Enterprise

Enterprise, Mississippi

(Flood of 1902, Enterprise, Mississippi)

History

The northwest corner of Clarke County is the location of the city which once was a trading place for early settlers as well as Indians long before the Civil War. Dates go back as far as 1699 when D’Iberville sent Jesuit Priest to visit the trading post in Enterprise.

Early settlers had no problems setting up their residences in the area with the Choctaw Indians so dominant. They were quite friendly to their new neighbors moving in between 1790 – 1795.

It was in 1834 that John J. McRae founded the town of Enterprise and later became Governor of Mississippi. Rumors have it that he had his Inaugural Ball at his home in Enterprise.

Enterprise was the original county seat and as it grew with prominent settler from the northeast. Situated in the Chickasawhay River, it acquired many travelers from the steamboats visiting and trading their goods.

Enterprise played a big role for Clarke County during the Civil War, with it disrupting it was enjoying its growing economic boom. A base for recruiting troops and a supply depot was in Enterprise. Confederate Headquarters was located in the home of Laura Miller Allen, with General Polk recruiting office.

The town was just one of Sherman’s stops on his way to the coast. Sherman’s troops destroying the railroad as they went, and used several homes in the area as hospitals.

There no doubt that this town is rich in history.