Mount Carmel, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Carmel, Mississippi
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 Mount Carmel, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Mount Carmel, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Jefferson Davis |
| Elevation | 492 ft (150 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 673998 |
Mount Carmel is a ghost town in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it's not a busy community anymore.
Long ago, in the 1800s, Mount Carmel was a lively place. Today, not much is left except for a museum inside an old, important house.
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History of Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel is one of the oldest settlements in Jefferson Davis County. It has a long and interesting past.
Early Days and Growth
A church called Mt. Zion Methodist Church was started near Mount Carmel in 1817. This shows how early people began settling here.
In 1819, a soldier from the American Revolution named John Ragan planned out the town. At that time, it was part of Covington County. His plan included streets, building lots, and a big open area in the middle with two natural springs.
Mount Carmel officially became a town in 1835. It had a few stores and two churches, showing it was a growing community.
Education in Mount Carmel
The town was also known for its school, Mount Carmel Academy. This school opened before 1830 and taught both boys and girls. It was a well-respected school and at one point had 70 to 80 students. The school moved to a new location in 1845.
In 1852, a traveler named Benjamin L.C. Wailes visited Mount Carmel. He wrote that the town was located on a nice, flat area with oak and hickory trees. He noted that it had about 70 people and a few busy country stores. He felt it was a prettier place than nearby Williamsburg.
Around 1873, a large house was built in Mount Carmel by John Fielding Holloway. This house is still standing today and is the only building left from the 1800s in the community.
Changes and Decline
A big change happened when new railroads were built. The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was built in 1899, and the Mississippi Central Railroad in 1903. These railroads did not go through Mount Carmel.
Because the trains didn't stop there, many businesses and people moved away. They went to towns that were on the new railway lines, like Prentiss, Bassfield, or Collins. In 1904, Mount Carmel was officially no longer a town.
Rebirth and Community Spirit
Even though it was almost empty, Mount Carmel started to grow again in the early 1900s. This happened when African-Americans began buying land in the town and the areas around it.
The new community became successful. It had all the important services, goods, and farm products needed for people to live well. In 1911, a leading African-American farmer and businessman named Robert Decatur "Cap" Polk bought the Holloway House. He also set up a large, modern farm nearby.
Today, the Holloway House is called the John Fielding Holloway House. It is one of the oldest places in Jefferson Davis County where people have continuously lived. The house is now a historical and cultural center, and you can take tours there to learn about its past.
Notable People from Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel has been home to some important people.
- Raylawni Branch: She was a leader in the Civil Rights movement. She also became an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Raylawni Branch grew up in Mount Carmel.
- Alexander Graves: He served as a U.S. Representative for the state of Missouri.
