Why Purchase Real Estate in Stone County MS
Stone County, MS History
Stone County, Mississippi is part of South East Mississippi. Stone County is immediately north of Harrison County and is only a 20-30 minute drive from the stunning Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Stone County Seat is Wiggins.
In 1820 the first settlers of Western origin began to settle into the area that became the Stone County that we know now, Mississippi was a very different place.
American Indians which were part of the Houma Indian tribe settled here first.
http://www.kellycreely.com/Web/AR657729/CustomContent/index/5668446The Houma Indian tribe was decimated by war with the much bigger Choctaw Indian Nation around 1800 and the surviving Houma Indians eventually became an integral part of the Choctaw Indian Nation.
When Mississippi became a State in 1817, a substantial population of Choctaw Indians lived in what is now Stone County.
A Lt. Col. John Bond, an extremely experienced early North American explorer, was one of the initial settlers in this region. Col. Bond had written a message in 1823 to his family that discussed this area. Col. Bond indicated that the Indians were quite friendly and were always eager to trade their own products to Col. Bond in trade for products that Col Bond acquired usage of. Col. Bond encouraged his Family to go to the area that they managed to do in 1825 where in fact the family prospered. Col. Bond received mail 3 times per month from the U.S. Postal Service in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
The Native American Indians had also planted orchards of native Pecan trees in the open areas close to their villages which were situated along the Red Creek in what's now Stone County.
Before the development of the timber industry in Southern Mississippi in the 1870’s, a lot of this part of Mississippi was covered by a vast Virgin Pine Forest. Multiple historical accounts discussed the ability to run a horse for miles through these woodlands because there was so little under brush.
For countless generations, the Native American Indians had set controlled fires within this primeval forest which caused the Native Wood Grass to become tender and attract the large number of Buffalo that grazed in this region. These controlled fires that removed the underbrush within the huge Virgin Pine Forest also retarded the spread of un-controllable fires that were set by lightning strikes. The importance of this practice has only become well known because of the tremendous fires in the Western United States which have waged uncontrollable because the practice of reducing the underbrush in large tracts of woodlands was discontinued when the Native American Indians that once lived in these forests were re-located to Reservations significantly removed from their indigenous lands.
In 1833, the U.S. Army came to the area now called Stone County. Visit this page Native American Indians that refused to be United States residents were relocated to Oklahoma where they suffered much suffering in what become the infamous Trail of Tears’. Only 15-20 Native American Indian families made the decision to be United States citizens and remained in this area. Interestingly, the State of Oklahoma was designated after a beautiful Indian maiden who was born into the Houma Indian tribe before this tribe become part of the much bigger Choctaw nation. Her name was ‘Okla’.
Wild life was abundant in what's known today as Stone County. 30,000 Buffalos were thought to have roamed free when Mississippi became a State in 1817. In 1817, the bear population in Mississippi was estimated to be 500,000. https://youtu.be/CEUtjY6ITe0 And, in 1817 the Wolf population in Southern Mississippi alone was estimated to be 25,000. The Wolf River in neighboring Hancock County is an indication of the once abundant Wolf population in Southern Mississippi.
Stone County, Mississippi was created in 1916 out of the north part of Harrison County. Stone County was named after former Mississippi Governor, John M. Stone. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Stone County was estimated to be 17,786 in 2010.
Stone County offers property owners who are living here wonderful natural landscapes. And, although Stone County is only a twenty minute drive at most from the Mississippi Gulf Coastline beaches, the expense of owning a home here is less expensive than real estate offered in coastal communities located in Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties. And, Stone County is far enough north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast that the impact of violent weather caused by hurricanes is considerably diminished.
Actually, since post-hurricane Katrina 2005, Stone County’s high elevation, and efficient travel to both Gulfport and Biloxi have led to the construction of numerous, modern residential sub-divisions. The building standards of these homes is excellent, but the cost is more affordable than comparable properties that are located in nearby Harrison County at much lower elevations above sea level.
Stone County features the neighboring Desoto National Forest which offers over ½ million acres of spectacular outdoor scenic delights. Mississippi’s only federally specified Wild and Scenic River includes the Black Creek fresh water shed which is located near Stone County. Stone County also features the Pascagoula River Basin which is Mississippi’s second largest sized basin. This basin drains an area that is around 1,000 square miles that eventually drains in to the Gulf of Mexico. The delightful Red Creek flows through the southern part of Stone County. The last unregulated significant river system outside of Alaska is contained within the Pascagoula River Basin. Two major tributaries are situated in Stone County.
Outdoor recreation abound near Stone County, Mississippi. Over 100 square miles of unspoiled wilderness awaits nature lovers. 41 miles of federally managed hiking paths follow the stunning Black Creek. Fresh water fishing, camping, canoeing, swimming, tubing, picnicking, horseback and ATV driving are always close by in forests that have a teaming ecosystem that features a large variety of wild birds. For individuals who enjoy hunting, Stone County has an plethora of deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit.
Stone County is conveniently located and is a ninety minute drive to New Orleans. Stone County is a twenty five mile drive south to the white fine sand Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches, a huge array of terrific restaurants, and the pleasure of 24-hour non-stop casino resorts.
Regardless if you've planned to move with your loved ones or are looking for a calm coastal get-a-way, let me assist you with your real estate investment in Stone County, MS and walk you through the time consuming process of looking for that unique property.
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