Abbeville, Mississippi

Abbeville is a town in Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 372.

History

Abbeville was originally settled by pioneers from Abbeville, South Carolina in the 1830s. They lived in apparent peace with the local Chickasaw Indians, whose Chief Toby owned and operated a ferry along the Memphis-Oxford trade route.

During the American Civil War, Abbeville was almost destroyed in the Vicksburg Campaign.

Abbeville post office was established on September 28, 1843, with John B. Davis as the first postmaster.<ref>Gallagher, John S. and Patera, Alan H. (1996) Mississippi Post Offices, p. 91. Lake Grove, Oregon: The Depot, Template:ISBN</ref>

In 1950 Abbeville had a population of 275.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica Atlas, 1959 Edition, p. 298.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Abbeville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>Climate Summary for Abbeville, Mississippi</ref>

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population is 372 people and 170 housing units, which is down from 2010 with 419 people.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

The racial and ethnic makeup of the town was 85.2% non-Hispanic White, 10.4% African American, 3.4% reporting from two or more races with 1.8% of the population Hispanic or Latino.<ref name=":0" />

Education

The Town of Abbeville is served by the Lafayette County School District.<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref>

The University of Mississippi also owns and operates the University of Mississippi Field Station, which is located in Abbeville. It is a natural laboratory used to study, research and teach about sustainable freshwater ecosystems.

Transportation

Highways

• File:Circle sign 7.svg Mississippi Highway 7

Railroads

• Mississippi Central Railroad<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

• Carl Craig, state auditor and tax collector in the 1930s to 1950s<ref name=profile>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Jennifer Gillom, WNBA player<ref name="mississippiencyclopedia.org">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Peggie Gillom-Granderson, former player in the Women's Professional Basketball League<ref name="mississippiencyclopedia.org"/>
• L. C. Gordon, first African-American basketball player for the Oklahoma State Cowboys<ref name=foster>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Stan Kesler, musician, songwriter, producer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Shelby McEwen, track and field athlete who competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 2024 Olympic Silver Medalist
• Alexander Preston Shaw, bishop of the Methodist Church<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• Gerald Vaughn, former Canadian Football League defensive back<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Henry Woods, United States district judge of the for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 1980 to 2002<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>