Holmesville, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Holmesville was named December 11, 1816 in honor of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes by commissioner
s who were appointed to select a spot for the seat of justice in the geographical center of the newly formed Pike County
. This was the center of trade
and business
for the County for many years. In 1857 the Illinois Central Railroad
was built 9 miles west bypassing Holmesville and the more populated area of the County. This shifted the population from the river town of Holmesville to the new railroad towns of Magnolia
, Summit
, and Osyka
. In 1873 Magnolia was voted in as the new county seat
and in 1876 a new courthouse
was erected. In 1881 the newly built courthouse was destroyed by fire and most records of Holmesville and Pike County were lost. Within 20 years most business' moved out of Holmesville and the people followed. An effort was made to maintain the buildings in Holmesville but one by one they were torn down or left to decay. Few old structures remain.
Closely clustered around Holmesville, who figured in its conception and its birth were, David McGraw, Gabriel Allen, C. Brent, R. Hardley, John Smith, Peter Quin, John Kaigler, Anthony Perryman, Benjamin Bagley, William Love, Henry Ragland, Hans Hamilton, Josiah Martin, David Morgan, James Y. McNabb, David Cleveland, Jeremiah Williams, Phillip and Joseph Catchings, J. Peck, Jonathan Catchings, John Felder, David Winborne, John Magee, Solomon Causey, David Dixon, Dr. Wiley P. Harris and Joseph Thornhill. In January, 1816, J.Y. McNabb was elected clerk of the Inferior and Superior Courts, and David Cleveland was elected sheriff, and they entered into bond on the 29th day of January, 1816. In August, 1817, Laban Bacot was sheriff, under the new State regime. In the fall election of 1818, Henry Quin was elected clerk and Laban Bacot sheriff. Holmesville became a great resort, and through the summer months was often crowded with people seeking rest and relief from the unhealthful atmosphere of New Orleans and the dangers of cholera and yellow fever which often prevailed there. Its healthfulness, picturesque scenery, pure water, facilities for outdoor sports and quiet pleasures, made it a desirable place for a summer vacation.
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
s who were appointed to select a spot for the seat of justice in the geographical center of the newly formed Pike County
Pike County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,940 people, 14,792 households, and 10,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 95 people per square mile . There were 16,720 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
. This was the center of trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
and business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
for the County for many years. In 1857 the Illinois Central Railroad
Illinois Central Railroad
The Illinois Central Railroad , sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, is a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois with New Orleans, Louisiana and Birmingham, Alabama. A line also connected Chicago with Sioux City, Iowa...
was built 9 miles west bypassing Holmesville and the more populated area of the County. This shifted the population from the river town of Holmesville to the new railroad towns of Magnolia
Magnolia, Mississippi
Magnolia is a city in Pike County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2071 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pike County, which lies within the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Summit
Summit, Mississippi
Summit is a town in Pike County, Mississippi, USA. The population was 1,428 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, and Osyka
Osyka, Mississippi
Osyka is a town in Pike County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 481 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Osyka is located at ....
. In 1873 Magnolia was voted in as the new county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and in 1876 a new courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
was erected. In 1881 the newly built courthouse was destroyed by fire and most records of Holmesville and Pike County were lost. Within 20 years most business' moved out of Holmesville and the people followed. An effort was made to maintain the buildings in Holmesville but one by one they were torn down or left to decay. Few old structures remain.
Closely clustered around Holmesville, who figured in its conception and its birth were, David McGraw, Gabriel Allen, C. Brent, R. Hardley, John Smith, Peter Quin, John Kaigler, Anthony Perryman, Benjamin Bagley, William Love, Henry Ragland, Hans Hamilton, Josiah Martin, David Morgan, James Y. McNabb, David Cleveland, Jeremiah Williams, Phillip and Joseph Catchings, J. Peck, Jonathan Catchings, John Felder, David Winborne, John Magee, Solomon Causey, David Dixon, Dr. Wiley P. Harris and Joseph Thornhill. In January, 1816, J.Y. McNabb was elected clerk of the Inferior and Superior Courts, and David Cleveland was elected sheriff, and they entered into bond on the 29th day of January, 1816. In August, 1817, Laban Bacot was sheriff, under the new State regime. In the fall election of 1818, Henry Quin was elected clerk and Laban Bacot sheriff. Holmesville became a great resort, and through the summer months was often crowded with people seeking rest and relief from the unhealthful atmosphere of New Orleans and the dangers of cholera and yellow fever which often prevailed there. Its healthfulness, picturesque scenery, pure water, facilities for outdoor sports and quiet pleasures, made it a desirable place for a summer vacation.