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
1862 map showing Norfolk
Norfolk is located in Mississippi
Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is located in the United States
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 February 24, 2013.
  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 4, 2014.
  5. "Hernando DeSoto Park". DeSoto County Greenways and Parks. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
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