Perkinston, Mississippi
Unincorporated community in Mississippi, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Perkinston is an unincorporated community in central Stone County, Mississippi, United States.[3] It is situated along U.S. Highway 49, approximately five miles south of Wiggins. The community is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Perkinston, Mississippi | |
|---|---|
The main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston. | |
  Perkinston, Mississippi Location within Mississippi  Perkinston, Mississippi Location within the United States | |
| Coordinates: 30°46′56″N 89°8′17″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Stone |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 39573[1] |
| Area code | Area code 601 |
| GNIS feature ID | 675617[2] |
History
Established in 1880, Perkinston is the oldest settlement in Stone County.[4] The village is named for John C. Perkins (1840–1928), who homesteaded the area after serving in the Confederate Army.[5]
Abundant forests established timber and turpentine production as early industries.[6]
The Perkinston community benefited from the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad, which was constructed through the village in the late 1890s. Beginning in 1911, Perkinston served mainly as a campus for the Harrison County Agricultural High School, which developed into Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.[7] Through time, the village had few commercial establishments, but did have a post office, general store, churches, and a gasoline service station.[8]
The WLOX TV Tower in Perkinston, a 1,319 ft (402 m) guyed mast tower, is listed as one of the tallest structures in the United States by height.
In 2005, a 250-acre (100 ha) ATV park opened west of Perkinston.[9]
Education
- The Perkinston community is served by the Stone County School District.
- The main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston.
Transportation
- Highway: U.S. Route 49.
- Railroad: Kansas City Southern Railroad.
Notable people
- Mary S. Graham, academic administrator
- Howard Pollock, former member of the United States House of Representatives[10]