Tocowa, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tocowa, Mississippi
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Center Hill Cemetery in Tocowa.
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 Tocowa, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Tocowa, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Panola |
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 662 |
| GNIS feature ID | 685752 |
Tocowa is a ghost town located near Batesville in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, and it is now mostly empty.
History of Tocowa
In 1938, a group called the Federal Writers' Project wrote about Tocowa. They thought its name came from the Chickasaw and Choctaw languages. They believed it meant "healing waters." But newer studies suggest the name might mean "broken and bent trees" or "firewood."
For many years, from the late 1700s to the 1800s, the town grew around a natural spring. Native Americans used this spring as a gathering place. They believed the spring's water had special healing powers. They thought it could heal warriors wounded in battle.
In 1867, a local newspaper, The Weekly Panola Star, described the spring. It called the spring "a fine, clear, and bold running mineral spring." The newspaper also said it had "known and well attested medicinal virtues." This means many people believed in its healing powers.
Tocowa also had its own post office. It was open from 1900 to 1921.
Famous People from Tocowa
Ronnie Musgrove, a former governor of Mississippi, was born and grew up in Tocowa. At that time, the town had a population of 42 people. A governor is the leader of a state government.
