Bolivar County, Mississippi is located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the United States. The county is bordered on the north by Sunflower County, on the east by Coahoma County, on the south by Humphreys County, and on the west by Washington County. The county seat is Cleveland.
The land across Bolivar County is flat and mostly alluvial plain, with some areas rising up to gentle rolling hills. The soils are generally sandy or clay loams with a few patches of sandier soils near the rivers. The area is drained by several rivers including Big Sunflower River in the northern part of Bolivar County and Little Sunflower River in its southern region.
The climate of Bolivar county is characterized by hot summers with temperatures reaching up to 100°F (38°C) during July and August and mild winters with temperatures rarely dipping below freezing point during January and February. The average annual precipitation for Bolivar county is around 55 inches (140 cm), mostly falling between April and October as thunderstorms or showers.
The main economic activities in Bolivar county are agriculture, timber harvesting, fishing, hunting, manufacturing and services such as healthcare and education. Agriculture has been an important part of Bolivar’s economy since it was first settled in 1837; today cotton remains one of its major crops while other crops such as soybeans, rice, corn and wheat are also grown here. Timber harvesting has also been a major industry over recent decades with much of its forests being harvested for use in paper production or construction materials. Fishing and hunting are popular activities for local residents who take advantage of its many lakes and rivers stocked with catfish, bass and crappie while locals also hunt deer or wild turkeys during winter months when game is more plentiful here than elsewhere across Mississippi Delta region. Manufacturing has become increasingly important over recent years with companies producing paper products or metal goods while services like healthcare or education have also added to Bolivar’s economic diversity over recent decades.
Country seat and other main cities of Bolivar County, Mississippi
The county seat of Bolivar County is Cleveland, which is situated in the northwest region of the county. This city, which has a population of around 14,000 people, is home to many businesses and amenities including restaurants, hotels, banks and other service-oriented shops. It also boasts a number of historic buildings in its downtown area. Cleveland is home to Delta State University, which was founded in 1924 and offers a range of courses including business administration and computer science.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, another major city in Bolivar County is Mound Bayou, located in the southeast corner of the county. This small city has a population of just over 2,000 people and is home to many amenities such as restaurants, grocery stores and churches. It also has several historic sites including the Mound Bayou Museum which showcases artifacts from the area’s African-American history.
Shaw is another major town located in Bolivar County with a population of around 1,800 people. This town boasts a number of amenities including restaurants, banks and other services as well as several historic sites such as Shaw City Hall which dates back to 1892. Shaw is also home to Delta State Community College which provides education opportunities for local students looking to further their studies or career prospects.
Rosedale is another small town located within Bolivar County with a population estimated at around 1,600 people. Like many other towns within this county it offers various amenities such as restaurants and grocery stores while also boasting several historic sites such as Rosedale Town Hall which dates back to 1882.
Finally, there’s Alligator which has a population estimated at just over 400 people but still offers plenty of amenities such as restaurants and grocery stores as well as several historic sites like Alligator Baptist Church built in 1889. Alligator also serves as an important transportation hub for the area with its train station providing access to surrounding towns within Bolivar County as well as larger cities across Mississippi Delta region like Memphis or Jackson.
History of Bolivar County, Mississippi
Bolivar County, Mississippi is located in the northwest corner of the state, and it was established in 1836. It is named after Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan military leader who liberated several countries from Spanish rule in South America. The county has a rich history that dates back to before the United States even existed. In 1796, an expedition led by William Dunbar explored a portion of what is now Bolivar County. This expedition led to the discovery of the Big Black River and its tributaries which were important for trading and transportation for early settlers in this area.
In 1819, the Choctaw Indians ceded what is now Bolivar County to the United States Government in exchange for land west of the Mississippi River. By 1820, settlers began arriving and establishing farms and plantations throughout the county. As cotton production increased over time, so did slavery; by 1860 nearly half of Bolivar’s population was enslaved African-Americans working on these large plantations.
During the Civil War, Union forces occupied Bolivar County beginning in 1862 as part of their campaign to gain control of Mississippi’s rivers and railroads. Soon after this occupation began, Confederate forces attempted to retake control of Bolivar but were unsuccessful due to strong Union resistance at Fort Pemberton near present-day Rosedale.
In 1867, African-American men gained voting rights under Reconstruction laws passed by Congress; however they were not able to exercise these rights until 1870 when they first voted in an election held at Mound Bayou City Hall. Following Reconstruction, many African-Americans in Bolivar were forced into sharecropping or tenant farming rather than owning their own land as landownership fell into white hands during this period.
In 1895 Mound Bayou became incorporated as an independent city within Bolivar County; it was one of only two all-black towns founded during this period that survived into modern times (the other being Eatonville, FL). During this time Mound Bayou saw great economic growth due to its location along a major rail line which allowed for easy transportation and trade with other cities across Mississippi and beyond.
Today, Bolivar County is home to several towns and cities including Cleveland (the county seat), Mound Bayou, Shaw and Rosedale among others; each boasting its own unique culture influenced by its history as well as its current inhabitants from all walks of life who are proud to call Boliver home.
Economy of Bolivar County, Mississippi
Bolivar County, Mississippi is an area rich in history and culture. Located in the northwest corner of the state, the county has a population of around 34,000 people and encompasses 843 square miles. Throughout its history, the economy of Bolivar County has been heavily reliant on agriculture and cotton production.
In 1819, the Choctaw Indians ceded what is now Bolivar County to the United States Government in exchange for land west of the Mississippi River. By 1820, settlers began arriving and establishing farms and plantations throughout the county. As cotton production increased over time, so did slavery; by 1860 nearly half of Bolivar’s population was enslaved African-Americans working on these large plantations.
Following Reconstruction, many African-Americans in Bolivar were forced into sharecropping or tenant farming rather than owning their own land as landownership fell into white hands during this period. Despite this injustice, many African Americans were able to become successful farmers with some even becoming landowners again by leasing land from white owners or buying smaller plots as part of a “cash crop” system that allowed them to make money from cotton sales while still living on their farms.
Today, agriculture remains an important part of Bolivar’s economy with crops such as cotton and soybeans being grown across the county in addition to other food crops like corn and wheat. The area also has a thriving timber industry with lumber being harvested from local forests for use in construction projects across Mississippi and beyond. In addition to these traditional industries, Bolivar County is also home to several manufacturing plants including a furniture manufacturer located in Cleveland which employs over 500 people locally as well as other smaller firms producing items such as textiles, chemicals and plastic products.
Overall, it can be said that while Bolivar County still relies heavily on its roots in agriculture for economic stability it has also seen growth through other industries such as manufacturing which provide employment opportunities for local residents while diversifying its economic base at the same time.