Pontotoc Visitor's Guide 2022 by Journal Inc

VISITOR’S GUIDE 2022

Pontotoc is the perfect place to visit whether you live near or far. Come discover why so many people call this the great ‘staycation’ place. The hills and hollows offer all kinds of recreation from fishing to bike riding to golfing. You can enjoy a quiet afternoon in the sunshine on the benches in town or curl up with a book in the library. And if riding a bike is your forte´ you will want to make sure you check out the Tanglefoot Trail® which offers 44 miles of cycling or walking with 21 miles in Pontotoc County.

WELCOME

Thanks for

Dropping In!

e welcome you with open arms and appreciate you coming to visit. You won’t have to travel far to experience our hospitality and picturesque photo opportunities from our quaint downtown to our beautiful cotton fields. A visit to Historic Downtown Pontotoc is a must. Our Antique Shops and our Town Square Post Office will make you feel as if you walked back in time. If you love to shop, you’ll have plenty to choose from! 0ur gifts shops have beautiful merchandise, and you’ll find other shops ranging from makeup to formalwear to jewelry repair all in walking distance in the downtown area. Our flowerpots are always blooming a welcome in season and our Court Square will fill your heart with patriotism with the abundance of our country’s flags displayed during Patriotic Holidays. Cyclist from near and far rave about our Tanglefoot® Trail. This former railroad track is now a first-class biking trail. You can get on the trail at the First Choice Bank Trailhead Gateway located in downtown Pontotoc. You can enjoy 21 miles of scenic views in Pontotoc; however, the trail is 44 total miles running north to New Albany and south to Houston. If you don’t bike, don’t feel left out. You’ll see walkers and battery-powered golf carts on the trail too. If you enjoy fresh homegrown-tomatoes or farm-fresh eggs, visit our Farmers Market located Downtown. The Farmers Market normally opens on Saturday mornings in May with fresh canned jellies and ends with a fall market of pumpkins and corn stalks. It is also a great events venue when vegetables aren’t being sold. Food is always high on the list, and Pontotoc has plenty of choices. Whether you travel north, south, east, or west

Beth Luther Waldo

Director, Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Association

WELCOME

in Pontotoc County, there is delicious food in every direction. Our downtown has several locally owned restaurants, and in the Hwy 15 area, you’ll have choices of locally owned restaurants and franchises. And if you enjoy getting your lunch and eating outside at a picnic table, we have Tanglefoot Food Truck Park located near the Tanglefoot® Trail at the First Choice Gateway. We have restaurants out in the county that offer everything from catfish to plate lunches convenient to your travel. If camping and fishing in a beautiful setting is on your bucket-list, then you’ll want to check out Natchez Trace Lake. The eagles will enchant you while the water keeps you with a dazzling view. You should also visit Howard Stafford Park. You can camp, fish, and cool off at the splash pad. Add the Fourth of July Fireworks Show to your list of things to do at Howard Stafford Park also. Take a ride in the southern part of Pontotoc County and experience a feeling like no other when you visit the Amish. Riding by their farmhouses you’ll see signs at the end of their drives advertising what can be purchased. During the summer, fresh vegetables abound. If you’re looking for Pontotoc’s version of a Hallmark Movie Set, check out Downtown Ecru. The revitalization is beautifully done. You’ll find a locally owned grocery store, home decorating shops, restaurants, and character. You’ll also want to stop by the Town of Algoma; travelers of the Tanglefoot Trail frequently visit the Country Store located on the Trail as well as Seafood Junction. The rolling hills of the Town of Thaxton are pretty to see, and they are always planning events to bring their community together. And, you may want to plan a trip to the Town of Toccopola and enjoy the food at Toccopola Grocery. We hope you enjoy your stay in our place that we call home. Come see us!

INFORMATION

VISITOR’S GUIDE 2022

Published by the Pontotoc Progress in partnership with Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce

Welcome to Pontotoc Pages 4-13 Board of Supervisors...........7 City of Pontotoc...................8 Town of Ecru.....................9 Town of Algoma................10

Places to Visit Pages 14-32 Wise Family Farms............31

Places to Stay Pages 33-36 American Inn.....................34 The Cottage, Inzer Street...35

Ricky Ferguson..................11 Melinda Nowicki...............12 Van McWhirter..................13

Cherry Creek Orchards......32 Bodock Bed & Breakfast...36

Places to Shop Pages 3; 37-63 Friendship Travel Center.....3 Pure Bliss...........................38 Pontotoc Antiques..............39 The Gift Shop....................40 Market Basket....................41 Ella Ivy...............................42 The Red Door.....................43 Lundi’s Comfort Co...........44 Tanglefoot Market.............45 Price Cutter........................46 Moore’s.............................47 Pontotoc Shell Express......48 Fallen Oak.........................49 The Happy Hanger............50

Mulberry Cottage..............51 Christian Connections.......52 True Value..........................53 CK Walls/Trend to Pretend.54 The Carousel......................55 Reeder Farm Supply, Inc...56 Ecru Garden Center...........57 Aleigh’s Envy Boutique.....58 The Rack...........................59 Wood & Cloth....................60 H & R Jewelry....................61 Ultra Violet........................62 Olives & Apples.................63

Places to Eat Pages 64-79 Happy Day Cafe................66 Blacksmith’s BBQ.............67 Madge’s Country Store......68 Baps BBQ..........................69 The Butcher Block.............70 Algoma Country Store.......71 Snow Cream Corner...........72

Aunt Kimmie’s..................73 Lep’s BBQ.........................74 The Tin Nickel...................75 Nate’s Steakhouse.............76 Seafood Junction...............77 Montgomery’s on Main.....78 Montgomery’s on Oxford..79

Places for Help Pages 2; 80-100 Southern Garage..................2 Patty Turk Properties..........81 Napa - Service Supply..82, 95 Montgomery Drugs...........83 Renasant Bank...................84 Johnson’s Wrecker.............85 Wood Eye Clinic...............86 Boyles Tire.........................87 Mossy Oak Properties.......88 Estes Garage......................89

Young’s Tire Store.............90 Shannon & Graham...........91 Picken’s Pest Control........92 Southern Hills Realty.........93 Ivy Greene Academy..........94 Bank of Pontotoc...............96 Friendship Fitness................97 Friendship Pharmacy...........98 Friendship Medical Clinic...99 First Choice Bank............100

Pontotoc Progress

P.O. Box 210 • 13 E. Jefferson Street • Pontotoc, MS 38863 Phone: 662-489-3511; Fax: 662-489-1369 • pontotoc-progress.com

VISIT

Rain Or Shine, We’ve Got A

Smile Waiting On You

othing says you are welcome to sit and chat awhile like smiles and chairs and benches. Pontotoc has plenty of those down the side walks and on the court square with picnic tables and swings to quietly pass the afternoon away with your family and friends. From Ecru to Algoma folks put out the welcome mat asking you to stop and set a spell. Whether it is raining or the sun is shining there’s always a smile to make your day. Throughout our county there are places you can go to enjoy everything from reading to riding your bike. So come along with us and get a birds eye view of the fun you can have in Pontotoc.

VISIT

Howard Stafford Park

f the stresses of the day have you all wound up, there’s nothing like the glint of the sun on the water and the sound of children at play on the playground to help you relax and unwind after a hard day. Whether you are wanting a chilly winter stroll or a moment to sit under the shade on the summer, the climate of Pontotoc is just right for being outdoors whenever you like. All these are the welcome mat you will find a Howard Stafford Park. The park is utilized by fishermen, campers and parents who just want to get out and enjoy nature for awhile. From finding Easter eggs in the spring time to finding the right bream bed in the fall, Howard Stafford Park offers a relaxing enjoying time for all. The park is located on Highway 9 South in the city limits.

VISIT

Trace State Park

cross town off of Highway 6 East, if you want to stay in the woods with all the amenities of home, you can rent a modern cabin, or you can camp out in your own RV or tent at Trace State Park. You can also spend the day on your jet ski or searching out the best place to hook that trophy bass. The park offers some of the best bird watching around.

VISIT

Tanglefoot Trail

f you want to take a route that was reminiscent of traveling on the train in days gone by, take the Tanglefoot Trail. Although the train whistle has long been silenced folks can still take a ride along the railway on this trail, following the path that the trains of yore did through the red clay hills. Visitors and home folks alike can enjoy the scenic beauty of fresh leaves in the spring and summers cool respite to autumns splendrous glory as they enjoy the 21 mile trek in Pontotoc or just take on a quick jaunt in the afternoon. The birds are always singing a greeting as you enjoy the stroll or ride. The trail is a total of 44 miles long stretching from New Albany in Union County to Houston in Chickasaw County. Pontotoc County has a main gateway in the city and two whistle stops; one in Ecru and one in Algoma. At the First Choice Gateway, you can even walk in the security of well lighted path after dark, crossing the footbridge that remains lighted all night.

VISIT

Golf Course

erhaps Pontotoc’s best kept secret is in the rolling hills east of town; a virtual joy at the end of the rainbow, if you enjoy hitting off of the greens. Pontotoc has a full 18 hole golf course on Highway 6 East. The course is set in picturesque green hills as you wind through each hole that you play. And keep your eyes open beyond the end of your golf club because you may also catch site of fish jumping and eagles flying because one of the coves of Trace Lake come up to this recreation spot.

Amish Community

f you want to watch folks enjoy life as it was at the turn of the century, take a ride down on Hwy. 9 South and visit the thriving Amish community where you can see the arts of saddle making, plowing with mules and in the summer buy fresh vegetables.

VISIT

Pontotoc County Library

n this fast paced world of getting a few “bites” of information here and there it is nice to know there is a quiet relaxing place you can curl up with a good book. No matter what season of the year it is, you can spend time in the library enjoying all the services they have to offer. Located on Main Street just east of the Tanglefoot trail it is easily assessable and you will find a friendly helpful staff ready to answer any questions or meet your reading needs. The library has an exceptional space for you to enjoy spending time on the computer, perusing a newspaper or checking out your favorite novel. It is also kid friendly with computers just for kids as well as a reading section for young children. So come on in from the weather and take it easy with an afternoon of learning.

VISIT

Go Back In Time In

Our Museums

o matter where you turn in these hills there is a bit of history laying around. History comes alive in these hills because Pontotoc county has an active historical society that wishes to allow folks to touch, handle and experience life as it was in days gone by. The Town Square Post Office Museum affords you a long and lovely trip down memory lane whether you are visiting to learn more about Pontotoc, in Ecru you will soon learn about artist M.B. Mayfield’s life through his beautiful paintings as you tour his home in the heart of the town just off of the Tanglefoot. The Post Office is the only working historical post office in the nation. Now if you prefer driving to see historic places for yourself, on the following pages is a birds eye tour of the many places the have been marked across the county for you to visit. When you are driving, look for the brown marker that says Pontotoc Historic Tour. From Allen’sTavern to DeSoto’s Camp and Red Land your dry dusty history books will come alive as you visit the sites.

VISIT

Take In The Sites Of Our

Beautiful County Battle of Tupelo (See monument at Harrisburg) Date: July, 1864. Confederate losses: 153 killed, 794 wounded, 49 missing; Union losses: 77 killed, 559 wounded, 38 missing. Commanding Union Army: Gen. A. L. Smith. Confederates: Lt. Gen. S.D. Lee and Mal. Gen. N. B. Forrest. In 1864, this site was part of Pontotoc County.

The Natchez Trace Marker The Natchez Trace Marker on Hwy. 6 at Furrs, erected by DAR in 1932 on the original Natchez Trace with the following inscription: “Along this trail once ebbed and flowed a restless tide of humanity, heroes and pioneers, who blazed the way for civilization. Near this spot are sites of the Battle of Ackia, Desoto’s Battle and the signing of the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek in 1832.”

Bullen’s School Bullen’s School was the first school in this part of America and was begun in 1799 by the son of Rev. Joseph Bullen probably on the site of the Black Zion Cemetery. The Bullens resided at the home of James Gunn, site of the A. M. Ray home. The name Pontetok was first used in the report of the school’s establishment to educate the Chickasaws.

The old school is standing near where Cherry Creek Normal was started by B. R. Webb, before the Civil War.

Pontotoc’s Oldest House Pontotoc’s Oldest House is just across the street and south of the United Methodist Church. It was built in the 1830’s for the founder of Pontotoc, Thomas McMackin.

Federal Land Office Located on the corner of what is now Oxford and North Brooks St., the land office was built to handle the sale of Chickasaw lands following the signing of the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek. Appointees of President Andrew Jackson were sent from Nashville down the Natchez Trace, to handle the transactions. Among those appointed were Patrick Henry Fontaine, John Bell and D. B. Anderson.

VISIT

Old Cherry Creek School

VISIT

Chicasa or DeSoto’s Camp In the winter of 1540-41 Historian Dunbar Rowland tells us that DeSoto’s camp was in “Sec. 21, overlapping south into the N 1/2 of Sec. 28.” It was in this camp on Christmas Day, 1540, that the first Christian marriage in America was performed between Juan Ortiz and Sa-Owana, a Seminole princess held captive by the Spaniards. A mural in the Pontotoc Post Office in Pontotoc, MS depicts this scene.

Campground Methodist Church Campground Methodist Church is west of Hwy. 41 and the Archives and History marker is at the intersection of the Campground Road. It was started in an Indian hut in 1836 and was on the Natchez Trace.

The Pontotoc City Cemetery The Pontotoc City Cemetery was given to the City of Pontotoc by the Chickasaws and the U.S. Government on June 22, 1852, because “many Chickasaws and their white friends were buried there.” Maj. Gen. William Colbert was buried there in 1835. The Rev. Thomas C. Stuart, missionary to the Chickasaws, is also buried in the City Cemetery.

On a ridge just east of Hwy. 41 are 11 tombstones inscribed, “Unknown Union Soldier.” Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry pursued Union General “Sooy” Smith in a running fight from Okolona to just south of Pontotoc.

Chickasaw Female College, 1836-1936 On November 4, 1836, Thomas McMackin gave the land for the use of female education. The school was incorporated as Pontotoc Female Academy; then Chickasaw College, owned and operated by the Presbyterian Church. The site is located just behind the present Pontotoc Hospital.

Tockshish or Mclntoshville Near where Toxish Church now stands, was established by John McIntosh, a British agent, before 1770. Mclntoshville was Mississippi’s second post office and was established in 1801 as a relay station between Nashville and Natchez.

Route of the Invaders Union Armies came to pillage, loot and burn beginning in late 1862. Pontotoc Countians lived with these tactics almost to the war’s end. The last great raid was the 15,000 man army of Gen. A. J Smith that ended in the Battle of Tupelo. (Harrisburg)

VISIT

Graves of Unknown Union Soldiers

VISIT

Lochinvar The antebellum home of Drs. Forrest and Janis Tutor, was built by Robert Gordon in 1842. Gordon bought the land from a Chickasaw woman, Molly Gunn, daughter of William Colbert and wife of James Gunn.

Allen’s Tavern Old Pontotoc was located about five miles southeast of the present town of Pontotoc. Allen’s Tavern was the “town hall” of the Chickasaw villages. It was located on the Natchez Trace on Tubbee’s Ridge, in Sec. 23, T10, R3. James Allen, the proprietor and attorney from Nashville, had married the daughter of his friend, Maj. Gen. Wililam Colbert. Historians tell us that Gen. Andrew. Jackson, more than once, stopped for a visit and to spend the night with the Allens.

The Stephens House This two-story pioneer home is on the west side of old Cherry Creek Road and was built in the early 1840’s. It was the first meeting place of the Cherry Creek Baptist Church, which was organized there in 1844.

Defeated for reelection to Congress in his home state of Tennessee, he gathered a drove of horses and brought them down the Natchez Trace to the Pontotoc area. He joined friends already here and built a horse corral in the middle of what is now Trace State Park and ran a thriving business. When Davy Crockett learned of the Texas revolt and the troubles of his friend, Sam Houston, he closed his horse trading business in order to join him in Texas. He was later killed at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

The Chickasaw National Council House The Chickasaw National Council House was located about one half mile southeast of the Mississippi Archives and History marker at the intersection of Hwy. 342 and C. R. 853. Actual location on 1834 surveyor’s plat indicated council house by a small square topped by a cross and labeled “Council House.” Andrew Jackson spoke to the Chickasaws here when the Treaty of 1816 was signed. In the Pontotoc Creek Treaty, which was signed here on October 20, 1832 Chickasaws ceded more than 6 million acres to U. S. Government.

Battle of Brice’s Crossroads Five miles west of Baldwyn, just past the crossroads, and some nine miles down the road to old Pleasant Hill Church. Confederate losses: 96 killed, 396 wounded; Union losses: 223 killed, 394 wounded, 1,623 missing. Skirmishes in fighting, by a 15,000 man army, reached the northeastern corner of what was then Pontotoc County.

VISIT

Davy Crockett’s Horse Corral

VISIT

Battle of Mud Creek, June 20, 1863 Confederate forces under Gen. Daniel Ruggles routed Union forces under the command of Lt Col. Jesse J Phillips in a running fight at Mud Creek. Union losses were: 50 killed, 90 wounded; Confederate losses were: 2 killed and 17 wounded.

Monroe Mission School Monroe Mission School was the first religious building erected in North Mississippi. Monroe Mission was established by the Rev. Thomas C. Stuart in 1821. Stuart was commissioned by the South Carolina Presbytery as a missionary to the Chickasaw Indians.

Williams-Thompson House A landmark in Southern Pontotoc County, built about 1838 by Senator Thomas Hickman Williams, a native Tennessean who moved to Pontotoc County and served as United States Senator from Mississippi. He was instrumental in the organization of the University of Mississippi.

Buttermilk Springs The family that operated the Stage Coach Stop kept cold buttermilk in the spring and sold it to the thirsty passengers. Presently called Thaxton for Dr. M. C. Thaxton.

Local tradition places DeSoto’s Winter Camp to the north on the Old Natchez Trace Route. The early town of Redland, which thrived from 1840-1880, extended from the present cemetery south.

Cates Place Just south of Hwy. 342 was a council house or chief’s house, sometimes called Topulkah’s house. Much tribal business took place here when the Chickasaws began selling their land to the U.S. Government, they came here to collect their annuities. A huge campground was here on the Natchez Trace near Jackson’s Springs, which was named for Gen. Andrew Jackson who camped there with his troops during the War of 1812. Battle of Ogoula Tchetoka, locally known as the Battle of Tubbee’s Ridge. In the spring of 1736, D’ Artaguette, governor of the Illinois Territory, was sent with a huge company of French soldiers and their Indian allies from the north to destroy the Chickasaw Nation. However, they were defeated by the Chickasaws and D’ Artaguette, along with Father Senac and several Frenchmen, were burned to death by the victorious Chickasaws.

Old Natchez Trace Route America’s most historic path stretches from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. These markers show the actual route of the original Natchez Trace as it ran through Pontotoc County.

VISIT

DeSoto’s Camp and Redland

VISIT

Ingomar Mounds This temple mound is the largest prehistoric structure in this part of the state. Excavation by the Smithsonian Institute in 1885 revealed that one of the mounds had been built after European contact as it contained a fragment of green glass bottle and another artifact with a Spanish coat of arms. It was here some historians believe that DeSoto made his second camp in the spring of 1541, before proceeding toward the Mississippi River.

Betty Love Allen Historical marker on old Toccopola School ground marks the grave of Betty Allen, wife of Maj. John Allen and the daughter of Thomas Love, a Chickasaw. Litigation over a slave given to her by her father and claimed by her husband’s creditors in 1829, resulted in the establishment of the rights of women to own property not liable for the debts of husbands. Mississippi Legislature enacted this Chickasaw tribal code into law to become the first government in the world to give women the right to own property outright. Another historical marker is at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and C.R. 843.

STAY

Please

Stay And Rest

ven if you are on the go we want you to feel like you’ve always lived here by putting out our best foot forward in hospitality and rest. We want you to feel at home even if you are miles away from your house. Pontotoc offers different styles of resting amenities for your comfort and relaxation. Whether you prefer a quick hotel room on the highway or want to stay at one of the bed and breakfast places or perhaps you prefer a cabin tucked away at Trace State Park. Wherever you prefer, you can awaken refreshed and ready to go.

SHOP

Our Hospitality Will Charm Your

Shopping Experience

f you are looking for something special that is completely away from the big box store, Pontotoc is the place to find it. There are stores that will charm you with their old fashioned hospitality from what you want to choose to buy to the kind friendly people who are there to offer the southern welcome mat that Pontotoc is known for. And if you come on Saturdays during the summer you will find farm fresh produce grown right in our back yards. Whether you are in Ecru or Algoma you will find our towns inviting an open for business. Even if you happen to be on the lake or just off the trail, there are grocery stores convenient for you to pick up peanut butter and crackers. And if you are just out shopping, take a stroll down our Main Streets, we have a smile waiting on you.

EAT

Our Tables Are

Always Ready!

obody rings the dinner bell like folks in Pontotoc. If you are wanting a quick bite or to sit down and enjoy an hour with family and friends you can have your pick. And the cuisine is out there to satisfy your palate as well. Whether you want that farm fresh catfish, good fried chicken or fresh off the grill steak or just some good ole’ fashioned vegetables like mama cooked you will find it here. You can also find a wide variety of tastes beyond this such as BBQ, Mexican, Cajun, Chinese, Japanese and different kinds of sandwich shops. So come and try them all. If you don’t have time for that, try one and come back and try some more, the oven is always hot.

EAT

HELP

Help Is Just A

Step Away

o you find yourself out of cash? Do you need help from a pharmacist? We understand if your stay here sometimes brings trouble. You will find ATMs for quick cash at the banks. Emergency care is just a step away at the many acute care places or the hospital is on Main Street. If your bicycle is in trouble there are bike repair stations along on the trail. So ride the trail in the safety and security of knowing that help is just around the corner. After visiting if you decide that you want to stay, there are many real estate agencies who are here to help you find the perfect place to call home.

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