Norfolk, Mississippi

Norfolk is an unincorporated community located in Desoto County, Mississippi, United States. Norfolk Landing (also called Helm's Landing), located a short distance west of Norfolk, was the community's port on the Mississippi River.[1]

Norfolk, Mississippi
Unincorporated community
1862 map showing Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk
Coordinates: 34°57′05″N 90°13′50″W
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountyDesoto
Elevation
210 ft (64 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
GNIS feature ID692114[1]

History

Norfolk began as a steamboat landing on a plantation belonging to a man named Helms.[2] In 1854, Norfolk was a small village.[3]

Norfolk Landing was the first port south of the Mississippi-Tennessee border. In 1862, the newly formed Confederate States of America established a customs office there, and all passing vessels were required to stop and provide a list of cargo. Regarding this action, historian Marion Bragg wrote:

Men who had previously been neutral and disinterested in the issues which had aroused others in the North were suddenly enraged. Free navigation of the Mississippi was a natural birthright of every American, the westerners believed, and they would gladly fight to death for it. The idea of a "foreign power" dictating the terms upon which they could navigate "their river" was unthinkable.[2]:85

Norfolk had a post office from 1854 to 1913.[4]

Hernando DeSoto Park

Norfolk Landing has been converted into a 41-acre (17 ha) public park called "Hernando DeSoto Park", which features a hiking/walking trail, river overlook, picnic area, parking and boat launch. The park is the only place in DeSoto County with public access to the Mississippi River.[5]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Norfolk, Mississippi
  2. Bragg, Marion (1977). "Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River" (PDF). Mississippi River Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-24.
  3. Conclin, George (1854). Conclins' New River Guide, Or, A Gazetteer of All the Towns on the Western Waters: Containing Sketches of the Cities, Towns, and Countries Bordering on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and Their Principal Tributaries: Together with Their Population, Products, Commerce, &c., &c., &c.: and Many Interesting Events of History Connected with Them. J.A. & U.P. James. p. 94.
  4. "De Soto County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 2014. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. "Hernando DeSoto Park". DeSoto County Greenways and Parks. Retrieved April 2014. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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