Simpson County Roads -The Westville Cemetery by Andy Baeuerle

Andy Baeuerle is a senior at Magee High School. Born and raised in Simpson County, he cares deeply for his home county and state, and the history of both. He also loves nearly all types of music, and is passionate about sports.

Westville, Mississippi

As you’re traveling west on Highway 28 (just before you reach Pinola) there is a sign on the right that says “Old Westville Road.” If you turn and travel down this road, you will not see much other than houses and trees. There is, however, one site to behold on this road that unveils a bustling history among the peaceful countryside.

When Simpson County became a county on January 23, 1824, there was an abundance of pine forests, fertile land, and clean creeks; but there were no towns. On February 6, 1825, Westville (named for Colonel Cato West, governor of the Mississippi Territory from 1803-1805), was founded. On the same date, Westville was designated as the Simpson County seat. The first “courthouse” was actually a 20’x 24’ log cabin owned by Mr. William Gibson. A few years later, a framed courthouse was built and the cabin was turned into a blacksmith shop. However, when this new courthouse was built, tragedy struck… twice. First, almost 20 years after the new courthouse was built, it was burned to the ground in a fire that was believed to be deliberately set. Then, a new courthouse was quickly rebuilt by 1846, but the new courthouse burned, too, in 1872. In 1874, a new brick courthouse was built, but it is unknown what history has done with this building.

On January 27, 1827, the Westville Academy was founded. Classes were mostly held in the churches, until a schoolhouse was built in 1850. Westville Academy was regarded for years as one of the greatest schools in the area around Simpson and Copiah Counties. One notable principal of the school was Henry L. Whitfield, who would serve as the Governor of Mississippi from 1921 until his death in 1924.

The Big Move

The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was built in 1900, stretching from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Jackson, MS. The building of this railroad brought many economic benefits on its 308-mile long track, but it changed Simpson County history forever. Instead of the railroad passing through the county seat of Westville, the railroad bypassed through Magee and Edna (known today as Mendenhall) on the east side, and Pinola on the west. Now, with a major railroad depot in the county, many citizens saw fit to move the county seat to the town of Edna, where the train station was located. In a 1901 election, citizens voted Edna as the new county seat, and so the seat was moved.

After this initial move, many Westville businessmen took their businesses to the new railroad town of Edna. One of the most prominent of these was Mr. Hugh Geiger. Geiger founded, owned, and operated The Westville News, and re-named it The Simpson County News. Today, this service is still around, as part of The Magee Courier. However, other Westville citizens would not give up their position this easily, taking their case to the Mississippi Supreme Court. In 1905, after being in Edna for 4 years, the MS Supreme Court ruled the seat be returned to Westville by November 12 of that year. Westville was still in a rapid decline, so the county knew it would not be good for the seat to remain located there. In 1906, a special election was held to put the seat in one of 3 new economic centers of Simpson County. The election bore these results:

1.   Mendenhall (newly renamed from Edna): 937 votes

2.   Pinola: 360 votes

3.   Magee: 85 votes

With these results, the county seat was moved back to Mendenhall, leaving Westville as an empty town. Today, all that exists of Westville is the Westville Historic Cemetery and the story of the town. Fortunately, the death of Westville brought new life to a young town, 1.5 miles to the west.

Pinola, Mississippi

When the new Gulf and Ship Island Railroad was built, a small railroad was built to connect other small lumber towns. The main line connected Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Mendenhall, and Jackson. This small line split off the main line in Maxie, MS, and connected Lumberton, Columbia, and the young town of Pinola in Simpson County. Westville dying out gave new life to a small town, and Pinola was born. Named for the abundance of pine forests in the area and school teacher Miss Nola Bush, this town saw a rapid increase in economy and population due to the railroad depot in the town. What little remained in Westville was torn down and rebuilt in Pinola. The Westville Academy building was moved to Pinola, where it was still a great institution. Members of the Westville Baptist and Methodist churches both voted to tear down their buildings so they could be moved to Pinola. Pinola Baptist Church sits in the same location where it was moved in 1906. The Methodist church was dissolved, but the building still stands across from the Baptist church.

They say all great things come to an end. This was was the case with Pinola. In 1912, a fire swept through the town and destroyed 7 businesses. Pinola never fully recovered from this despite having had many successful businesses there throughout the years. Today, Pinola is not very large. Pinola primarily consists of a church, a Dollar General, and a children’s camp, “Strong River Camp and Farm.” Another notable business today is S&W Grocery and Deli, a gas station and deli with great food and friendly staff.

Pinola is now a tranquil village where Westville Creek and Strong River merge, capturing the beauty of the natural pine forests and history of Simpson County, Mississippi.

Special thanks to Joe White of White’s Picket Fence Bookstore in Mendenhall for assisting with the research of Westville and Pinola.