Sumner, Mississippi

Sumner, Mississippi is a town located in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, near the Tallahatchie River. The town is situated in the Mississippi Delta region, which is known for its rich African American heritage and history, including the Emmett Till murder trial, held at the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in 1955. The trial was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, with notable figures such as Medgar Evers and Rosa Parks contributing to the movement. The region is also home to the Delta Blues genre, with famous musicians like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker hailing from nearby Indianola, Mississippi and Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Geography

Sumner, Mississippi is situated in the northwestern part of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, near the Tallahatchie River. The town is approximately 35 miles northwest of Greenwood, Mississippi, and 100 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The region's geography is characterized by the Mississippi Delta's flat, alluvial plains, which are prone to flooding and require extensive levee systems, such as the Mississippi Levee System. The town is also near the Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge, which provides a habitat for various waterfowl and migratory birds, including the American White Pelican and the Wood Stork. The refuge is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

History

The history of Sumner, Mississippi dates back to the 19th century, when the town was founded as a railroad stop along the Illinois Central Railroad. The town was named after Charles Sumner, a United States Senator from Massachusetts who was a prominent abolitionist during the American Civil War. The town played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, with the Emmett Till murder trial held at the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in 1955. The trial was attended by notable figures such as Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks, and was a pivotal moment in the movement, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The town is also near the Money, Mississippi site, where Emmett Till was murdered, and the Bryant's Grocery and Meat Market, where Till encountered Carolyn Bryant.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Sumner, Mississippi was approximately 316 people, with a racial makeup of African American (95.3%) and White American (4.7%). The town has a total area of 0.6 square miles, with a population density of 526.7 people per square mile. The median household income is around $20,000, with a per capita income of $12,000. The town is part of the Tallahatchie County School District, which operates several schools in the area, including West Tallahatchie High School and Rosedale Elementary School. The district is overseen by the Mississippi Department of Education and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Economy

The economy of Sumner, Mississippi is primarily based on agriculture, with major crops including cotton, soybeans, and corn. The town is also home to several small businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and gas stations. The town is near the Mississippi Delta region, which is known for its rich natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. The region is also home to several major manufacturing facilities, including the Viking Range plant in Greenwood, Mississippi and the Caterpillar Inc. plant in Columbus, Mississippi. The town is served by the Tallahatchie County Economic Development Foundation, which works to promote economic growth and development in the area.

Education

The town of Sumner, Mississippi is served by the Tallahatchie County School District, which operates several schools in the area, including West Tallahatchie High School and Rosedale Elementary School. The district is overseen by the Mississippi Department of Education and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The town is also near several higher education institutions, including Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi and Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. The town is also home to the Tallahatchie County Library, which provides access to a wide range of books, periodicals, and digital resources.

Infrastructure

The town of Sumner, Mississippi has a limited infrastructure, with several roads and highways connecting the town to nearby Greenwood, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee. The town is served by the Tallahatchie County Airport, which provides general aviation services. The town is also near the Mississippi River, which provides access to barge traffic and shipping facilities. The town is served by several utility companies, including Entergy Mississippi and Atmos Energy, which provide electricity and natural gas services to the area. The town is also home to the Tallahatchie County Sheriff's Department, which provides law enforcement services to the area.