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| History of Sturgis :: |
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 History of Sturgis
Sturgis is located in southwestern Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. It is eighteen miles west of Mississippi State University. In 1883, after the building of the Aberdeen/Durant branch of the Illinois Central Railroad, the town of Sturgis was established. A wealthy stock-holder in the ICR from Kentucky asked that the town be named in her honor, and her wish was granted. In the latter part of the 1800's, Sturgis had many business houses. Some of the owners were the Fondren brothers (General Store), Jim Quinn, Jeff and Zeke Barron, Dave and Bill Hunt, Abb Harrison, Semmie Oswalt, Dr. Bill Edwards (Dry Goods), Dr. W.J. Barron (Drug Store), Mr. Sim Moss (Boarding House and Blacksmith Shop) and C.P. Hannah (Boarding House). Leading citizens during that time were G.E. and Jim Galceran, Cul. B. Hannah, Dock Hannah, Peter Quinn, Joe Montgomery, N.Q. Adams, Henry G. Sikes, Andy Sikes, Richard Sikes, Smith Sikes, Jack Owens, Charlie Makamson, Tom Skelton, Tom Livingston, George Morgan, Pilot Hunt, John Hunt, McDuff Hunt, Dan Thomas, Newton Daniel, Felix Shropshire, John Oswalt, Red Sharp, Tom L. Jackson, and G.R. McIlvaney. On March 30, 1884, a cyclone destroyed property in Stugis and razed a number of buildings. Among the number was the Presbyterian Church , in which Professor Ramsey was teaching the village school. In 1885 the Presbyterians built a new church, all hands turning out to help with the job. Methodists built a church in 1886, but it was replaced in 1921 with a new structure. A Baptist church was organized in 1888, but services were held in the school until the church could be built. That church was destroyed by a storm in 1915 and rebuilt in 1920. In 1881 there was a one-teacher school; a three teacher school developed in 1890. The building was destroyed by fire in 1931, and the current facility was erected. The town of Sturgis was incorporated in 1902 with J.G. Bevill as its first mayor. Others who have served as mayor of Sturgis are G.E. Galceran, J.W. Landrun. F.M. Adams, R.L. Hannah, J.A. McReynolds, Sr., W.T. Robinson, S.P. Morgan, Leland James,Jacob Scott Smith and others. The current mayor is Walter Smith. In 1903 a fire swept the business section leaving but one of the twenty business houses, that of Dave E. Rainey. Our people undaunted rose and built again bigger and better houses adding telephones and other modern facilities. Whitefield Masonic Lodge was organized in 1874. In 1913 the Lodge moved to Sturgis and was renamed the Sturgis Lodge. A new hall was built in 1958. Sturgis Women's Club was organized in 1924. On June 8, 1928, Sturgis Chapter No. 279 Order of the Eastern Star was organized. http://www.sturgisms.com/history/index.html |
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