Bogue Chitto derives its name "Big Creek" from the river that flows southward
east of the railroad. The Choctow Indians, who made the area their home before
the coming of the white man, gave the stream its name.
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Judge Thomas J. Gill came here when he was about 9 years old, and his son,
Will Gill, related that the settlement was called "Lick Skillet." Mr. Lucious
M. Cole of Alaxandria, La., age 90 years, said his father-in-law told him the area
was once called "Big Pow."
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Bogue Chitto is a rural village, located some 67 miles south of Jackson,
Mississippi, on Highway 51. It was settled before the coming of the New Orleans,
Jackson and Northern Railroad. The first train came through Bogue Chitto, from
New Orleans to Brookhaven, in 1856. Mr. Joseph Hart, Stephen Sasser and T.J.
Gill were big landowners along the railroad who wanted the depot on their property.
The site was settled when Joseph Hart offered his lumber from his water
powered sawmill.
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According to Mr. J.E. (Dude) Morgan, his mother came to Bogue Chitto when
she was 4 years old. There were only 7 houses here and she attended our first
school in 1872. It was a small building behind the present home of J.J. Meyers.
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The J.J. Meyers' house is the brick house next to the phone company that Janet Moak lives in.
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The first Bogue Chitto Post Office was established January 31, 1870. Miss
Celia Smith was the first postmaster, serving in a small building facing the
ICRR tracks, near the overhead bridge. Miss Bonnie Cole, present postmaster
relates that the office is now serving 348 rural miles, 1272 boxes, 1477 families,
and 9100 people. Late census records show about 550 people live in the former
"town territory."
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The first known Baptist Church in our post office area was Mt. Moriah,
organized in 1821, by John Bryan Hart and others. Mr. Morgan states that his
mother walked from Bogue Chitto to Mt. Moriah to church, about 6 miles. The
present white Baptist Church was organized in 1885; the Presbyterian Church in
1889 and Methodist Church in 1890. Land for the cemetery was donated by
John Z. and Emily Sutton, in a deed dated February 7, 1880. The oldest tombstone
is dated 1870. The cemetery association was charted by an act of the
City Board on September 3, 1907. All 3 churches used the cemetery as did some
residents of Norfield, Mississippi.
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During the Civil War, "The Bogue Chitto Rifles Company" with Bob Charter,
the school teacher, as Captain was formed. Joe Hart and Melt Brister served
as first and second lieutentants.
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After the war, sawmills began to develop in the area. According to Mr.
Gilbert Hoffman, Maryland Heights, Missouri, the first mill was located at Cold
Strings, one mile north of Bogue Chitto, in 1879. (This young man is writing a
book on sawmills and railroads in this area, which will be published in 1977.
You will find many interesting facts in this book.)
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The oldest organization in Bogue Chitto is the Masonic Lodge #260 chartered
January 15, 1866.
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Now located in the old post office next to the new post office. |
The order of the Western Star #263 was organized in 1915 but reorganized in 1925.
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The Bogue Chitto Garden Club was organized by Mrs. A.W. (Sue) Noland in 1922.
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The Chloe Holt Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized
in September 1969 by Ronnie B. Cole with 27 charter members.
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The best days for the town were from 1890 to 1920. There were many business
places including Polian's Merchantile Company; the Planter's Bank; a bakery;
three drugstores; two hotels, 2 barbershops; 2 livery stables; several doctors;
an automobile agency; a meat market; a millinery shop; and 2 schools.
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Bogue Chitto was chartered as a Village July 3, 1892 and was raised to the
status of a town December 12, 1904. J. H. Curtis was lited as the first Mayor
of the "Village" with P. E. Brister, F. H. McLaurin and W. I. Lewis as alderman.
The first town officials were J. B. Bailey, L. C. Crosby, V. V. Busby, T. S. Heuck,
and R. L. Brent. The town was declared unincorporated during the administration
of Gov. Paul B. Johnson, Sr. Mr. Leslie Bolian was the last town Mayor and Mr.
Sidney P. Spencer last town clerk.
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Mississippi Power and Light Company brought electric power to Bogue Chitto
in 1928. Later R.E.A. lines brought electricity to the entire countryside.
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Southern Bell Telephone has maintained a dial office in Bogue Chitto since
1953 which now serves 1200 telephones. The first telephone line was on 8 party
line to Bogue Chitto and Norfied.
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A Branch of Brookhaven Bank & Trust Company established in 1966, present
manager Robert E. Bullock. Also rural water system, and natural gas line
provide conveniences for our villagers.
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The name of the bank is now Trustmark National Bank. |
Residents of the area are a proud people; proud of their heritage; proud
of the present and excited about the future as they plan for another 100 years
growth.
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Compliments of the Bogue Chitto Bicentanneal Community, Bogue Chitto, Mississippi
August 17, 1976.
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