These deaths are considered the first American casualties on home soil during the Korean War.

Geography of Booneville

Booneville covers about 25.7 square miles (66.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water. The city is mainly located along Mississippi Highway 145. This highway connects it to Mississippi Highway 30 in the south and Mississippi Highway 4 in the north. U.S. Route 45 also goes through the western part of Booneville. This highway links the city to nearby towns like Corinth and Tupelo.

Booneville's Climate

Booneville has a climate with fairly high temperatures and rain spread out throughout the year. This type of weather is called a "Humid Subtropical Climate." It means the summers are hot and humid, and the winters are mild.

People of Booneville (Demographics)

Booneville's Population in 2020

In 2020, the city of Booneville had 9,126 people living there. These people lived in 2,877 households, which included 1,710 families.

Education in Booneville

Students in Booneville attend public schools run by two different school districts. The Booneville School District serves the inner city area. The Prentiss County School District covers the areas just outside the city.

Booneville is also home to Northeast Mississippi Community College. Each year, more than 6,000 students attend this college. It serves students from five different counties: Prentiss, Tippah, Alcorn, Union, and Tishomingo.

Media in Booneville

Newspapers

• Banner Independent
• Prentiss County Progress

Television Stations

• WMAE-TV Channel 12 TV
• WHBH-CD Channel 34 TV

Radio Stations

• WBIP AM 1400 Hometown Radio

Transportation in Booneville

The Booneville/Baldwyn Airport is located about 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Booneville. It is jointly owned by the cities of Booneville and Baldwyn.

Famous People from Booneville

Many notable people have come from Booneville, including:

• George E. Allen, a political figure and football coach.
• Tracy Arnold, a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
• Harold Bishop, Jr., a professional football player.
• Cecil Bolton, a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians.
• Asya Branch, who was crowned Miss USA 2020.
• Travis Childers, a former congressman.
• Jamie Davis, a Southern rock musician.
• David L. Hill, a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project.
• Rhonda Keenum, who worked in the White House.
• Gene Kelton, a singer-songwriter and blues musician.
• Brad Mattox, a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
• Orma Rinehart Smith, a United States federal judge.
• Stanley Stubbs, a college baseball coach.
• Hayden Thompson, an American singer and rockabilly musician.

See also

In Spanish: Booneville (Misisipi) para niños