Wahalak, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wahalak, Mississippi
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 Wahalak, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Wahalak, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Kemper |
| Elevation | 187 ft (57 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 692299 |
Wahalak is a small community located in the middle of Kemper County, Mississippi, in the United States. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.
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Exploring Wahalak's Past
Wahalak gets its name from Wahalak Creek, a nearby waterway. The name "Wahalak" probably comes from a word in the Choctaw language that means "to spread."
How Wahalak Began
The community first started in 1837. It was located about three miles east of where it is today, right on Wahalak Creek. In its early days, Wahalak had a bank and two special schools: one for boys and one for girls. The Wahalak Female Academy, the girls' school, opened in 1839.
This first Wahalak community was on an important route called a post road in 1842. Post roads were used to deliver mail and connect different places.
Moving Closer to the Railroad
Later, when the Mobile and Ohio Railroad was built, many people and businesses decided to move. They wanted to be closer to the new railroad, which made travel and trade much easier. The new location became known as Wahalak Station. The original settlement then became known as Old Wahalak.
Today, Wahalak is still located along the Kansas City Southern Railway line. A post office operated in Wahalak Station from 1860 to 1871. It then reopened as Wahalak from 1873 until 1951.
A Time of Conflict
In late December 1906, Wahalak and a nearby town called Scooba, Mississippi, experienced serious conflicts. These events led to the deaths of several people. The local sheriff had to ask for help from the state militia to restore order.
