Leland, Mississippi

The area in which Leland sits was once part of the Choctaw territory in the early 1800s. After the Second Choctaw Cession, which came from the Treaty of Doak's Stand of 1820, the land was fought over by the United States government and the Choctaw Indians during the American Civil War in which the Choctaw Indians sided with the Confederacy in order to fight the Union for the return of their land.{{Cite book|author1-link=David Sansing|last=Sansing|first=David G.|title=A Place Called Mississippi|publisher=Clairmont Press, Inc.|year=2013|isbn=978-1-56733-244-5|location=Atlanta, Georgia|language=English}}

The territory that the town was built on was first settled on in 1834 by Samuel and Susan Jones, Mary Neely, and Malinda Breeland. A few years later, they deeded the land to the families of Connerly and Buckner. They made their home on the bank of Deer Creek on the Three Oaks Plantation. Soon other settlers came to live in Leland and the Stoneville area. To travel between both places at the time, people used boats to navigate on Deer Creek. There was even a drawbridge that was built by Leland settlers to be more closely connected with the people of Stoneville.{{Cite web|title=25 Jun 1939, Page 13 - The Delta Democrat-Times at Newspapers.com|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=88061329&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjIzNTg5MTk4LCJpYXQiOjE2MzU2NDkzMTMsImV4cCI6MTYzNTczNTcxM30.337Z6tGQNl-7YBPOX57OtUzitF_nnRywAbCRvWGCNB4|access-date=2021-10-31|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}

File:Captain James Alexander Ventress Feltus.jpg

Years later, the Buckner and Connerly families moved away and sold their land to Judge James Rucks and William Yerger. The new owners maintained the land until the American Civil War. In 1869, their heirs quit claimed the land for release mortgages which passed to the hands of the Bank of Kentucky. After seven years, Mississippi native Captain James Alexander Ventress Feltus (1840–1908) bought the 900 acres of land for $12,000.

Captain James A. V. Feltus built his home at the “Three Oaks” and deeded a 100-foot right-of-way on the land to the Memphis and Vicksburg Railroad Company; however, no railway was built until 1885, when the right of way was given to the Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railroad Company. Leland was one of two cities considered for a terminus of several railroad lines, most notably, the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas Railway. Captain John C. Calhoun, an enterprising and liberal owner of the Leland Plantation, pushed efforts to make Leland a primary candidate for the terminus.{{Cite news|date=1882-09-16|title=The town of Leland was being considered for a vote to be the new terminus for the railroad company.|pages=2|work=The Weekly Democrat-Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87982982/the-town-of-leland-was-being-considered/|access-date=2021-10-31}}

Captain Feltus dedicated the original town of Leland by signing deeds that created streets from First to Eighth Streets, which included Main and Broad Streets as the east and west boundaries of the town. Accounts state that Captain Feltus named the town after Miss Leland McCutcheon, the mother of Feltus’ friend, Ruben Armstrong and fiancé of young traveling railroad auditor C. E. Armstrong.{{Cite news|date=1953-06-28|title=James Alexander Ventress Feltus was the founder of the Town of Leland Mississippi|pages=20|work=The Delta Democrat-Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88059576/james-alexander-ventress-feltus-was-the/|access-date=2021-10-31}} It would seem that both accounts state that both men asked Captain Feltus to name the town in her honor. The first store built in the town of Leland was the Greenley's Mens Store, owned by J. C. Greenley.

File:Picture of the Old Leland Train depot from the 1900s.png

In January 1886, the citizens of the town drafted a charter to incorporate the town of Leland and sent it by mail to the representatives at Jackson, Mississippi.{{Cite news|date=1886-01-30|title=Report from the Leland Record about chartering the city of Leland, Mississippi.|pages=1|work=The Weekly Democrat-Times|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87803872/report-from-the-leland-record-about/|access-date=2021-10-31}} By February of that year, the charter was amended in bills H.B. 642 and H.B. 643 and was well on its way to making the town officially recognized as a city; it was approved on February 20, 1886.{{Cite news|date=1886-03-02|title=Jackson, Miss newspaper reporting law declaring the town of Leland, Miss. incorporated.|pages=1|work=The State Ledger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87777546/jackson-miss-newspaper-reporting-law/|access-date=2021-10-31}}{{Cite news|date=1888-02-23|title=The vote to incorporate the town of Leland in Washington County passed.|pages=1|work=The Clarion-Ledger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87777094/the-vote-to-incorporate-the-town-of/|access-date=2021-10-31}}

As the town continued to progress, it established its first newspaper publication, The Leland Record,{{Cite news|date=1886-01-20|title=Mention of the first published paper of the Leland Record (January 1886)|pages=4|work=The Vicksburg Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87809048/mention-of-the-first-published-paper-of/|access-date=2021-10-31}} and businesses were established, including retail, banks, law firms, other railway companies, grocers, innkeepers, landlords and more.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|km2}} (1.44%) is water.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| collapsed = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Leland, Mississippi (Stoneville Experiment Station) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present)

| Jan record high F = 82

| Feb record high F = 83

| Mar record high F = 90

| Apr record high F = 94

| May record high F = 100

| Jun record high F = 105

| Jul record high F = 109

| Aug record high F = 106

| Sep record high F = 104

| Oct record high F = 96

| Nov record high F = 89

| Dec record high F = 83

| Jan high F = 52.6

| Feb high F = 57.3

| Mar high F = 65.9

| Apr high F = 75.4

| May high F = 83.7

| Jun high F = 89.8

| Jul high F = 92.1

| Aug high F = 92.5

| Sep high F = 88.2

| Oct high F = 77.7

| Nov high F = 65.1

| Dec high F = 55.4

| year high F = 74.6

| Jan mean F = 43.4

| Feb mean F = 47.4

| Mar mean F = 55.4

| Apr mean F = 64.6

| May mean F = 73.5

| Jun mean F = 80.1

| Jul mean F = 82.4

| Aug mean F = 81.7

| Sep mean F = 76.4

| Oct mean F = 65.5

| Nov mean F = 54.2

| Dec mean F = 46.2

| year mean F = 64.2

| Jan low F = 34.3

| Feb low F = 37.6

| Mar low F = 44.9

| Apr low F = 53.8

| May low F = 63.4

| Jun low F = 70.4

| Jul low F = 72.7

| Aug low F = 70.9

| Sep low F = 64.6

| Oct low F = 53.3

| Nov low F = 43.3

| Dec low F = 37.1

| year low F = 53.9

| Jan record low F = -5

| Feb record low F = -5

| Mar record low F = 13

| Apr record low F = 29

| May record low F = 40

| Jun record low F = 47

| Jul record low F = 54

| Aug record low F = 51

| Sep record low F = 36

| Oct record low F = 25

| Nov record low F = 15

| Dec record low F = 1

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 5.55

| Feb precipitation inch = 5.59

| Mar precipitation inch = 5.41

| Apr precipitation inch = 6.05

| May precipitation inch = 4.84

| Jun precipitation inch = 4.07

| Jul precipitation inch = 4.01

| Aug precipitation inch = 3.12

| Sep precipitation inch = 3.51

| Oct precipitation inch = 4.18

| Nov precipitation inch = 4.49

| Dec precipitation inch = 5.25

| year precipitation inch = 56.07

| Jan snow inch = 0.2

| Feb snow inch = 0.2

| Mar snow inch = 0.0

| Apr snow inch = 0.0

| May snow inch = 0.0

| Jun snow inch = 0.0

| Jul snow inch = 0.0

| Aug snow inch = 0.0

| Sep snow inch = 0.0

| Oct snow inch = 0.0

| Nov snow inch = 0.0

| Dec snow inch = 0.0

| year snow inch = 0.4

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 11.5

| Feb precipitation days = 10.2

| Mar precipitation days = 11.0

| Apr precipitation days = 9.8

| May precipitation days = 10.1

| Jun precipitation days = 7.9

| Jul precipitation days = 9.3

| Aug precipitation days = 7.6

| Sep precipitation days = 7.2

| Oct precipitation days = 7.2

| Nov precipitation days = 8.6

| Dec precipitation days = 11.3

| year precipitation days = 111.7

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 0.2

| Feb snow days = 0.1

| Mar snow days = 0.0

| Apr snow days = 0.0

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.0

| Nov snow days = 0.0

| Dec snow days = 0.0

| year snow days = 0.3

| source = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=jan

|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = October 31, 2023}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00228445&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = October 31, 2023}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 485

|1900= 762

|1910= 1547

|1920= 2003

|1930= 2426

|1940= 3700

|1950= 4736

|1960= 6295

|1970= 6000

|1980= 6667

|1990= 6366

|2000= 5502

|2010= 4481

|2020= 3988

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507121432/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=May 7, 2015|url-status=dead}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,988 people, 1,642 households, and 1,032 families residing in the city.

As of the 2013 American Community Survey, there were 4,427 people living in the city. 74.3% were African American, 24.8% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from some other race and 0.2% from two or more races. 0.4% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,502 people, 1,943 households, and 1,414 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,670.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,095 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,016.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 32.01% White, 67.01% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 1,943 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 27.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.35.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.9% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,678, and the median income for a family was $28,926. Males had a median income of $26,184 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,681. About 24.0% of families and 27.5% of the population were below the poverty line.

File:The Thompson House in Winter.jpg

File:Rex theatre.jpg]]

File:U.S. Post Office.JPG

• Mississippi Blues Trail Markers
• Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Museum
• Jim Henson Exhibit
• The Thompson House{{Cite web|title=About Our House|url=https://www.thompsonhousebb.com/about_us|access-date=2021-11-08|website=thompsonhousebb|language=en}}

The City of Leland is served by the Leland School District. Leland High School is the sole high school. Leland School Park is the sole middle school.{{Cite web|title=Leland School Park -|url=http://lelandschoolpark.ms.lsdsp.schoolinsites.com/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Leland School Park|language=en}} Edna M. Scott Elementary is the sole elementary school.{{Cite web|title=Edna M. Scott Elementary School|url=http://lelandschooldistrict.schoolinsites.com/Default.asp?PN=%27News2%27&SubP=%27DNewsStory%27&gn=0&DivisionID=0&DepartmentID=0&SubDepartmentID=0&NewsID=103454&ShowNav=&StoryGroup=Current|access-date=2020-09-17|website=lelandschooldistrict.schoolinsites.com|language=en}}

The Leland Progress is the paper of record.{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://thelelandprogress.com/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=The Leland Progress|language=en-US}} Previous papers were the Leland Record (est.1886) and the Leland Enterprise (est.1901).

The Witte Clinic and hospital served the Leland area from 1946 to 1949. It was then leased out to the city and named The Leland City Hospital in 1949 for a year. While no longer a hospital system since the 1980s, this facility is now named the Leland Medical Clinic.{{Cite web|title=About LMC {{!}}|url=https://lelandmedicalclinic.org/who-we-are/about-lmc/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=lelandmedicalclinic.org}}{{Cite web|title=Leland Clinic Opening {{!}}|url=https://lelandmedicalclinic.org/leland-clinic-opening/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=lelandmedicalclinic.org}}

• Douglas A. Blackmon, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Slavery by Another Name, grew up in Leland.
• Johnie Cooks football player at Mississippi State University and the NFL
• Ruth Thompson Dickins, socialite and convicted murderer
• Jim Henson, puppeteer and creator of The Muppets
• Thelma Houston, singer/actress, was born in Leland.{{Cite web|title=18 Mar 1970, 18 - Daily News-Post at Newspapers.com|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/606771224/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Newspapers.com|language=en}}
• Antonio Johnson, professional football player.{{cite web|title = Antonio Johnson|publisher=Mississippi State University Athletics|url=http://www.hailstate.com//ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90891&SPID=10997&DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=944879&Q_SEASON=2006|access-date=November 3, 2015}}
• Matt Miller A former Major League pitcher
• Wadada Leo Smith, a jazz trumpeter and composer, is from Leland.
• Bob Taylor, baseball player.
• James "Son" Thomas, blues musician, gravedigger, and sculptor.
• Johnny Winter, blues musician, spent part of his childhood in Leland.

A scene from the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), was filmed in Leland on the Columbus and Greenville Railway line. In the scene, the three escaping convicts try to jump aboard a freight train only to fail and catch a handcar driven by a blind old man who makes wild predictions about their future.{{Cite web|title=HawkinsRails - CAGY Western Towns|url=https://hawkinsrails.net/shortlines/cagy/cagy_western.htm|access-date=2021-10-31|website=hawkinsrails.net}}

{{Reflist}}

• Leland, Mississippi: The Village That Raised Me (2021) by Velma P. Allen
• Southern Cultures (2013) by James G. Thomas Jr.
• A Place Called Mississippi (2013) by David G. Sansing
• Washington County, Mississippi (2002) by Russell S. Hall, Princella W. Nowell, Stacy Childress.
• Discovering Mississippi: A Mississippi Studies Textbook (1993) by John Ray Skates, David G. Sansing, and Mary Ann Wells
• Leland, Mississippi: From Hellhole to Beauty Spot (1986) by Dorothy Love Turk.
• 75 Years in Leland (1974) by Noel Workman.

{{Portal|Mississippi}}

• [http://www.lelandchamber.com/ Chamber of Commerce]
• [https://www.pbs.org/video/the-harvest-integrating-mississippis-schools-liym7l/ PBS American Experience "The Harvest: Integrating Mississippi's Schools": Integration of Leland's schools in 1970]

{{Washington County, Mississippi}}

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Category:Cities in Mississippi

Category:Cities in Washington County, Mississippi