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Pemiscot County in Missouri has a rich history that many may not know about. Here are 7 interesting facts about this county that may surprise you:
1. Pemiscot County was established in 1851 and was named after the Pemiscot Bayou, which is derived from the Sioux word "pemiskaw," meaning "liquid mud." The county is located in the southeastern part of Missouri and borders the Mississippi River.
2. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Pemiscot County was a major producer of cotton. The county's fertile soil and warm climate made it an ideal location for cotton plantations. The county also had several cotton gins, which were used to separate the cotton fibers from the seeds.
3. Pemiscot County was also known for its bootlegging during prohibition. Many residents of the county made moonshine and illegally sold it to locals and outsiders. The county was considered a "wet" county, meaning that it allowed the sale of alcohol, even during prohibition.
4. One of the most famous residents of Pemiscot County was James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. Ray was born in Alton, Illinois but spent a significant amount of time in Pemiscot County. He was eventually caught and arrested in London after fleeing the United States.
5. Pemiscot County is home to the Bootheel Youth Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the southeastern Missouri region. The museum has several exhibits, including a reconstructed pioneer town, a 1920s general store, and a replica of a cotton gin.
6. In 1937, the Mississippi River flooded and caused widespread damage in Pemiscot County. The flood was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history and displaced thousands of residents. The flood prompted the creation of the Flood Control Act of 1938, which aimed to prevent future flooding along the Mississippi River.
7. Pemiscot County has a rich tradition of basketball. The county's high school teams have won several state championships, and the county is home to several successful college basketball coaches, including Jim Nail, who coached at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Central Missouri.
In conclusion, Pemiscot County in Missouri has a fascinating history, from its cotton production and bootlegging during prohibition to its basketball tradition and association with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The county's diversity of industry and culture make it a unique part of Missouri's history.
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