Prentiss, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prentiss, Mississippi
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The Jefferson Davis County Courthouse is one of four sites in Prentiss listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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| Motto(s):
"The Natural Choice"
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Location of Prentiss, Mississippi
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 Prentiss, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Mississippi | ||
| County | Jefferson Davis | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2.99 sq mi (7.75 km2) | ||
| • Land | 2.99 sq mi (7.75 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 331 ft (101 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 976 | ||
| • Density | 326.31/sq mi (126.01/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
39474
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| Area code(s) | 601 | ||
| FIPS code | 28-59920 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0676320 | ||
Prentiss is a small town in the state of Mississippi, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Jefferson Davis County. In 2020, about 976 people lived there.
Prentiss is special because it's located on the Longleaf Trace. This is Mississippi's very first recreational path built on an old railroad line. It's a great place for walking, running, and biking!
Contents
History of Prentiss
Prentiss started out as part of Lawrence County. It was first called "Blountville" after an early settler and merchant named William Blount.
How Prentiss Got Its Name
In 1885, Blountville High School was built. A train station was added in 1903 when the Pearl & Leaf Rivers Railroad was finished. That same year, the town was officially named "Prentiss". It was named after Prentiss Webb Berry, who owned a lot of land in the area.
Becoming the County Seat
When Jefferson Davis County was created in 1906, the people voted. They decided that Prentiss would be the county seat. This means it's where the county government offices are located.
Prentiss Institute: A School for Change
In 1907, Jonas Edward Johnson and his wife Bertha LaBranche Johnson started the Prentiss Institute. This school was built on 40 acres of land. It became one of the best schools for African Americans in Mississippi.
At first, the school taught only elementary grades. It started with 40 students. Sometimes, their families paid for tuition with chickens, eggs, or farm produce! In 1926, a special classroom was built. By 1953, the school had grown a lot. It included a high school and a junior college. There were 44 teachers and over 700 students. The school also had 24 buildings and 400 acres of farmland.
In 1955, an organization called Heifer International gave 15 pure-bred cows to the school. The plan was for the baby cows to be given to families who needed them. What's interesting is that the school gave some of these animals to poor white families too. This showed a spirit of helping everyone. The Prentiss Institute closed in 1989. In 2002, it was recognized as an important Mississippi landmark.
A Famous Robbery
In 1935, a well-known gang, the Barrow Gang, robbed the bank in Prentiss. This was a famous event in the town's history.
Fighting for Equal Rights
In 1958, a local leader named Rev. H.D. Darby from Prentiss took a big step. He filed a lawsuit in federal court. He challenged Mississippi's strict rules for African Americans to vote. This was the first lawsuit of its kind in Mississippi. It helped pave the way for more equal voting rights.
Geography of Prentiss
Prentiss is located in the middle of Jefferson Davis County. It's easy to get to Prentiss using major roads. U.S. Route 84 goes around the town. This four-lane highway connects Prentiss to other towns like Collins to the east and Monticello to the west.
Mississippi Highway 13 also goes through Prentiss. It leads north to Mendenhall and south to Columbia. Another road, Mississippi Highway 42, goes southeast from Prentiss to Bassfield.
The town covers an area of about 4.9 square kilometers (or 2.99 square miles). All of this area is land.
Population of Prentiss
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 640 | — | |
| 1920 | 468 | −26.9% | |
| 1930 | 655 | 40.0% | |
| 1940 | 989 | 51.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,212 | 22.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,321 | 9.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,789 | 35.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,465 | −18.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,487 | 1.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,158 | −22.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,081 | −6.6% | |
| 2020 | 976 | −9.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Prentiss?
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 468 | 47.95% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 479 | 49.08% |
| Asian | 2 | 0.2% |
| Other/Mixed | 15 | 1.54% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12 | 1.23% |
In 2020, there were 976 people living in Prentiss. These people lived in 429 households, which are like homes or families living together. About 289 of these were families.
In 2010, the town had 1,081 people. Most of the people were White (60.3%) or African American (37.3%). A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds.
Fun Things to Do in Prentiss
Annual Events
Prentiss has a fun event each year called the "Run for the Roses 5K Run/Walk". It's a great way for people to get active and enjoy the town.
Places to Visit
If you visit Prentiss, here are some interesting places to see:
- The Holloway-Polk house – This is the oldest home in Jefferson Davis County that people have continuously lived in.
- Lake Jeff Davis – A nice place to go camping and have picnics. It's located southeast of Prentiss.
- Mt. Zion Church and Cemetery – This is the second-oldest African American church and cemetery in the county.
- Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church and Cemetery (built around 1847) – This is the oldest African American Baptist Church and cemetery in Jefferson Davis County.
Parks and Outdoor Activities
In 1993, a railroad company decided to stop using a train line that went through Prentiss. This was great news! It allowed the town to build the Longleaf Trace. This is Mississippi's first recreational path made from an old railway. It stretches between Prentiss and Hattiesburg.
Schools in Prentiss
Students in Prentiss go to schools that are part of the Jefferson Davis County School District.
High School Sports
There used to be a big football rivalry between the "Bulldogs" from Prentiss High School and the "Wildcats" from Columbia High School. Prentiss High School closed after the 2016-2017 school year.
In one famous game in the 1970s, the Prentiss Bulldogs were winning. But then, a Wildcats' player named Walter Payton scored two amazing touchdowns! He ran 95 yards for the first touchdown and 65 yards for the second. The Wildcats ended up winning the game. Walter Payton later became a very famous professional football player.
There is also a private school in Prentiss called Prentiss Christian School. It teaches students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade.
Local News
The community of Prentiss has its own newspaper called the Prentiss Headlight. It keeps everyone updated on local news and events.
Getting Around Prentiss
Transportation
You can get to Prentiss using Mississippi Highway 42, Mississippi Highway 13, and U.S. Route 84.
There's also a small airport nearby called the Prentiss-Jefferson Davis County Airport. It's about 3 miles west of the town.
Famous People from Prentiss
Many talented people have come from Prentiss, including:
- Thelma Farr Baxter, who was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
- Vincent Davis, a judge and former Mississippi senator.
- Al Jefferson, a professional basketball player who played for five different NBA teams.
- Felecia M. Nave, a chemical engineer and the 20th President of Alcorn State University.
- Clyde Otis, a well-known songwriter and record producer.
- Garland H. Williams, a specialist in law enforcement.
See also
In Spanish: Prentiss (Misisipi) para niños
