Page Contents for Water Valley, Mississippi

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

Historical Events

Community news

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Statistics & Facts

The Mississippi state capital is Jackson.
The population of Water Valley is approximately 3,610 (1990), 3392 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,592 (1990), 1376 (2010).
The amount of land area in Water Valley is 18.323 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Water Valley to Washington DC is 805 miles.
The distance to the Mississippi state capital is 131 miles. (as the crow flies)
Water Valley is positioned 34.16 degrees north of the equator and 89.63 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

Water Valley has many historical sites. Once, in the days of the railroad and when the town was new, Water Valley was booming. Most of the old structures that used to house businesses then still stand today, many with faded sales messages still showing on their vast brick walls. Most of these merchant's quarters are but ghosts of the past. One famous restuarant that has stood the test of time is The Early Bird Cafe. The food there is the best in the area, and the menu has stayed relatively the same through the years. Nestled between Lowe's studio and what used to be the fine Water Valley Hotel, it is definitely one of the most charming nostalgic places I have ever been to. And the coffee is still as good as when the hotel patrons and railroad workers drank it all those years ago! I have always found this place to be a piece of history that refused to die. Sort of like in Faulkner's "A Rose For Emily" where the antebellum house is surrounded by the new gas stations, it truly stands for the contrast of Old south/ New south.
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Water Valley Historical Events

1871
My great grandmother Maisey Elmira Catherine Sartain (Garvin) was born in Water Valley Dec. 7, 1871. Her mother, Martha Aunty Beard (Sartain) was the great granddaughter of John McEver an American Revolutionary War soldier. He fought in Pa.

Maisey Elmira Catherine's father, Russell Sartain, was also a grandson of an American Revolutionary War Soldier, Richard Cox Bond, who served 3 tours, one as a Minuteman. Richard's father, Nathan Bond, also participated in the American Revolution.
Submitted by Rosalie Quirk

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1850
Benjamin Fisher Phillips
My great great grandfather, Benjamin Fisher Phillips, lived in Grenada, MS, in 1850 census, served in the 30th Mississippi Infantry in the Civil War and served in the North MS Methodist Region as a Methodist Preacher. He preached in Water Valley and surrounding areas in Yalobusha County, MS. several years. He is buried in Shannon, MS died in 1899. He had 3 sons, all doctors, Albert Maury Phillips, Dabney Melvin Phillips, and Edwin Lacey Phillips. I have copies of his obituary from 1899, photo of him with his 3 sons in 1895.
Submitted by Redigo Phillips

Water Valley Community News

2000, March 29
Phillips Surname
If there are any Phillips from Yalaboshua county or surrounding counties who can find a link to Benjamin Phillips, please contact me. See the historical events page for Water Valley, MS for more details about Benjamin.
Redigo Phillips
Email: redigo@mindspring.com