Perkinston, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Perkinston, Mississippi
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The main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston.
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 Perkinston, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Perkinston, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Stone |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
39573
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| Area code(s) | Area code 601 |
| GNIS feature ID | 675617 |
Perkinston is a small community located in central Stone County, Mississippi, in the United States. It is not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it is an unincorporated community. You can find Perkinston along U.S. Highway 49, about five miles south of a town called Wiggins. This community is also part of the larger Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History of Perkinston
When Perkinston Started
Perkinston was founded in 1880. This makes it the oldest settlement in all of Stone County. The community was named after John C. Perkins. He was a man who settled in this area after serving in the Confederate Army.
Early Industries and Growth
The Perkinston area had many large forests. Because of this, early businesses focused on cutting timber (wood) and making turpentine. Turpentine is a liquid that comes from pine trees.
The community grew when the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was built through the village in the late 1890s. This railroad helped transport goods and people. In 1911, Perkinston became home to the Harrison County Agricultural High School. This school later grew into the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Even though it was a small village, Perkinston had important places like a post office, a general store, churches, and a gas station.
Tall Tower and Fun Park
Perkinston is also home to the WLOX TV Tower. This tower is very tall, standing at about 1,319 feet (402 meters). It is one of the tallest structures in the United States. In 2005, a large park for ATVs opened west of Perkinston. It covers about 250 acres (101 hectares) and is a fun place for riding ATVs.
Education in Perkinston
Students in Perkinston attend schools run by the Stone County School District. The main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is also located right here in Perkinston. This college offers many different programs for students.
Transportation Around Perkinston
Highways and Roads
The main highway that runs through Perkinston is U.S. Route 49. This road connects Perkinston to other towns and cities.
Railroad Connections
The Kansas City Southern Railroad also has tracks that pass through Perkinston. This railroad is used for transporting goods across the country.
