Named after the great pioneer Daniel Boone, Booneville is known as Mississippi's first "City of Hospitality." Residents and visitors alike appreciate the warm, friendly northeast Mississippi community, where everyone feels like family. The town is home to Northeast Community College, one of the most successful community colleges in Mississippi. The town is also the site of the "Battle of Booneville," a pivotal Civil War battle that resulted in the promotion of Col. Philip H. Sheridan to brigadier general. Best Western Booneville Mississippi.
Things to do in Booneville
Battle of Booneville and Capture of Booneville Historical Markers
Two historical markers signify two important events that took place in Booneville during the Civil War. The "Capture of Booneville" occurred May 30, 1862, at the depot located on East Church Street in downtown Booneville. A Union brigade under the command Col. Washington Elliott destroyed the depot and captured 2,000 sick and wounded Confederates. The "Battle of Booneville" took place on July 1, 1862 when Union Calvary under Col. Philip H. Sheridan was attacked by a larger force under Confederate General James Chalmers. Sheridan prevailed, and as a result was promoted to brigadier general.
Bay Springs Recreational Area
Camping, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, swimming and picnicking are all popular activities at the Bay Springs Recreational Area. Located on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, Bay Springs Lake is the only deep-water lake in the area, with 6,700 acres and 133 miles of shoreline. The area features campgrounds, two white sandy beaches, boat ramps, numerous picnic areas and overlooks, and the Bay Springs Marina with 150 boat slips, fuel service, emergency service for stranded boaters and boater's sewage pump out. The Bay Springs Resource Management Office and Visitor Center is located about one mile east side of Bay Springs Lake. Call 662-454-3481 for more information.
Booneville City Park
Nestled in a wooded area of Bonneville's historic residential area, the West Side City Park offers a variety of fun for everyone. Facilities include baseball fields, softball fields, a football field, soccer field, batting cages, basketball courts, tennis courts, swimming, community center, playground, walking track, picnic tables and grills, RV facilities and more. The park is located off North Third Street. Call 662-728-4126 for more information.
Booneville Depot
The original Booneville train depot was built before the Civil War, and destroyed on May 30, 1862 during the battle of Booneville. The current depot was built in 1913. It had two passenger trains that stopped daily - The Doodle Bug, which ran from Jackson, Tennessee, to Meridian, Mississippi, and The Rebel, that ran from Cairo, Illinois, to Mobile, Alabama. Located in historic downtown Booneville, the depot now houses the Booneville Area Chamber of Commerce. Call 662-728-4130 for more information.
Caboose
This restored GM&O caboose from the 1930's was purchased in 1998 for $4,000. Repainted its original color of red, the caboose tells the story of the unique train car that used to be used on the end of trains to detect trouble and house the train's conductor. Call 662-728-4130 for more information.
Cunningham House
On the eve of the battle, Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest and his men spent the night at the Cunningham House planning the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, which took place on June 10, 1864. Located downtown behind the Chamber of Commerce office in the Historic Depot. Call 662-728-4130 for more information.
Kidstown
Kidstown is a unique, super-sized playground located in Booneville City Park. The 30,000 square-foot, handicapped-accessible structure was built by over 300 volunteers. The community's annual Kidstown Commemoration Day takes place the first Saturday of May, when kids of all ages are invited to enjoy the park, eat hot dogs, play games and win prizes. Call 662-728-4126 for more information.
Prentiss County Agricultural Center
A variety of horse shows, carnivals, live-stock auctions, and other events are hosted at the Prentiss County Agricultural Center. Call for a current calendar. Call 662-728-3946 for more information.
Rolling Hills Golf Course
Rolling Hills is a 9-hole par 3 golf course, driving range and putting green open to the public. Located on Highway 4 West. Call 662-720-1122 for more information.
W.M. Browning Cretaceous Fossil Park
Cretaceous Fossil Park is a natural area that was created to educate and inform about Mississippi's geology and ancient history. The park overlooks a stretch of Twenty Mile Creek below Frankstown, a community where an abundance of vertebrate fossils were uncovered in the hills south of Twenty Mile Creek during construction of the Highway 45 Bypass. Fossils can still be found in the hills around Frankstown and in the bottom of Twenty Mile Creek.