Grenada () is a city in Grenada County,

Mississippi Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

, United States. Founded in 1836, the population was 13,092 at the 2010 census. It is the

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...

of Grenada County.

History

Grenada was formed in 1836, after federal removal of the

Choctaw people The Choctaw ( ) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States, originally based in what is now Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choct ...

who had previously occupied this territory. It was the result of the union of the two adjacent towns (separated by the present-day Line Street) of Pittsburg and Tulahoma (or Tullahoma), founded, respectively, by

Franklin Plummer Franklin E. Plummer (died September 24, 1847) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi. Born in Massachusetts, Plummer moved to Mississippi and taught school in Copiah County. After completing his law studies he was admitted to the bar and com ...

and

Hiram Runnels Hiram George Runnels (December 15, 1796 – December 17, 1857) was a U.S. politician from the states of Mississippi and Texas. He was a Democrat who served as the ninth governor of Mississippi from November 20, 1833, to December 3, 1835. Biog ...

. Development included stores and businesses that supported the county court and market days. Plantations were first developed along the

Yalobusha River The Yalobusha River is a river, long, in north-central Mississippi in the United States. It is a principal tributary of the Yazoo River, via which it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River. The name "Yalobusha" comes from the Choctaw ...

for transportation and access to water. Cotton was the major commodity crop, dependent on the labor of African slaves. In 1851, Grenada townspeople founded the

Yalobusha Baptist Female Institute Grenada College was a college for women, founded by Baptists, in Grenada, Mississippi in 1850. It opened as Yalobusha Female Institute in 1851 and was also known as the Emma Mercer Institute and the Grenada Female College. Yalobusha Female Ins ...

for education of their young White women. In 1882, the school was taken over by the Methodists and renamed as

Grenada College Grenada College was a college for women, founded by Baptists, in Grenada, Mississippi in 1850. It opened as Yalobusha Female Institute in 1851 and was also known as the Emma Mercer Institute and the Grenada Female College. Yalobusha Female Ins ...

. Classified in the 20th century as a junior college, it encountered financial troubles during the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

. The church closed the college in 1936 and transferred its assets to

Millsaps College Millsaps College is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Jackson, Mississippi. It was founded in 1890 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. History The college was founded ...

. In the late 1850s, Grenada was one of the places

Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821October 29, 1877) was an List of slave traders of the United States, American slave trader, active in the lower Mississippi River valley, who served as a General officers in the Confederate States Army, Con ...

sold slaves. p. 131 His brother John N. Forrest had a house on a hill in West Grenada. On December 20, 1862,

Confederate A confederation (also known as a confederacy or league) is a political union of sovereign states united for purposes of common action. Usually created by a treaty, confederations of states tend to be established for dealing with critical issu ...

general

Earl Van Dorn Earl Van Dorn (September 17, 1820May 7, 1863) was an American Major General who started his military career as a United States Army officer and became famous for successfully leading two defenses of a Native American settlement from the Comanch ...

, whose troops were encamped in Grenada, led the three brigades under his command in a raid that destroyed the Union supply depot at

Holly Springs, Mississippi Holly Springs is a city in and the county seat of Marshall County, Mississippi, Marshall County, Mississippi, United States, near the border with Tennessee to the north. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 6,96 ...

. In 1885 two men, Perry McChristian and Felix Williams, were accused of murdering two peddlers and were lynched. During the lynching, they implicated two black men, Bartley James and John Campbell, who were then also lynched by a mob of White men.

Daily Alta California The ''Alta California'' or ''Daily Alta California'' (often miswritten ''Alta Californian'' or ''Daily Alta Californian'') was a 19th-century San Francisco newspaper. ''California Star'' The ''Daily Alta California'' descended from the first ...

9 July 1885

Civil rights era

In 1966,

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister, civil and political rights, civil rights activist and political philosopher who was a leader of the civil rights move ...

and

Dick Gregory Richard Claxton Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, activist and social critic. His books were bestsellers. Gregory became popular among the African-American communities in the southern U ...

spent a week demonstrating in Grenada against discrimination and for voters' rights. During that time, town officials cooperated and protected marchers with local police. Six black voter registrars were hired and registered 1,000 black residents during that week. After the march passed through, the county fired the registrars and the town never entered the new black voters on official rolls; they had to start over again to gain official voter registration., reprinted in As the civil rights movement continued to press in 1966 and 1967 for voter registration and opportunities in employment, the

Southern Christian Leadership Conference The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is an African Americans, African-American civil rights organization based in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. SCLC is closely associated with its first president, Martin Luther King Jr., ...

(SCLC) ran a civil rights organizing project in Grenada which lasted at least 11 months. They worked to register voters and gain concessions for hiring black Americans in local businesses and restaurants. These were still segregated, despite the federal anti-segregation and voting rights laws. In August 1966, a federal judge ordered Grenada to allow black students to enroll in the previously all-White schools. White leaders used threats of eviction and firing to coerce black parents to withdraw their children from school. While the intimidation caused 200 out of 450 students to withdraw, the remaining 250 students attempted to enter school on September 12, 1966. A group of White people met them at the school and chased them away, pursuing them through the streets and beating the children with chains, pipes and clubs. The group went so far as to beat reporters as well. The group repeated this for the first week of school, while local law enforcement did not intervene. Federal protection for the children began on September 17, and 13 members of the group were arrested.

Industrial Growth

In recent years, Grenada has seen significant industrial growth.

Milwaukee Tool Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, known more commonly as Milwaukee Tool, is an American multi-national company that develops, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, tool storage, and personal protective equipment ...

announced a major expansion in 2022, creating 800 new jobs and establishing a new facility in the area. This expansion is part of a broader effort to bolster the local economy and provide new employment opportunities. Additionally, the Grenada Business and Technology Park North was awarded a $4.3 million MDA site development grant, further promoting industrial and technological growth in the area.

Geography

The

flows through Grenada. Grenada Lake is located a short distance east of the city. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and 0.03% is water.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,700 people, 5,100 households, and 2,988 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2000, there were 14,879 people, 5,701 households, and 3,870 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 6,210 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 49.28%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 49.34%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.16% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.02%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.12% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population. There were 5,701 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 22.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males. The median income for a household in the city was $25,589, and the median income for a family was $31,316. Males had a median income of $27,946 versus $21,913 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $13,734. About 20.3% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 27.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Historical Background

Prior to 1966, a segregated system of schools was provided, with Black children attending one set of schools and White children another. In 1966, the school system instituted a "freedom of choice" plan, which allowed Black students to attend previously all-White schools. White people congregated outside the schools to prevent Black students from entering and attacked young children when they left school in the afternoon. In response, parents established the Grenada Educational Foundation, now known as

Kirk Academy Kirk Academy is a K-12 Christian school in Grenada, Mississippi. It is part of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS). In 1966, when the public schools in Grenada County were integrated, some of the most violent acts of the civi ...

, as an alternative to racially-integrated education.

Modern education

Grenada, as well as Grenada County, is currently served by the

Grenada School District The Grenada School District is a public school district based in Grenada, Mississippi ( US). The district's boundaries parallel that of Grenada County. Schools * Grenada High School (Grades 9-12) *Grenada Middle School (Grades 6-8) *Grenada El ...

. The city also hosts the Grenada Campus of

Holmes Community College Holmes Community College is a public community college with its main campus in Goodman, Mississippi. It also has campuses in Grenada and Ridgeland, and satellite campuses in Attala, Webster, and Yazoo counties. Holmes Community College was ...

, located near the University of Mississippi Medical Center Grenada. Since its establishment in 1985, the campus has provided academic courses, technical programs, and workforce training. Since 2008, Holmes Community College has partnered with the

University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi (Epithet, byname Ole Miss) is a Public university, public research university in University, near Oxford, Mississippi, United States, with a University of Mississippi Medical Center, medical center in Jackson, Miss ...

(Ole Miss) to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the Grenada campus. This collaboration is part of the 2+2 program, where students complete the first two years of their college education at Holmes and then transition to Ole Miss to complete their bachelor's degrees.

Notable people

Phillip Alford Phillip Alford (born September 11, 1948) is an American former actor best known for his roles as Jem Finch in the 1962 film ''To Kill a Mockingbird'', and Boy Anderson in ''Shenandoah'' (1965). Since retiring from acting, he has become a busin ...

, actor * Chris Avery, football player * Genard Avery, football player * Pete Boone, athletic director *

E.L. Boteler Edgar Lee Boteler, Jr. (February 6, 1920 – March 17, 2016) was an American farmer and politician. Born in Grenada, Mississippi, Boteler was a farmer at Riverdale Farms. Boteler served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1956 ...

, politician and businessman *

Big George Brock George Brock (May 16, 1932 – April 10, 2020), billed as Big George Brock, was an American blues musician. A native of Mississippi, he moved to Missouri in the 1950s and operated a series of nightclubs. He played alongside Muddy Waters, Howlin' ...

, blues singer and harmonica player *

Ace Cannon John Henry "Ace" Cannon (May 5, 1934 – December 6, 2018) was an American tenor and alto saxophonist. He played and toured with Hi Records stablemate Bill Black's Combo, and started a solo career with his record "Tuff" in 1961, using the Blac ...

, musician * Kristian Dambrino, singer, songwriter, and Miss Mississippi 2005 * Walter Davis, blues musician * Emmanuel Forbes, football player *

Jake Gibbs Jerry Dean "Jake" Gibbs (born November 7, 1938) is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the New York Yankees as a platoon catcher from 1962 to 1971. Although Gibbs was the regular starting catcher for New York in 1967 a ...

, baseball player, All American football player *

George Robert Hightower George Robert Hightower (October 15, 1865 - February 19, 1958) was an American state legislator in Mississippi. He was born at Smith's Mills, in Grenada County, Mississippi, a son of George Hightower, Jr., and Fannie (Kirby) Hightower. He began ...

, educator *

Mississippi John Hurt John Smith Hurt (March 8, 1893 – November 2, 1966), known as Mississippi John Hurt, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Biography Early years John Hurt was born in Teoc,Cohen, Lawrence (1996). Liner notes to ''Av ...

, country blues singer and guitarist * M. D. Jennings, football player *

Trent Lott Chester Trent Lott Sr. (born October 9, 1941) is an American lobbyist, lawyer, author, and politician who represented Mississippi in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1989 and in the United States Senate from 1989 to 2007. ...

, U.S. senator *

John Marascalco John S. Marascalco (March 27, 1931 – July 5, 2020) was an American songwriter most noted for the songs he wrote for Little Richard. He was born in Grenada, Mississippi and died in Los Angeles, California. Career Marascalco co-wrote several o ...

, songwriter * Jim Miles, baseball player *

Dave Parker David Gene Parker (born June 9, 1951), nicknamed "the Cobra", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. A seven-time All-Star, Parker won two National League ba ...

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

baseball player *

Ike Pearson Isaac Overton Pearson (March 1, 1917 – March 17, 1985) was an American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in 164 games in the Major Leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies (1939–1942; 1946) and Chicago White Sox (1948). The native of ...

, baseball player *

Tyre Phillips Tyre Jerel Phillips (born January 29, 1997) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and was selected by the Baltimo ...

, football player *

Freeman Ransom Freeman Briley Ransom (1880–1947) was an American lawyer, businessman and civic activist in Indianapolis, Indiana. From 1911 until his death he served as legal counsel and general manager for the Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company as we ...

, lawyer, businessman, and civic activist *

Greg Robinson Greg Robinson may refer to: * Greg Robinson (offensive tackle) (born 1992), American football offensive tackle *Greg Robinson (American football coach) (1951–2022), American football coach *Greg Robinson (running back) Greg Robinson (born Augu ...

, football player *

Magic Sam Samuel Gene Maghett (February 14, 1937 – December 1, 1969), known as Magic Sam, was an American Chicago blues musician. He was born in Grenada County, Mississippi, and learned to play the blues from listening to records by Muddy Waters and ...

, blues musician * Joseph D. Sayers, 22nd Governor of Texas *

Magic Slim Morris Holt (August 7, 1937 – February 21, 2013), known as Magic Slim, was an American blues singer and guitarist. Born at Torrance, near Grenada, Mississippi, the son of sharecroppers, he followed blues greats such as Muddy Waters and How ...

, blues musician * Homer Spragins, baseball player * Trumaine Sykes, football player *

Donna Tartt Donna Louise Tartt (born December 23, 1963) is an American novelist. She wrote the novels '' The Secret History'' (1992), '' The Little Friend'' (2002), and ''The Goldfinch'' (2013), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was adapted into ...

, author *

Edward C. Walthall Edward Cary Walthall (April 4, 1831April 21, 1898) was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and a Reconstruction era United States Senator from Mississippi. Early life Edward C. Walthall was born in Richmond, ...

, United States senator * Howard Waugh, Canadian football player and humanitarian * Luke J. Weathers (1920–2011), former

Tuskegee Airmen The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of primarily African American military pilots (fighter and bomber) and airmen who fought in World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Fighter Group, 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) of th ...

Eddie Willis Eddie "Chank" Willis (June 3, 1936 – August 20, 2018) was an American soul musician. Willis played electric guitar and occasional electric sitar for Motown's in-house studio band, The Funk Brothers, during the 1960s and early 1970s. Career Bo ...

, member of

Funk Brothers The Funk Brothers were a group of Detroit-based session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972. Its members are considered among the most successful groups of stud ...

* William Winter, governor of Mississippi (1980-1984) * Charlie Worsham, country singer, musician, and songwriter * Frank Wright, jazz musician

References

External links

Elizabeth Jones Library
* * {{authority control 1836 establishments in Mississippi Cities in Mississippi Cities in Grenada County, Mississippi County seats in Mississippi Micropolitan areas of Mississippi Populated places established in 1836