McHenry, Mississippi

McHenry, Mississippi, is an unincorporated community in southern Stone County. It is situated approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Wiggins and 3 miles (5 kilometers) north of Saucier. The community is part of the Gulfport-Biloxi metropolitan area.

History

The town of McHenry was settled by Dr. George McHenry in 1883.^[1] The town was situated in the longleaf yellow pine region where lumber mills and family farms were the principal forms of livelihood. In 1910, the town had several stores, churches, a school, a bank, and a newspaper office. The State Bank was established in 1902 with a capital of $15,000.^[2]

State Bank of McHenry, Mississippi, circa 1910.

During that time period, the town had a brickyard, and a large planing mill for lumber. With construction of the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad through the town in the 1890s, the population increased from 350 to about 1,200 in 1906. By the 1920s, the vast timber resources of south Mississippi had been depleted, and booming lumber towns, such as McHenry, faded rapidly.

George McHenry's home is on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Stone County, Mississippi.

Education

• The McHenry community is served by the Stone County School District.

Transportation

• Highway: U.S. Route 49.
• Railroad: Kansas City Southern Railroad.

Media

• TV masts for WLOX and WXXV are about two miles east of the community.

References

1. ^ Stone County
2. ^ Dunbar Rowland (Editor). 1907. Encyclopedia of Mississippi history: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions and persons, Volume 2. S. A. Brant, Madison, Wisconsin.

Coordinates: 30°46′56″N 89°08′17″W / 30.78222°N 89.13806°W / 30.78222; -89.13806