About
Itawamba County, MississippiItawamba County, Mississippi, was established on February 9, 1836, during a period of rapid settlement and development in the state.
Levi “Itawamba Mingo” Colbert 1759 – 1834
Named after the Chickasaw leader Levi Colbert, known as Itawamba Mingo, the county’s formation followed the Treaty of Pontotoc Creek, in which the Chickasaw Nation ceded their lands in northern Mississippi to the United States.
Levi Colbert or Itawamba Mingo was the best known and the most influential of the brothers. While he used broken English and was devoid of education himself, he seems to have believed in schools and gave all of his numerous sons an education. His title Itawamba, means “Bench Chief” and was given him as a reward for distinguished services rendered the tribe against their enemies the Creeks. Levi was a merchant.
The early settlers were primarily of European descent, migrating from the eastern United States in search of fertile land for agriculture.
The county seat, Fulton, was established along the banks of the Tombigbee River, serving as a vital transportation and trade route for the region’s growing economy.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Itawamba County’s economy was largely driven by agriculture, with cotton becoming the predominant crop.
The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century further spurred economic development, enabling more efficient transport of goods and opening new markets for local produce.
The county also played a role in the Civil War, with many residents serving in the Confederate Army.
Over time, Itawamba County evolved from its agrarian roots, diversifying its economy and modernizing its infrastructure while maintaining a rich cultural heritage reflective of its Native American and early settler history.
Education
- Itawamba County School District – https://www.itawambacsd.com/
- Itawamba Community College – https://www.iccms.edu/Home/portalid/0
Notable People
- Tammy Wynette (singer) – https://tammywynette.com/
- Julie Grimes Waldorf (philanthropist) – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-grimes-waldorf-6ba5b96
- Donald G. Jackson (filmmaker) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_G._Jackson
- Brian Dozier (professional baseball player) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Dozier
- Ally Ewing (professional golfer) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_Ewing
- Jimmie Lunceford (jazz alto saxophist) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_Lunceford
- Vernon Presley (Elvis Presley’s father) – http://tremont.itawambams.com/vernon-presley-marker/
- Chad Ramey (professional golfer) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Ramey
- Delphia Spencer Hankins, American supercentenarian
Notable Places
- Tammy Wynette Legacy Center – https://www.facebook.com/TammyWynetteLegacyCenter/
- PlayGarden Park (water fountain and playground) – https://www.djournal.com/news/local/fultons-whimsical-playgarden-park-is-the-center-of-a-revitalized-downtown/article_b01e7ca7-715f-535c-856c-62d087c22102.html
- Underground Railroad Bicycle Route – https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2018/february/15/five-rail-trails-along-the-underground-railroad/
- Jamie L. Whitten Historical Center – https://mississippihills.org/directory/jamie-l-whitten-historical-center/
- Historical Markers in Itawamba County – https://www.mississippimarkers.com/itawamba-county.html
- Molly Harmon Springs – https://findaspring.ue1.rapydapps.cloud/spring/locations/molly-harmon-springs/
- Ironwood Bluff Bridge – https://www.facebook.com/itawambahistory/posts/from-the-societys-archive-ironwood-bluff-bridge-construction-notice-1919-an-adve/2551296371610847/
- Ryan’s Well Schoolhouse – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan%27s_Well,_Mississippi
Tourism
- Itawamba County Development Council – http://itawambams.com/
