Adams County was the first county organized in Mississippi Territory, named for President John Adams and formed in 1817.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors by way of a unanimous “gentlemen’s and lady’s” agreement decided to provide a history lesson at the beginning of our first and third Mondays board meetings.

History that is provided is on Adams County, Natchez, Southwest Mississippi or even on the greater Miss-Lou.

These history lessons are provided by the board of supervisors, other elected officials and county department heads.

When I brought this idea to the board at the beginning of the new term, Supervisor David Carter was excited about it and decided that he would present the first history lesson at that meeting. His history lesson was on the old Adams County Jail, which today is known as the Adams County Administrative Building located at 314 State St. It is also the building where we have our board meetings.

The building was constructed in 1891 by Champion Iron Company of Kenton, Ohio, which also served as the architects for the project. The jail is one of a few Victorian style jails that still exists across the county, and it still has the execution chamber in place, along with all of the original jail cells and showering facility. The county jail is always available for free, self-guided tours.

Further, other presentations were: Supervisor Angela Hutchins — The Rhythm Night Club Fire; Supervisor Calvin Butler — River for Trading; Supervisor Mike Lazarus — The Great Natchez Tornado of 1840; Chancery Clerk Tommy O’Beirne — Memorial Hall; Attorney Scott Slover — The Woodlawn Historic District; Deputy Clerk Stephanie McCaa — The Grave of Florence Irene Ford; County Administrator Joe Murray — The Natchez Indians; County Engineer Jim Marlow — Jefferson College; Clint Pomeroy — History of the Natchez-Adams County Airport; Civil Defense Director Stan Owens — History of Adams County Civil Defense; Road Manager Robbie Dollar — Elizabeth College; and I gave a history lesson on the Great Natchez Band Leader Bud Scott.

Every meeting we have students from various schools in Adams County that lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, so it’s an excellent opportunity that they can receive a history lesson about their community. In addition you are invited to share in the history of our community by attending the beginning of our board meetings where the history lessons are given.

The greater Miss-Lou is a treasure chest of history, so let’s learn as much as we can about our area.

“One of the greatest benefits of knowing your history is that it can facilitate your future.”

 

Darryl V. Grennell is the president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors.