Turkey Creek Community Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Turkey Creek Community Historic District
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Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church in the Turkey Creek Community Historic District
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | Rippy Road environs Gulfport, Mississippi |
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| Area | 110 acres (45 hectares) |
| Built | dating from circa 1870 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow, Craftsman, Shotgun, Ranch |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000173 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 2007 |
The Turkey Creek Community Historic District is a special place in north Gulfport, Mississippi. It was founded by African Americans who had been freed from slavery. They started this community during the Reconstruction Era, which was the time after the American Civil War.
In 2007, this important community was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized for its historical value.
Contents
A Special Community's Story
How Turkey Creek Began
In 1866, a group of African Americans who had been freed from slavery started a new life. They settled along Turkey Creek on about 320 acres (130 hectares) of land. This land used to belong to the Arkansas Lumber Company.
Thomas and Melinda Benton were among these freed people. They bought a large amount of land, eventually owning half of the community. Other families later bought their property from the Bentons.
Life in the Early Community
Many of the first homes were built right next to Turkey Creek. The creek was very important. It served as a way for early settlers to travel and move goods.
People in the community often planted their own gardens. They grew fruit trees and raised animals like chickens or pigs. This helped them provide food for their families.
Exploring Turkey Creek Today
Homes and Nature
The historic Turkey Creek community is now surrounded by busy areas. To the south, you'll find the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. U.S. Route 49 is to the west, and an industrial waterway is to the north.
This historic area is mainly a residential neighborhood along Rippy Road. It is close to freshwater marsh wetlands and forests with strong, coastal trees. The main tree type is the live oak (Quercus virginiana). Other common plants include wax myrtle and saw palmetto.
The houses in Turkey Creek are mostly one-story cottages. They are built in a simple, local style. Besides homes, the community also has churches and schools. The most important natural feature is Turkey Creek itself. It winds for about 13 miles (21 kilometers) before joining Bayou Bernard.
Protecting the Community and Creek
Starting in the mid-1950s, new developments began to spread into Turkey Creek. These included factories, highways, airports, and new housing. This growth was part of Gulfport's expansion.
Even though Turkey Creek was older than the city of Gulfport, the city officially took over the community in 1994. This process is called "annexation."
After Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005, businesses started building more quickly. They moved further inland, into the Turkey Creek Community. This situation drew attention from across the country.
Because of this, a group called Turkey Creek Community Initiatives was formed. They worked with organizations like the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain and Audubon Mississippi. Their goal was to protect the natural areas and historical sites of the Turkey Creek Watershed. They wanted to prevent more damage from new business projects.
In 2021, American Rivers listed Turkey Creek as one of America's 10 Most Endangered Rivers. This was because new building projects continued to threaten the creek.
