Livingston, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Livingston, Mississippi
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 Livingston, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Livingston, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Madison |
| Elevation | 289 ft (88 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 672734 |
Livingston is a small, special community in Madison County, Mississippi, United States. It is an unincorporated community, meaning it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
Once, Livingston was a very busy place for business. But it almost became empty after the Civil War. Today, new shops and homes are being built, bringing this historic community back to life!
Contents
History of Livingston
Early Days and County Seat
In 1829, Livingston became the main government center for the county, called the county seat. Before that, the county seat was in a place called Beatties Bluff. By 1833, a courthouse and a jail were built in Livingston. The town officially became a recognized community in 1836.
Later in 1836, the county seat officially moved to Canton. However, Livingston's courthouse was still used until 1858. So, for many years, Livingston was still the "unofficial" county seat.
A Busy Trading Spot
Livingston grew into an important place for trading goods. Many nearby farms and plantations used Livingston as their main business hub. This made the community a lively and active center.
A Methodist church was started in Livingston around 1830. There was also a Masonic Lodge, which is a social group, from 1854 to 1866. Sadly, during the Civil War, soldiers destroyed this lodge.
Decline and Revival
By the 1850s, new railway lines were built across the county. These railways did not go through Livingston. Because of this, most people and businesses moved away. The town became very quiet. Even though the post office stayed open until at least 1902, not much was left of the original town. Today, you can still find an old cemetery and the foundation of the court square.
New Development in Livingston
In 2012, a fun farmers market opened in Livingston. It offered fresh food and entertainment. This market quickly became a popular place to visit in the summer. Famous country music singers, like Travis Tritt, even performed there!
Because of this success, a big building project started in 2013. It cost $73 million! The project aimed to create a town square that looked like it was from the 1800s. It included a men's barbershop, a general store, and office buildings. There is also a restaurant named "The County Seat," which is a nod to Livingston's past. Two new neighborhoods for homes are also being planned.
Notable People from Livingston
Livingston has been home to some interesting people:
- Scott Winfield Bond: He was a successful businessman.
- Clarence B. Greaves: He served in the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives. These are groups of people who make laws for the state of Mississippi.
- Stephen A. D. Greaves Jr.: He was also a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1908 to 1912. He was Clarence Greaves' brother.
