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| official_name = Starkville, Mississippi | official_name = Starkville, Mississippi
| settlement_type = ] | settlement_type = ]
| nickname = StarkVegas,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Low|first1=Chris|title=Welcome to Stark-Vegas|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/204/welcome-to-stark-vegas|website=ESPN College Football|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 27, 2014|date=August 15, 2008}}</ref> Boardtown<ref>{{cite web|title=What's in a name?|url=http://msucares.com/forum/individual_presentations/whats_in_a_name.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203003334/http://msucares.com/forum/individual_presentations/whats_in_a_name.pdf |archive-date=2008-12-03 |url-status=live|website=Msucares.com|access-date=December 5, 2015}}</ref> | nickname = StarkVegas,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Low|first1=Chris|title=Welcome to Stark-Vegas|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/204/welcome-to-stark-vegas|website=ESPN College Football|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 27, 2014|date=August 15, 2008}}</ref> Boardtown<ref>{{cite web|title=What's in a name?|url=http://msucares.com/forum/individual_presentations/whats_in_a_name.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203003334/http://msucares.com/forum/individual_presentations/whats_in_a_name.pdf |archive-date=2008-12-03 |url-status=live|website=Msucares.com|access-date=December 5, 2015}}</ref>
| motto = | motto =
<!-- Images --> <!-- Images -->
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| imagesize = 250px | imagesize = 250px
| image_caption = Cotton District | image_caption = Cotton District
| image_flag = | image_flag = Flag of Starkville, Mississippi.png
| image_seal = | image_seal = Seal of Starkville, Mississippi.png
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Starkville, Mississippi.svg
| blank_emblem_type = Logo
<!-- Maps --> <!-- Maps -->
| image_map = Oktibbeha_County_Mississippi_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Starkville_Highlighted.svg | image_map = Oktibbeha_County_Mississippi_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Starkville_Highlighted.svg
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| government_type = ] | government_type = ]
| leader_title = ] | leader_title = ]
| leader_name = Lynn Spruill (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/Directory.aspx?EID=66|title=Starkville, MS - Official Website|website=Cityofstarkville.org|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref> | leader_name = Lynn Spruill (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/Directory.aspx?EID=66|title=Starkville, MS - Official Website|website=Cityofstarkville.org|access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-22 |title=Starkville mayor running for 2nd term in 2021 |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-8a4b7b28a5807724ba5b7715c3604f62 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
| leader_title1 = | leader_title1 =
| leader_name1 = | leader_name1 =
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}} }}


'''Starkville''' is a ] in, and the ] of, ], ], ].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> ] is a ] and is located partially in Starkville but primarily in an adjacent ] designated by the ] as ]. The population was 25,653 in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website|last=Bureau|first=U.S. Census|website=]|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Starkville is the most populous city of the ] region of Mississippi. The Starkville ] includes all of Oktibbeha County. '''Starkville''' is a ] in, and the ] of, ], ], ]. As of the ], Starkville's population is 24,360, making it the 16th-most populated city in Mississippi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile?q=Starkville%20city,%20Mississippi%20Coquille |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Starkville is the largest city in the ], which had a population of 175,474 in 2020, and the principal city of the ]. Founded in 1831, the city was originally known as Boardtown for the local sawmilling operation there, but was renamed in 1837 to honor ] general ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starkville {{!}} College Town, Home of MSU {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Starkville |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>


The growth and development of Mississippi State in recent decades has made Starkville a marquee American ]. College students and faculty have created a ready audience for several annual art and entertainment events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Super Bulldog Weekend, and Bulldog Bash. The ], North America's oldest ] community,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tndtownpaper.com/Volume4/new_towns_cotton_district.htm|title=The Town Paper: New Towns &ndash; Cotton District, Mississippi|website=www.tndtownpaper.com|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> is an active ] and entertainment district located halfway between Downtown Starkville and the Mississippi State University campus. Starkville is adjacent to and closely associated with ], which was founded as the state's ] ] ] in 1878. The university was located near Starkville in the Mississippi ] due to the region's agricultural productivity, particularly in the timber, cattle, and dairying industries. The expansion of the university transformed Starkville from a primarily agricultural center into a ], and its economy today is mostly centered around advanced research and manufacturing, retail, and tourism supported by the university population. The ], developed in the 1960s as North America's first ] community, is an active ] located between downtown Starkville and the university campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Town Paper: New Towns &ndash; Cotton District, Mississippi |url=http://www.tndtownpaper.com/Volume4/new_towns_cotton_district.htm |access-date=June 12, 2018 |website=www.tndtownpaper.com}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
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The modern European-American settlement of the Starkville area was started after the Choctaw inhabitants of ] surrendered their claims to land in the area in the ] in 1830. Most of the Native Americans of the Southeast were forced west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and Indian Removal. The modern European-American settlement of the Starkville area was started after the Choctaw inhabitants of ] surrendered their claims to land in the area in the ] in 1830. Most of the Native Americans of the Southeast were forced west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and Indian Removal.


White settlers were drawn to the Starkville area because of two large springs, which Native Americans had used for thousands of years. A mill on the ] southwest of town produced ], giving the town its original name, Boardtown in 1834. The first court met in 1834 under a large tree. In 1835, when Boardtown was established as the county seat of ], it was renamed as Starkville in honor of ] hero ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.starkville.org/tourism/history/timeline.html| title=Starkville's History| access-date=August 24, 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524050246/http://www.starkville.org/tourism/history/timeline.html| archive-date=May 24, 2006}}</ref> A log courthouse and a one-room jailhouse were constructed in 1835. The jailhouse was unusual in that it had no doors or windows. Prisoners were made to climb a ladder to the roof and then let down through a trap door using a rope.<ref name="CL 1955">{{cite news |title=Starkville |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45235025/starkville_mississippi_in_1855/ |access-date=20 February 2020 |newspaper=Clarion-Ledger |date=August 21, 1955|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> White settlers were drawn to the Starkville area because of two large springs near the old part of the town, which Native Americans had used for thousands of years. A mill on the ] southwest of town produced ], giving the town its original name, Boardtown in 1834. The first court met in 1834 under a large tree. In 1835, when Boardtown was established as the county seat of ], it was renamed as Starkville in honor of ] hero ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.starkville.org/tourism/history/timeline.html| title=Starkville's History| access-date=August 24, 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524050246/http://www.starkville.org/tourism/history/timeline.html| archive-date=May 24, 2006}}</ref> A log courthouse and a one-room jailhouse were constructed in 1835. The jailhouse was unusual in that it had no doors or windows. Prisoners were made to climb a ladder to the roof and then let down through a trap door using a rope.<ref name="CL 1955">{{cite news |title=Starkville |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45235025/starkville_mississippi_in_1855/ |access-date=20 February 2020 |newspaper=Clarion-Ledger |date=August 21, 1955|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


The first newspaper was founded in 1847. Originally titled ''The Starkville Whig'', it was later renamed ''The Broad Ax''.<ref name="CL 1955" /> The first newspaper was founded in 1847. Originally titled ''The Starkville Whig'', it was later renamed ''The Broad Ax''.<ref name="CL 1955" />
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A ] named McLaughlin, who served as the local head of the ], assisted in the establishment of a black Methodist church and established a cooperative store for blacks in his home. This enraged the white citizens so the ] attacked the store.<ref name="RIOC">{{cite web |title=Reconstruction in Oktibbeha County |url=https://archive.org/stream/reconstructionin00brow/reconstructionin00brow_djvu.txt |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> A ] named McLaughlin, who served as the local head of the ], assisted in the establishment of a black Methodist church and established a cooperative store for blacks in his home. This enraged the white citizens so the ] attacked the store.<ref name="RIOC">{{cite web |title=Reconstruction in Oktibbeha County |url=https://archive.org/stream/reconstructionin00brow/reconstructionin00brow_djvu.txt |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref>


On May 5, 1879, two black men who had been accused of burning a barn, Nevlin Porter and Johnson Spencer, were taken from the jail by a mob of men and hung from crossties of the ].<ref name="Negroes Lynched">{{cite news|title=Negroes Lynched|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065532/1879-05-16/ed-1/seq-1/|access-date=December 26, 2017|publisher=The Pascagoula Democrat-Star|date=May 16, 1879}}</ref><ref name="BarnBurners">{{cite news|title=Barn Burners Lynched|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025287/1879-05-06/ed-1/seq-1/|access-date=December 26, 2017|publisher=Daily Globe|date=May 6, 1879}}</ref> On May 5, 1879, two black men who had been accused of burning a barn, Nevlin Porter and Johnson Spencer, were taken from the jail by a mob of men and hung from crossties of the ].<ref name="Negroes Lynched">{{cite news|title=Negroes Lynched|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065532/1879-05-16/ed-1/seq-1/|access-date=December 26, 2017|publisher=The Pascagoula Democrat-Star|date=May 16, 1879}}</ref><ref name="BarnBurners">{{Cite news |date=May 6, 1879 |title=Barn Burners Lynched |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025287/1879-05-06/ed-1/seq-1/ |access-date=December 26, 2017 |publisher=Daily Globe|via=Chronicling America}}</ref>


In 1888, a mob hanged an African-American man, Eli Bryant, for an alleged attack on a white woman.<ref name="Eli Bryant">{{cite news |title=A Chapter of Crime |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40730633/eli_bryant_hanged_by_a_lynch_mob_in/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |publisher=Nebraska State Journal |date=July 28, 1888|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1888, a mob hanged an African-American man, Eli Bryant, for an alleged attack on a white woman.<ref name="Eli Bryant">{{cite news |title=A Chapter of Crime |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40730633/eli_bryant_hanged_by_a_lynch_mob_in/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |publisher=Nebraska State Journal |date=July 28, 1888|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
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===20th century=== ===20th century===
Before the Civil War, Colonel Montgomery imported cattle from the isle of Jersey, initiating the areas prominence as a dairy center. In 1912, the co-operative creamery was created, and in 1926 the Borden Condensary was established.<ref name="CL 1955" /> Before the Civil War, Colonel Montgomery imported cattle from the isle of ], initiating the areas prominence as a dairy center. In 1912, the co-operative creamery was created, and in 1926 the Borden Condensary was established.<ref name="CL 1955" />


In April 1912, Gabe (sometimes reported as Abe) Coleman, an African-American man was accused of attacking a farmer's wife and was shot to death by a mob. Nine men were tried for the murder.<ref name="Denied Bail">{{cite news |title=The Nine Men Charged With the Murder of the Negro Gabe Coleman Denied Bail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40731718/the_nine_men_charged_with_the_murder_of/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=East Mississippi Times |date=April 12, 1912|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In February 1912, another African-American man, Mann Hamilton, was murdered by a mob for allegedly attacking a woman.<ref name="Public Hangings">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Nate |title=U.S. Senator "jokes" about public hangings and voter suppression on hallowed ground where lynchings took place |date=November 16, 2018 |url=https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2018/11/16/u-s-senator-jokes-about-public-hangings-and-voter-suppression-on-hallowed-ground-where-lynchings-took-place/ |access-date=18 December 2019}}</ref> Following an incident in which whites fired into a Republican Meeting at a church in Chapel Hill, Mississippi, killing a black man, a group of black men planned a march in Starkville. They were met at a bridge near the ] dairy barn by white men from Starkville and West Point armed with cannon loaded with buckshot and iron.<ref name="Reconstruction part VI">{{cite news |last1=Browne |first1=F.Z. |title=Reconstruction in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, Part VI. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40748582/reconstruction_in_oktibbeha_county/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=East Mississippi Times |date=March 15, 1912|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In April 1912, Gabe (sometimes reported as Abe) Coleman, an African-American man was accused of attacking a farmer's wife and was shot to death by a mob. Nine men were tried for the murder.<ref name="Denied Bail">{{cite news |title=The Nine Men Charged With the Murder of the Negro Gabe Coleman Denied Bail |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40731718/the_nine_men_charged_with_the_murder_of/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=East Mississippi Times |date=April 12, 1912|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In February 1912, another African-American man, Mann Hamilton, was murdered by a mob for allegedly attacking a woman.<ref name="Public Hangings">{{cite web |last1=Morris |first1=Nate |title=U.S. Senator "jokes" about public hangings and voter suppression on hallowed ground where lynchings took place |date=November 16, 2018 |url=https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2018/11/16/u-s-senator-jokes-about-public-hangings-and-voter-suppression-on-hallowed-ground-where-lynchings-took-place/ |access-date=18 December 2019}}</ref> Following an incident in which whites fired into a Republican Meeting at a church in Chapel Hill, Mississippi, killing a black man, a group of black men planned a march in Starkville. They were met at a bridge near the ] dairy barn by white men from Starkville and West Point armed with cannon loaded with buckshot and iron.<ref name="Reconstruction part VI">{{cite news |last1=Browne |first1=F.Z. |title=Reconstruction in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, Part VI. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40748582/reconstruction_in_oktibbeha_county/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=East Mississippi Times |date=March 15, 1912|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>


In 1915, two African-American men, Dit Seals and Peter Bolen,<ref name="Two on scaffold">{{cite news |title=Two Die on Scaffold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40746716/two_die_on_scaffold_public_double/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=The Commonwealth (Greenwood, Mississippi) |date=August 13, 1915|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> were hanged in a public execution while a crowd of 5,000, including blacks and whites, and children watched and sang ''There is a Land of Pure Delight''. The crowd ate lunch while the execution was being conducted. Vendors were on hand selling popcorn, soda water and sandwiches. The men had been convicted of killing Willie Taylor, an African-American porter on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The story was widely reported as a "gala hanging" sponsored by the merchants of Starkville by various newspapers including the ''New York World'' and ''Chicago Tribune'', while the Detroit Times described it as little better than a lynching.<ref name="Literary Digest">{{cite web |title=Capitalizing Capital Punishment in Mississippi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZxFAQAAMAAJ&q=%22new+york+world%22+starkville+hanging+1915&pg=PA338 |publisher=The Literary Digest |access-date=18 December 2019|year = 1915}}</ref><ref name="Hanging Picnic">{{cite news |title=Five Thousand See a Double Hanging, Make it a Picnic |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065612/1915-08-13/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1789&index=1&rows=20&words=Dit+Seales+Seals&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=dit+seals&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 |access-date=4 February 2020 |newspaper=The Starkville News |date=August 13, 1915 |page=1 |quote=As the people carefully watched the scaffold they munched on sandwiches hard boiled eggs, and pie}}</ref> In 1915, two African-American men, Dit Seals and Peter Bolen,<ref name="Two on scaffold">{{cite news |title=Two Die on Scaffold |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/40746716/two_die_on_scaffold_public_double/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |newspaper=The Commonwealth (Greenwood, Mississippi) |date=August 13, 1915|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> were hanged in a public execution while a crowd of 5,000, including blacks and whites, and children watched and sang ''There is a Land of Pure Delight''. The crowd ate lunch while the execution was being conducted. Vendors were on hand selling popcorn, soda pop and sandwiches. The men had been convicted of killing Willie Taylor, an African-American porter on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The story was widely reported as a "gala hanging" sponsored by the merchants of Starkville by various newspapers including the ''New York World'' and ''Chicago Tribune'', while the Detroit Times described it as little better than a lynching.<ref name="Literary Digest">{{cite web |title=Capitalizing Capital Punishment in Mississippi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZxFAQAAMAAJ&q=%22new+york+world%22+starkville+hanging+1915&pg=PA338 |publisher=The Literary Digest |access-date=18 December 2019|year = 1915}}</ref><ref name="Hanging Picnic">{{cite news |title=Five Thousand See a Double Hanging, Make it a Picnic |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065612/1915-08-13/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1789&index=1&rows=20&words=Dit+Seales+Seals&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=&date2=1963&proxtext=dit+seals&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 |access-date=4 February 2020 |newspaper=The Starkville News |date=August 13, 1915 |page=1 |quote=As the people carefully watched the scaffold they munched on sandwiches hard boiled eggs, and pie}}</ref>


In 1922, Starkville was the site of a large rally of the ].<ref name="KK">{{cite news|title=The Parade of the Ku Klux|newspaper=] |location=Starkville, Mississippi |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065609/1922-12-01/ed-1/seq-1/ In 1922, Starkville was the site of a large rally of the ].<ref name="KK">{{cite news|title=The Parade of the Ku Klux|newspaper=] |location=Starkville, Mississippi |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87065609/1922-12-01/ed-1/seq-1/
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On March 21, 2006, Starkville became the first city in Mississippi to adopt a smoking ban for indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. This ordinance went into effect on May 20, 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/government/ordinances/2006/2006-02.pdf#search=%22starkville%20no%20smoking%20ordinance%22| title=Ordinance Number 2006-02| access-date=September 5, 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922173635/http://www.cityofstarkville.org/government/ordinances/2006/2006-02.pdf#search=%22starkville%20no%20smoking%20ordinance%22| archive-date=September 22, 2006}}</ref> On March 21, 2006, Starkville became the first city in Mississippi to adopt a smoking ban for indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. This ordinance went into effect on May 20, 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/government/ordinances/2006/2006-02.pdf#search=%22starkville%20no%20smoking%20ordinance%22| title=Ordinance Number 2006-02| access-date=September 5, 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922173635/http://www.cityofstarkville.org/government/ordinances/2006/2006-02.pdf#search=%22starkville%20no%20smoking%20ordinance%22| archive-date=September 22, 2006}}</ref>


In February 2018, Starkville denied a local LGBTQ organization a permit to host a ]. The organizers initiated legal action,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Larrison|last2=February 26|first2=Mississippi Today|last3=2018|date=2018-02-27|title=Starkville Pride marches into court over parade permit|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2018/02/26/starkville-pride-marches-court-parade-permit/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}}</ref> after which the city reversed its decision.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Larrison|last2=March 6|first2=Mississippi Today|last3=2018|date=2018-03-07|title=Starkville approves Pride Parade, reversing earlier vote|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2018/03/06/starkville-approves-pride-parade-reversing-earlier-vote/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}}</ref> The parade was held in March 2018 with almost 3,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-01|title=Starkville Pride event largest parade in city history {{!}} Starkville Daily News|url=http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/starkville-pride-event-largest-parade-city-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015318/http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/starkville-pride-event-largest-parade-city-history|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-11-01|access-date=2020-07-13}}</ref> In February 2018, Starkville denied a local LGBTQ organization a permit to host a ]. The organizers initiated legal action,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Larrison|date=2018-02-27|title=Starkville Pride marches into court over parade permit|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2018/02/26/starkville-pride-marches-court-parade-permit/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}}</ref> after which the city reversed its decision.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Larrison|date=2018-03-07|title=Starkville approves Pride Parade, reversing earlier vote|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2018/03/06/starkville-approves-pride-parade-reversing-earlier-vote/|access-date=2020-07-13|website=Mississippi Today|language=en-US}}</ref> The parade was held in March 2018 with almost 3,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-01|title=Starkville Pride event largest parade in city history {{!}} Starkville Daily News|url=http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/starkville-pride-event-largest-parade-city-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015318/http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/starkville-pride-event-largest-parade-city-history|url-status=dead|archive-date=2018-11-01|access-date=2020-07-13}}</ref>


==Geography== ==Geography==
According to the ], the city has a total area of 25.8&nbsp;]s (66.9&nbsp;]), of which 25.7&nbsp;square miles (66.5&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is land and 0.2&nbsp;square miles (0.4&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) (0.58%) is water. According to the ], the city has a total area of 25.8&nbsp;]s (66.9&nbsp;]), of which 25.7&nbsp;square miles (66.5&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is land and 0.2&nbsp;square miles (0.4&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) (0.58%) is water.


] and Mississippi Highways ] and ] are major roads through Starkville. US 82 runs east to west across the northern portion of the city as a bypass, leading east {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ] and northwest {{convert|28|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ]. Route 25 leads south {{convert|31|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ] and Route 12 leads southwest {{convert|26|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ]. The nearest airport with scheduled service is ] (GTR). ] (KSTF) serves as Starkville's ] airport. There are multiple privately owned airstrips in the area. ] and Mississippi Highways ] and ] are major roads through Starkville. US 82 runs east to west across the northern portion of the city as a bypass, leading east {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ] and northwest {{convert|28|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ]. Route 25 leads south {{convert|31|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ] and Route 12 leads southwest {{convert|26|mi|km|abbr=on}} to ]. The nearest airport with scheduled service is ] (GTR). ] (KSTF) serves as Starkville's ] airport. There are multiple privately owned airstrips in the area.
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===2010 census=== ===2010 census===
As of the ],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 23,888 people, 9,845 households, and 4,800 families residing in the city. The ] was 936.4 people per square mile (328.7/km{{sup|2}}). There were 11,767 housing units at an average density of 396.7/sq&nbsp;mi (153.2/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the city was 58.5% ], 34.06% ], 0.2% ], 3.75% ], 0.1% ], 0.64% from ], and 1.3% from ]. ] of any race were 1.8% of the population. As of the ],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 23,888 people, 9,845 households, and 4,800 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|936.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 11,767 housing units at an average density of {{convert|396.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 58.5% ], 34.06% ], 0.2% ], 3.75% ], 0.1% ], 0.64% from ], and 1.3% from ]. ] of any race were 1.8% of the population.


There were 9,845 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were ] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.92. There were 9,845 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were ] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.92.
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===Religion=== ===Religion===
Starkville has more than 80 places of worship, which serve most religious traditions. Faculty, staff and students at ], including those from other nations, have greatly increased the city's diversity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/lifestyle/comm_involv.html |title=Community Involvement |publisher=Cityofstarkville.org |access-date=October 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725062943/http://www.cityofstarkville.org/lifestyle/comm_involv.html |archive-date=July 25, 2008 }}</ref> As of October 2007, approximately half (49.74%) of the residents of Starkville claim a religious affiliation; most are Christian. Of those claiming affiliation, 41.59% self-identify as ], including 25% ] and 11% ]. Lower percentages identify as ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/Zip_Code_39759_Starkville_MS-RELIGION-73975900100.aspx |title=Starkville, Mississippi (MS) religion resources - Sperling's BestPlaces |publisher=Bestplaces.net |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/Starkville_MS-73975900101.aspx |title=Starkville, Mississippi (MS) religion resources - Sperling's BestPlaces |publisher=Bestplaces.net |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref> Starkville has more than 80 places of worship, which serve most religious traditions. Faculty, staff and students at ], including those from other nations, have greatly increased the city's diversity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofstarkville.org/lifestyle/comm_involv.html |title=Community Involvement |publisher=Cityofstarkville.org |access-date=October 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725062943/http://www.cityofstarkville.org/lifestyle/comm_involv.html |archive-date=July 25, 2008 }}</ref> As of October 2007, approximately half (49.74%) of the residents of Starkville claim a religious affiliation; most are Christian. Of those claiming affiliation, 41.59% self-identify as ], including 25% ] and 11% ]. Lower percentages identify as ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/Zip_Code_39759_Starkville_MS-RELIGION-73975900100.aspx |title=Starkville, Mississippi (MS) religion resources - Sperling's BestPlaces |publisher=Bestplaces.net |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/zip-code/Starkville_MS-73975900101.aspx |title=Starkville, Mississippi (MS) religion resources - Sperling's BestPlaces |publisher=Bestplaces.net |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref>


==Arts and culture== ==Arts and culture==
===Cotton District=== ===Cotton District===
{{main|The Cotton District}} {{main|The Cotton District}}
The Cotton District is a neighborhood located in Starkville that was redeveloped as part of the ] movement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|title=New Towns &ndash; Cotton District, Mississippi|url=http://www.tndtownpaper.com/Volume4/new_towns_cotton_district.htm|access-date=February 20, 2014|newspaper=The Town Paper|date=January 2002}}</ref> It was founded in 1969<ref name="Cotton District mam">{{cite web |title=Getting Out in the Cotton District |url=https://mudandmagnolias.com/getting-out-in-the-cotton-district/ |access-date=December 30, 2021 |date=April 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = History - The Cotton District | access-date=December 30, 2021| url= http://www.cottondistrictms.com/history-of-cd/}}</ref> by Dan Camp, who was the developer, owner and property manager of much of the area.<ref>{{cite web | title = 'Community Visionary' Continues Shaking Up Starkville | publisher = Mississippi Business Journal | date = July 31, 2000 | url = http://msbusiness.com/blog/2000/07/31/8216community-visionary8217-continues-shaking-up-starkville/}}</ref> The architecture of the Cotton District has historical elements and scale, with Greek Revival mixed with Classical or Victorian. It is a compact, walkable neighborhood that contains many restaurants and bars, in addition to thousands of unique residential units. The Cotton District is a neighborhood located in Starkville that was redeveloped as part of the ] movement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|title=New Towns &ndash; Cotton District, Mississippi|url=http://www.tndtownpaper.com/Volume4/new_towns_cotton_district.htm|access-date=February 20, 2014|newspaper=The Town Paper|date=January 2002}}</ref> It was founded in 1969<ref name="Cotton District mam">{{cite web |title=Getting Out in the Cotton District |url=https://mudandmagnolias.com/getting-out-in-the-cotton-district/ |access-date=December 30, 2021 |date=April 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = History - The Cotton District | access-date=December 30, 2021| url= http://www.cottondistrictms.com/history-of-cd/}}</ref> by Dan Camp, who was the developer, owner and property manager of much of the area.<ref>{{cite web | title = 'Community Visionary' Continues Shaking Up Starkville | publisher = Mississippi Business Journal | date = July 31, 2000 | url = http://msbusiness.com/blog/2000/07/31/8216community-visionary8217-continues-shaking-up-starkville/}}</ref> The architecture of the Cotton District has historical elements and scale, with Greek Revival mixed with Classical or Victorian. It is a compact, walkable neighborhood that contains many restaurants and bars, in addition to thousands of unique residential units.


===Libraries=== ===Libraries===
The ] is headquartered at its main branch in Downtown Starkville. In addition to the local public library, the Mississippi State University Library has the largest collection in Mississippi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lib.msstate.edu/about/overview/|title=Library Overview » Mississippi State University Libraries|website=lib.msstate.edu|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> The Mississippi State Mitchell Memorial Library also hosts the ] and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of ]. The ] is headquartered at its main branch in Downtown Starkville. In addition to the local public library, the Mississippi State University Library has the largest collection in Mississippi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lib.msstate.edu/about/overview/|title=Library Overview » Mississippi State University Libraries|website=lib.msstate.edu|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> The Mississippi State Mitchell Memorial Library also hosts the ] and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of ].


==Government== ==Government==
Executive and legislative authority in the city of Starkville is respectively vested in a mayor and seven-member board of aldermen concurrently elected to four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofstarkville.org/27/City-Government|title=City Government {{!}} Starkville, MS - Official Website|website=www.cityofstarkville.org|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Since 2017 the mayor has been Lynn Spruill, a ] and the first female mayor elected in Starkville's history. Starkville has a ] government, with the mayor having the power to appoint city officials and veto decisions by the board of aldermen. Executive and legislative authority in the city of Starkville is respectively vested in a mayor and seven-member board of aldermen concurrently elected to four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofstarkville.org/27/City-Government|title=City Government {{!}} Starkville, MS - Official Website|website=www.cityofstarkville.org|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Since 2017 the mayor has been Lynn Spruill, a ] and the first female mayor elected in Starkville's history. Starkville has a ] government, with the mayor having the power to appoint city officials and veto decisions by the board of aldermen.


Starkville is split between ] districts 38 and 43,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statisticalatlas.com/state-lower-legislative-district/Mississippi/District-38/Overview|title=Overview of State House District 38, Mississippi (State House District) - Statistical Atlas|website=statisticalatlas.com|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> currently represented by Democrat Cheikh Taylor and ] Rob Roberson. The city is similarly split between ] districts 15 and 16 represented by Republican Bart Williams<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramseth|first=Luke|title=Jackson Councilman Stamps, 3 others heading to Legislature after special election wins|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/13/polls-closed-who-take-four-mississippi-legislative-seats/5968437002/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=The Clarion-Ledger|language=en-US}}</ref> and Democrat Angela Turner-Ford. Starkville and Oktibbeha County are in the northern districts of the ] and ], represented by Republican John Caldwell<ref>{{Cite web|last=Journal|first=TAYLOR VANCE Daily|title=John Caldwell wins northern transportation commissioner race|url=https://www.djournal.com/news/state-news/john-caldwell-wins-northern-transportation-commissioner-race/article_1a1bdcce-0dd5-50f3-97c0-37536900b3ae.html|access-date=2021-10-14|website=Daily Journal|language=en}}</ref> and Democrat ]. Starkville is split between ] districts 38 and 43,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statisticalatlas.com/state-lower-legislative-district/Mississippi/District-38/Overview|title=Overview of State House District 38, Mississippi (State House District) - Statistical Atlas|website=statisticalatlas.com|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> currently represented by Democrat Cheikh Taylor and ] Rob Roberson. The city is similarly split between ] districts 15 and 16 represented by Republican Bart Williams<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramseth|first=Luke|title=Jackson Councilman Stamps, 3 others heading to Legislature after special election wins|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/13/polls-closed-who-take-four-mississippi-legislative-seats/5968437002/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=The Clarion-Ledger|language=en-US}}</ref> and Democrat Angela Turner-Ford. Starkville and Oktibbeha County are in the northern districts of the ] and ], represented by Republican John Caldwell<ref>{{Cite web|first=Taylor|last=Vance|title=John Caldwell wins northern transportation commissioner race|url=https://www.djournal.com/news/state-news/john-caldwell-wins-northern-transportation-commissioner-race/article_1a1bdcce-0dd5-50f3-97c0-37536900b3ae.html|access-date=2021-10-14|website=Daily Journal|language=en}}</ref> and Democrat ].


Starkville is in ], represented by Congressman ]. Starkville is in ], represented by Congressman ].
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Henderson was repurposed as a junior high school, and the Rosenwald School was burned to the ground.<ref>{{cite web|title=Segregated Education| url= http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/segregated-education/|access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> Henderson was repurposed as a junior high school, and the Rosenwald School was burned to the ground.<ref>{{cite web|title=Segregated Education| url= http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/segregated-education/|access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref>


Until 2015, Starkville and much of the surrounding area was served by the ] (SSD) while Oktibbeha County was served by Oktibbeha County School District (OCSD). The two districts were realigned following ] in 1970 in a way that placed Starkville and majority-white, relatively affluent areas immediately outside of the city limits into SSD while the remaining portions of Oktibbeha County, which are over 90% Black, were placed into OCSD.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://hechingerreport.org/what-happens-when-two-separate-and-unequal-school-districts-merge/|title=What happens when two separate and unequal school districts merge? - The Hechinger Report|date=October 3, 2016|work=The Hechinger Report|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> As a result of this disparity in the racial demographics of the two districts, Oktibbeha County was placed under a Federal desegregation order.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://projects.propublica.org/segregation-now/|title=Segregation Now |website =ProPublica| language=en |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Previous attempts to consolidate the two districts during the 1990s and in 2010 had been unsuccessful, but following an act of the ] the two were consolidated in 2015.<ref>{{Cite book|title=School District Consolidation in Mississippi|publisher= Mississippi Professional Educators|date=December 2016 }}</ref> Contrary to predictions, the public schools experienced an inflow of students from private schools when the predominantly white Starkville School district merged with the predominantly black Oktibbeha schools.<ref>{{cite web| last1= Grant |first1 =Richard |title =Starkville school merger: What went right?|url =https://mississippitoday.org/2016/07/19/starkville-school-merger-what-went-right/| access-date=March 29, 2018|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> Until 2015, Starkville and much of the surrounding area was served by the ] (SSD) while Oktibbeha County was served by Oktibbeha County School District (OCSD). The two districts were realigned following ] in 1970 in a way that placed Starkville and majority-white, relatively affluent areas immediately outside of the city limits into SSD while the remaining portions of Oktibbeha County, which are over 90% Black, were placed into OCSD.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://hechingerreport.org/what-happens-when-two-separate-and-unequal-school-districts-merge/|title=What happens when two separate and unequal school districts merge? - The Hechinger Report|date=October 3, 2016|work=The Hechinger Report|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> As a result of this disparity in the racial demographics of the two districts, Oktibbeha County was placed under a Federal desegregation order.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://projects.propublica.org/segregation-now/|title=Segregation Now |website =ProPublica| language=en |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Previous attempts to consolidate the two districts during the 1990s and in 2010 had been unsuccessful, but following an act of the ] the two were consolidated in 2015.<ref>{{Cite book|title=School District Consolidation in Mississippi|publisher= Mississippi Professional Educators|date=December 2016 }}</ref> Contrary to predictions, the public schools experienced an inflow of students from private schools when the predominantly white Starkville School district merged with the predominantly black Oktibbeha schools.<ref>{{cite web| last1= Grant |first1 =Richard |title =Starkville school merger: What went right?|url =https://mississippitoday.org/2016/07/19/starkville-school-merger-what-went-right/| access-date=March 29, 2018|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>


The schools continue to operate under a Federal desegregation order.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Larson|first1=Jeff|last2=Hannah-Jones|first2=Nikole|title=School Segregation After Brown|url=https://projects.propublica.org/segregation-now/|access-date=November 10, 2017|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> The schools continue to operate under a Federal desegregation order.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Larson|first1=Jeff|last2=Hannah-Jones|first2=Nikole|title=School Segregation After Brown|url=https://projects.propublica.org/segregation-now/|access-date=November 10, 2017|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>
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* Millsaps Career & Technology Center * Millsaps Career & Technology Center


In 2015 it was announced that SOCSD and Mississippi State University would cooperate in establishing a partnership school. The school will be for all grade 6 and 7 students in Oktibbeha County and will be located on the Mississippi State University campus. The school will serve as an instructional site for students and faculty of Mississippi State University's College of Education, and as a one-of-a-kind rural education research center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/05/msu-sosd-move-education-forward-partnership-school-groundbreaking/|title=MSU, SOSD move education forward with Partnership School groundbreaking|last=Team|first=ITS Web Development|date=May 17, 2017|work=Mississippi State University|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Construction on the partnership school began in spring 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://starkvilledailynews.com/?q=content/work-officially-begins-partnership-school|title=Work officially begins on Partnership School {{!}} Starkville Daily News|website=starkvilledailynews.com|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> The school opened in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carskadon |first=James |date=4 August 2020 |title=MSU, SOSD mark new era with opening of Partnership Middle School Administrators cut a ribbon in the atrium of the Partnership Middle School |work=Mississippi State Newsroom |url=https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2021/09/msu-sosd-collaboration-expands-year-two-partnership-middle-school |access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref> In 2015 it was announced that SOCSD and Mississippi State University would cooperate in establishing a partnership school. The school will be for all grade 6 and 7 students in Oktibbeha County and will be located on the Mississippi State University campus. The school will serve as an instructional site for students and faculty of Mississippi State University's College of Education, and as a one-of-a-kind rural education research center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2017/05/msu-sosd-move-education-forward-partnership-school-groundbreaking/|title=MSU, SOSD move education forward with Partnership School groundbreaking|date=May 17, 2017|work=Mississippi State University|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Construction on the partnership school began in spring 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://starkvilledailynews.com/?q=content/work-officially-begins-partnership-school|title=Work officially begins on Partnership School|website=starkvilledailynews.com|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> The school opened in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carskadon |first=James |date=4 August 2020 |title=MSU, SOSD mark new era with opening of Partnership Middle School Administrators cut a ribbon in the atrium of the Partnership Middle School |work=Mississippi State Newsroom |url=https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2021/09/msu-sosd-collaboration-expands-year-two-partnership-middle-school |access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>


Prior to integration, African-American students in Starkville attended the historic ]. The school was later re-purposed as Starkville School District's ] school and is now an elementary school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/segregated-education/|title=Segregated Education {{!}} A Shaky Truce : Starkville Civil Rights, 1960-1980|website=starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Prior to integration, African-American students in Starkville attended the historic ]. The school was later re-purposed as Starkville School District's ] school and is now an elementary school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/segregated-education/|title=Segregated Education {{!}} A Shaky Truce : Starkville Civil Rights, 1960-1980|website=starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>
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* Starkville Christian School, founded 1996 * Starkville Christian School, founded 1996


Starkville Academy has been described as a ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Segregated Education |publisher= ] library project on Starkville civil rights| url =http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/backlash/| access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> Despite fears that the consolidation of the Starkville and Oktibbeha County school districts in 2015 would lead to additional ] to private schools, district consolidation actually resulted in decreased enrollment at area private schools as more white parents living in Oktibbeha County opted to enroll their children in the consolidated district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2016/07/19/starkville-school-merger-what-went-right/|title=Starkville school merger: What went right? {{!}} Mississippi Today|website=mississippitoday.org|date=July 19, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Starkville Academy has been described as a ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Segregated Education |publisher= ] library project on Starkville civil rights| url =http://starkvillecivilrights.msstate.edu/wordpress/backlash/| access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> Despite fears that the consolidation of the Starkville and Oktibbeha County school districts in 2015 would lead to additional ] to private schools, district consolidation actually resulted in decreased enrollment at area private schools as more white parents living in Oktibbeha County opted to enroll their children in the consolidated district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mississippitoday.org/2016/07/19/starkville-school-merger-what-went-right/|title=Starkville school merger: What went right? {{!}} Mississippi Today|website=mississippitoday.org|date=July 19, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref>


===Tertiary education and libraries=== ===Tertiary education and libraries===
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* ], African-American baseball player; member of ] * ], African-American baseball player; member of ]
* ], baseball player in the ]; brother of ]<ref>{{cite web | title = Fred Bell | website = Baseball Reference | url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/nlb/player.cgi?id=bell--002fre | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref> * ], baseball player in the ]; brother of ]<ref>{{cite web | title = Fred Bell | website = Baseball Reference | url = https://www.baseball-reference.com/nlb/player.cgi?id=bell--002fre | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref>
* ], professional baseball and football player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bootyjo01|title=Josh Booty Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac|first=Baseball Almanac|last=Inc.|website=Baseball-almanac.com|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref> * ], professional baseball and football player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=bootyjo01|title=Josh Booty Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac|website=Baseball-almanac.com|access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref>
* ], professional baseball player * ], professional baseball player
* ], professional football player<ref>{{cite web | title = Marquez Branson | publisher = NFL Enterprises | url = http://www.nfl.com/player/marquezbranson/79537/profile | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref> * ], professional football player<ref>{{cite web | title = Marquez Branson | publisher = NFL Enterprises | url = http://www.nfl.com/player/marquezbranson/79537/profile | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref>
* ], NFL wide receiver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/11/10/titans-aj-brown-working-to-be-physical-wide-receiver/43076129/|title = Titans' A. J. Brown working to be physical wide receiver|website = ]}}</ref> * ], NFL wide receiver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/11/10/titans-aj-brown-working-to-be-physical-wide-receiver/43076129/|title = Titans' A. J. Brown working to be physical wide receiver|website = ]}}</ref>
* ], governor of the ], 1928–1932<ref>{{cite web | title = Harry Burgress | publisher = Panama Canal Authority | url = http://www.pancanal.com/eng/history/biographies/burgess.html | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref> * ], governor of the ], 1928–1932<ref>{{cite web | title = Harry Burgress | publisher = Panama Canal Authority | url = http://www.pancanal.com/eng/history/biographies/burgess.html | access-date = January 3, 2014 | archive-date = February 1, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140201224721/http://www.pancanal.com/eng/history/biographies/burgess.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>
* ], preacher, professor, historian; lived in Starkville<ref name=Lloyd>{{Cite book| first= James B.| last = Lloyd |title=Lives of mississippi authors, 1817-1967| date=2009|publisher=Univ Pr Of Mississippi|isbn=978-1-60473-411-9| location=Jackson| oclc=320801688}}</ref> * ], preacher, professor, historian; lived in Starkville<ref name=Lloyd>{{Cite book| first= James B.| last = Lloyd |title=Lives of mississippi authors, 1817-1967| date=2009|publisher=Univ Pr Of Mississippi|isbn=978-1-60473-411-9| location=Jackson| oclc=320801688}}</ref>
* ], distinguished U.S. Air Force pilot and commander<ref>{{cite web | title = Lieutenant General John W. Carpenter III | publisher = Lanbob | url = http://lanbob.com/lanbob/H-42Auth/CJ30P-BIO.htm | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref> * ], distinguished U.S. Air Force pilot and commander<ref>{{cite web | title = Lieutenant General John W. Carpenter III | publisher = Lanbob | url = http://lanbob.com/lanbob/H-42Auth/CJ30P-BIO.htm | access-date = January 3, 2014}}</ref>
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* ], professional football player and businessman<ref>{{cite news|title=Willie Daniel|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/clarionledger/obituary.aspx?pid=175193432|access-date=March 22, 2017}}</ref> * ], professional football player and businessman<ref>{{cite news|title=Willie Daniel|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/clarionledger/obituary.aspx?pid=175193432|access-date=March 22, 2017}}</ref>
* ], basketball player and coach<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pogue|first1=Greg|title=Pogue: Hoops is family affair for Davis family|url=http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/college/mtsu/2015/03/02/pogue-commentary-hoops-family-affair/24244873/|access-date=March 23, 2017|date=March 1, 2015}}</ref> * ], basketball player and coach<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pogue|first1=Greg|title=Pogue: Hoops is family affair for Davis family|url=http://www.dnj.com/story/sports/college/mtsu/2015/03/02/pogue-commentary-hoops-family-affair/24244873/|access-date=March 23, 2017|date=March 1, 2015}}</ref>
* ], author, podcaster, and online personality
* ], musician and Christian radio and television show host<ref>{{cite book | last = Powell | first = Mark Allan | title = Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music | publisher = Hendrickson Publishers | year = 2002 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xwI5AQAAIAAJ| isbn = 9781565636798 }}</ref> * ], musician and Christian radio and television show host<ref>{{cite book | last = Powell | first = Mark Allan | title = Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music | publisher = Hendrickson Publishers | year = 2002 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xwI5AQAAIAAJ| isbn = 9781565636798 }}</ref>
* ], professional football player * ], professional football player
* ], basketball player<ref name="EubanksBirth">{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Danny |title=Oregon State kicks off last non-conference road trip at Mississippi State: Preview and chat |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2016/12/oregon_state_kicks_off_last_no.html |website=Oregon Live |access-date=10 September 2018 |date=2 December 2016}}</ref> * ], basketball player<ref name="EubanksBirth">{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Danny |title=Oregon State kicks off last non-conference road trip at Mississippi State: Preview and chat |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2016/12/oregon_state_kicks_off_last_no.html |website=Oregon Live |access-date=10 September 2018 |date=2 December 2016}}</ref>
* ], football player and coach<ref>{{cite web|title=Rockey & Susan Felker: It's All Been Good|url=https://mschristianliving.com/2014/covers/rockey-susan-felker-its-all-been-good/|access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref> * ], football player and coach<ref>{{cite web|title=Rockey & Susan Felker: It's All Been Good|url=https://mschristianliving.com/2014/covers/rockey-susan-felker-its-all-been-good/|access-date=November 20, 2017}}</ref>
* ], NFL linebacker<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2020/04/23/willie-gay-mississippi-state-linebacker-2020-nfl-draft-college-football-ncaa-5-things-to-know/3011615001/|title = 5 things to know about former Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr}}</ref> * ], NFL linebacker<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/mississippi-state/2020/04/23/willie-gay-mississippi-state-linebacker-2020-nfl-draft-college-football-ncaa-5-things-to-know/3011615001/|title = 5 things to know about former Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr}}</ref>
* ], former president of Mississippi State University; lived in Starkville<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giles.msstate.edu/gilesbio/|title=W.L. Giles Biography - The W.L. Giles Distinguished Professors - Mississippi State University|first=ITS Web Development|last=Team|website=Giles.msstate.edu|access-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211093128/http://www.giles.msstate.edu/gilesbio/|archive-date=February 11, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> * ], former president of Mississippi State University; lived in Starkville<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giles.msstate.edu/gilesbio/|title=W.L. Giles Biography - The W.L. Giles Distinguished Professors - Mississippi State University|website=Giles.msstate.edu|access-date=March 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211093128/http://www.giles.msstate.edu/gilesbio/|archive-date=February 11, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ], author, actor, and pop culture historian * ], author, actor, and pop culture historian
* ], politician<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oktibbehaheritagemuseum.com/wordpress/2015/06/horace-harned-jr-and-the-famed-flying-tigers/|title = Horace Harned, Jr. And the Famed Flying Tigers :: Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum in Starkville, MS}}</ref> * ], politician<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oktibbehaheritagemuseum.com/wordpress/2015/06/horace-harned-jr-and-the-famed-flying-tigers/|title = Horace Harned, Jr. And the Famed Flying Tigers :: Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum in Starkville, MS}}</ref>
Line 480: Line 483:
* ], musician; lived in Starkville * ], musician; lived in Starkville
* ], professional football player; member of NFL Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame * ], professional football player; member of NFL Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame
*], suffragist and librarian, born and lived in Starkville
*], university physics professor
* ], journalist and author * ], journalist and author
* ], football player, mayor of Starkville<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msfame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/billy-mcgovern-stacy/|title=Billy McGovern Stacy|publisher=Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum| access-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref> * ], football player, mayor of Starkville<ref>{{cite web|url=https://msfame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/billy-mcgovern-stacy/|title=Billy McGovern Stacy|publisher=Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum| access-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref>
Line 501: Line 506:
The song appears on the album ''].'' The song appears on the album ''].''


From November 2 to 4, 2007, the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival was held in Starkville. At the festival, Cash was offered a symbolic ] pardon by the city. They honored Cash's life and music, and the festival was expected to become an annual event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20611738 |title=Mississippi town to honor the 'Man in Black' - US and Canada - NBC News |publisher=NBC News |date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref> The festival was started by Robbie Ward, who said: "Johnny Cash was arrested in seven places, but he only wrote a song about one of those places."<ref>''The New York Times'' "Facts Mix With Legend on the Road to Redemption." Barry, Dan. Oct.20, 2008.</ref> From November 2 to 4, 2007, the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival was held in Starkville. At the festival, Cash was offered a symbolic ] pardon by the city. They honored Cash's life and music, and the festival was expected to become an annual event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20611738 |title=Mississippi town to honor the 'Man in Black' - US and Canada - NBC News |publisher=NBC News |date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=October 21, 2008}}</ref> The festival was started by Robbie Ward, who said: "Johnny Cash was arrested in seven places, but he only wrote a song about one of those places."<ref>''The New York Times'' "Facts Mix With Legend on the Road to Redemption." Barry, Dan. Oct.20, 2008.</ref>


In 2021, a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker honoring Cash was installed in Starkville near the Oktibbeha County Jail.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Tyler B. |date=16 May 2021 |title=Johnny Cash honored with Mississippi Country Music Trail Marker in Starkville |work=] |url=https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-05-16/johnny-cash-honored-with-mississippi-country-music-trail-marker-in-starkville/ |access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref> In 2021, a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker honoring Cash was installed in Starkville near the Oktibbeha County Jail.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Tyler B. |date=16 May 2021 |title=Johnny Cash honored with Mississippi Country Music Trail Marker in Starkville |work=] |url=https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-05-16/johnny-cash-honored-with-mississippi-country-music-trail-marker-in-starkville/ |access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 23:38, 6 December 2024

City in Mississippi, United States
Starkville, Mississippi
City
Cotton DistrictCotton District
Flag of Starkville, MississippiFlagOfficial seal of Starkville, MississippiSealOfficial logo of Starkville, MississippiLogo
Nickname(s): StarkVegas, Boardtown
Location of Starkville, MississippiLocation of Starkville, Mississippi
Starkville, Mississippi is located in the United StatesStarkville, MississippiStarkville, MississippiLocation in the United States
Coordinates: 33°27′45″N 88°49′12″W / 33.46250°N 88.82000°W / 33.46250; -88.82000
Country United States
State Mississippi
CountyOktibbeha
City1835
Named forJohn Stark
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council government
 • MayorLynn Spruill (D)
Area
 • Total25.62 sq mi (66.37 km)
 • Land25.51 sq mi (66.08 km)
 • Water0.11 sq mi (0.28 km)
Elevation335 ft (102 m)
Population
 • Total24,360
 • Density954.77/sq mi (368.63/km)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes39759-39760
Area code662
FIPS code28-70240
GNIS feature ID0678227
WebsiteCity of Starkville

Starkville is a city in, and the county seat of, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, Starkville's population is 24,360, making it the 16th-most populated city in Mississippi. Starkville is the largest city in the Golden Triangle, which had a population of 175,474 in 2020, and the principal city of the Starkville-Columbus, MS CSA. Founded in 1831, the city was originally known as Boardtown for the local sawmilling operation there, but was renamed in 1837 to honor American Revolutionary War general John Stark.

Starkville is adjacent to and closely associated with Mississippi State University, which was founded as the state's flagship land-grant research university in 1878. The university was located near Starkville in the Mississippi Black Belt due to the region's agricultural productivity, particularly in the timber, cattle, and dairying industries. The expansion of the university transformed Starkville from a primarily agricultural center into a college town, and its economy today is mostly centered around advanced research and manufacturing, retail, and tourism supported by the university population. The Cotton District, developed in the 1960s as North America's first New Urbanist community, is an active student quarter located between downtown Starkville and the university campus.

History

The Starkville area has been inhabited for over 2,100 years. Artifacts in the form of clay pot fragments and artwork dating from that time period have been found east of Starkville at the Herman Mound and Village site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The village site can be accessed from the Indian Mound Campground. The earthwork mounds were made by early Native Americans of moundbuilder cultures as part of their religious and political cosmology.

Shortly before the American Revolutionary War period, the area was inhabited by the Choccuma (or Chakchiuma) tribe. They were annihilated about that time by a rare alliance between the Choctaw and Chickasaw peoples.

Early 19th century

The modern European-American settlement of the Starkville area was started after the Choctaw inhabitants of Oktibbeha County surrendered their claims to land in the area in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830. Most of the Native Americans of the Southeast were forced west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and Indian Removal.

White settlers were drawn to the Starkville area because of two large springs near the old part of the town, which Native Americans had used for thousands of years. A mill on the Big Black River southwest of town produced clapboards, giving the town its original name, Boardtown in 1834. The first court met in 1834 under a large tree. In 1835, when Boardtown was established as the county seat of Oktibbeha County, it was renamed as Starkville in honor of Revolutionary War hero General John Stark. A log courthouse and a one-room jailhouse were constructed in 1835. The jailhouse was unusual in that it had no doors or windows. Prisoners were made to climb a ladder to the roof and then let down through a trap door using a rope.

The first newspaper was founded in 1847. Originally titled The Starkville Whig, it was later renamed The Broad Ax.

Reconstruction to the 20th century

In 1865, during reconstruction, the officer in charge of Starkville allowed a black man accused of raping a white girl to be lynched by running him down with hounds.

In 1875 a fire destroyed 52 buildings. The entire business district was destroyed.

A carpetbagger named McLaughlin, who served as the local head of the Freedmen's Bureau, assisted in the establishment of a black Methodist church and established a cooperative store for blacks in his home. This enraged the white citizens so the Klan attacked the store.

On May 5, 1879, two black men who had been accused of burning a barn, Nevlin Porter and Johnson Spencer, were taken from the jail by a mob of men and hung from crossties of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

In 1888, a mob hanged an African-American man, Eli Bryant, for an alleged attack on a white woman.

Several newspapers were founded in this time period, including The Starkville News in 1891. Early banks included The Peoples Bank in 1889 and Security State Bank in 1896.

A yellow fever epidemic in 1898 resulted in a quarantine of Starkville's railroads by the towns of West Point, Columbus, Artesia and Kosciusko. This resulted in a depletion of medical and other supplies which ultimately resulted in intervention by the state.

20th century

Before the Civil War, Colonel Montgomery imported cattle from the isle of Jersey, initiating the areas prominence as a dairy center. In 1912, the co-operative creamery was created, and in 1926 the Borden Condensary was established.

In April 1912, Gabe (sometimes reported as Abe) Coleman, an African-American man was accused of attacking a farmer's wife and was shot to death by a mob. Nine men were tried for the murder. In February 1912, another African-American man, Mann Hamilton, was murdered by a mob for allegedly attacking a woman. Following an incident in which whites fired into a Republican Meeting at a church in Chapel Hill, Mississippi, killing a black man, a group of black men planned a march in Starkville. They were met at a bridge near the A & M dairy barn by white men from Starkville and West Point armed with cannon loaded with buckshot and iron.

In 1915, two African-American men, Dit Seals and Peter Bolen, were hanged in a public execution while a crowd of 5,000, including blacks and whites, and children watched and sang There is a Land of Pure Delight. The crowd ate lunch while the execution was being conducted. Vendors were on hand selling popcorn, soda pop and sandwiches. The men had been convicted of killing Willie Taylor, an African-American porter on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The story was widely reported as a "gala hanging" sponsored by the merchants of Starkville by various newspapers including the New York World and Chicago Tribune, while the Detroit Times described it as little better than a lynching.

In 1922, Starkville was the site of a large rally of the Ku Klux Klan.

In 1926 the Borden Condensery was established, the first condensery in the southern U.S. At the time, Starkville was served by two railroads, the Illinois Central and the Mobile and Ohio.

In 1970, several Black organizations organized a boycott or selective buying campaign. This was met with firebombings, and a crowd of African-Americans assembled near Henderson High School was broken up by gunfire.

21st century

On March 21, 2006, Starkville became the first city in Mississippi to adopt a smoking ban for indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. This ordinance went into effect on May 20, 2006.

In February 2018, Starkville denied a local LGBTQ organization a permit to host a pride parade. The organizers initiated legal action, after which the city reversed its decision. The parade was held in March 2018 with almost 3,000 attendees.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.8 square miles (66.9 km), of which 25.7 square miles (66.5 km) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km) (0.58%) is water.

U.S. Route 82 and Mississippi Highways 12 and 25 are major roads through Starkville. US 82 runs east to west across the northern portion of the city as a bypass, leading east 25 mi (40 km) to Columbus and northwest 28 mi (45 km) to Eupora. Route 25 leads south 31 mi (50 km) to Louisville and Route 12 leads southwest 26 mi (42 km) to Ackerman. The nearest airport with scheduled service is Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR). George M. Bryan Field (KSTF) serves as Starkville's general aviation airport. There are multiple privately owned airstrips in the area.

Climate

Climate data for Starkville, Mississippi (Mississippi State University) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27)
88
(31)
94
(34)
93
(34)
100
(38)
105
(41)
111
(44)
108
(42)
109
(43)
99
(37)
90
(32)
82
(28)
111
(44)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 54.1
(12.3)
58.6
(14.8)
66.8
(19.3)
75.0
(23.9)
82.5
(28.1)
88.8
(31.6)
91.7
(33.2)
91.7
(33.2)
86.8
(30.4)
77.0
(25.0)
65.4
(18.6)
56.9
(13.8)
74.6
(23.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 43.7
(6.5)
47.4
(8.6)
55.1
(12.8)
63.2
(17.3)
71.8
(22.1)
78.9
(26.1)
82.0
(27.8)
81.2
(27.3)
75.6
(24.2)
64.3
(17.9)
53.4
(11.9)
46.4
(8.0)
63.6
(17.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 33.2
(0.7)
36.2
(2.3)
43.3
(6.3)
51.3
(10.7)
61.0
(16.1)
69.0
(20.6)
72.2
(22.3)
70.7
(21.5)
64.3
(17.9)
51.7
(10.9)
41.5
(5.3)
35.9
(2.2)
52.5
(11.4)
Record low °F (°C) −6
(−21)
−12
(−24)
11
(−12)
20
(−7)
31
(−1)
41
(5)
52
(11)
52
(11)
37
(3)
26
(−3)
10
(−12)
−8
(−22)
−12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 5.48
(139)
6.18
(157)
5.37
(136)
6.07
(154)
4.23
(107)
4.59
(117)
4.51
(115)
4.21
(107)
3.74
(95)
3.86
(98)
4.42
(112)
5.32
(135)
57.98
(1,473)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.3
(0.76)
0.2
(0.51)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.5
(1.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.4 10.6 10.4 9.0 9.7 10.7 9.8 9.7 6.5 7.1 8.9 10.3 114.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870475
18801,500215.8%
18901,72515.0%
19001,98615.1%
19102,69835.9%
19202,596−3.8%
19303,61239.1%
19404,90035.7%
19507,10745.0%
19609,04127.2%
197011,36925.7%
198016,13942.0%
199018,45814.4%
200021,86918.5%
201023,8889.2%
202024,3602.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
Downtown Starkville
Montgomery Hall is one of 22 sites in Starkville listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cooperative Creamery Station in Starkville, 1939

2020 census

Starkville Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 13,502 55.43%
Black or African American 8,365 34.34%
Native American 34 0.14%
Asian 1,047 4.3%
Pacific Islander 5 0.02%
Other/Mixed 736 3.02%
Hispanic or Latino 671 2.75%

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 24,360 people, 10,092 households, and 4,895 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 23,888 people, 9,845 households, and 4,800 families residing in the city. The population density was 936.4 inhabitants per square mile (361.5/km). There were 11,767 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile (153.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 58.5% white, 34.06% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.75% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 9,845 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution, strongly influenced by the presence of Mississippi State, was 18.8% under 18, 29.7% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,357, and the median income for a family was $40,557. Males had a median income of $35,782 versus $23,711 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,787. About 19.1% of families and 33.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Starkville has more than 80 places of worship, which serve most religious traditions. Faculty, staff and students at Mississippi State University, including those from other nations, have greatly increased the city's diversity. As of October 2007, approximately half (49.74%) of the residents of Starkville claim a religious affiliation; most are Christian. Of those claiming affiliation, 41.59% self-identify as Protestant, including 25% Baptist and 11% Methodist. Lower percentages identify as Catholic, Mormon, Hindu and Muslim.

Arts and culture

Cotton District

Main article: The Cotton District

The Cotton District is a neighborhood located in Starkville that was redeveloped as part of the new urbanism movement. It was founded in 1969 by Dan Camp, who was the developer, owner and property manager of much of the area. The architecture of the Cotton District has historical elements and scale, with Greek Revival mixed with Classical or Victorian. It is a compact, walkable neighborhood that contains many restaurants and bars, in addition to thousands of unique residential units.

Libraries

The Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System is headquartered at its main branch in Downtown Starkville. In addition to the local public library, the Mississippi State University Library has the largest collection in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Mitchell Memorial Library also hosts the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana.

Government

Executive and legislative authority in the city of Starkville is respectively vested in a mayor and seven-member board of aldermen concurrently elected to four-year terms. Since 2017 the mayor has been Lynn Spruill, a Democrat and the first female mayor elected in Starkville's history. Starkville has a strong-mayor government, with the mayor having the power to appoint city officials and veto decisions by the board of aldermen.

Starkville is split between Mississippi House districts 38 and 43, currently represented by Democrat Cheikh Taylor and Republican Rob Roberson. The city is similarly split between Mississippi Senate districts 15 and 16 represented by Republican Bart Williams and Democrat Angela Turner-Ford. Starkville and Oktibbeha County are in the northern districts of the Mississippi Transportation Commission and Public Service Commission, represented by Republican John Caldwell and Democrat Brandon Presley.

Starkville is in Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District, represented by Congressman Michael Guest.

Education

Public schools

Main article: Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District

In 1927, the city and the Rosenwald Foundation opened a pair of schools, the Rosenwald School and the Oktibbeha County Training School, later known as Henderson High School, for its African-American residents. In 1970, integration caused the merger of these schools with the white schools. Henderson was repurposed as a junior high school, and the Rosenwald School was burned to the ground.

Until 2015, Starkville and much of the surrounding area was served by the Starkville School District (SSD) while Oktibbeha County was served by Oktibbeha County School District (OCSD). The two districts were realigned following integration in 1970 in a way that placed Starkville and majority-white, relatively affluent areas immediately outside of the city limits into SSD while the remaining portions of Oktibbeha County, which are over 90% Black, were placed into OCSD. As a result of this disparity in the racial demographics of the two districts, Oktibbeha County was placed under a Federal desegregation order. Previous attempts to consolidate the two districts during the 1990s and in 2010 had been unsuccessful, but following an act of the Mississippi Legislature the two were consolidated in 2015. Contrary to predictions, the public schools experienced an inflow of students from private schools when the predominantly white Starkville School district merged with the predominantly black Oktibbeha schools.

The schools continue to operate under a Federal desegregation order.

The following schools of the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District are located in Starkville:

  • Sudduth Elementary (grades K-1)
  • Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary (grades 2–4)
  • Overstreet Elementary (grade 5)
  • Partnership Middle School (grades 6–7)
  • Armstrong Junior High School (grades 8–9)
  • Starkville High School (grades 10–12)
  • Emerson Preschool
  • Millsaps Career & Technology Center

In 2015 it was announced that SOCSD and Mississippi State University would cooperate in establishing a partnership school. The school will be for all grade 6 and 7 students in Oktibbeha County and will be located on the Mississippi State University campus. The school will serve as an instructional site for students and faculty of Mississippi State University's College of Education, and as a one-of-a-kind rural education research center. Construction on the partnership school began in spring 2017. The school opened in August 2020.

Prior to integration, African-American students in Starkville attended the historic Henderson High School. The school was later re-purposed as Starkville School District's junior high school and is now an elementary school.

Private schools

Private schools in Starkville include:

Starkville Academy has been described as a segregation academy. Despite fears that the consolidation of the Starkville and Oktibbeha County school districts in 2015 would lead to additional White flight to private schools, district consolidation actually resulted in decreased enrollment at area private schools as more white parents living in Oktibbeha County opted to enroll their children in the consolidated district.

Tertiary education and libraries

Starkville Library

Mississippi State University is partially in the Starkville city limits, and partially in the Mississippi State census-designated place.

East Mississippi Community College is the designated community college for the county, but does not operate facilities in it.

Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System maintains the Starkville Library.

Media

Newspapers

Radio

  • WMSV (Mississippi State Radio Station)
  • WMAB (Public Radio)
  • WMSU
  • WQJB
  • WMXU
  • WJZB
  • WSMS
  • WSSO (WSSO was Starkville's first radio station, first broadcasting in 1949 at 250W on 1230 AM)

Television

Magazines

  • Town and Gown Magazine

Notable people

See also: List of Mississippi State University people

In popular culture

Pilot Charles Lindbergh, the first to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, made a successful landing on the outskirts of Starkville in 1927 during his Guggenheim Tour. He stayed overnight at a boarding house in the Maben community. Lindbergh later wrote about that landing in his autobiographical account of his barnstorming days, titled WE.

Starkville is one of several places in the United States that claims to have created Tee Ball. Tee Ball was popularized in Starkville in 1961 by W.W. Littlejohn and Dr. Clyde Muse, members of the Starkville Rotarians.

Johnny Cash was arrested for public drunkenness (though he described it as being picked up for picking flowers) in Starkville and held overnight at the city jail on May 11, 1965. This inspired his song "Starkville City Jail":

They're bound to get you,
Cause they got a curfew,
And you go to the Starkville city jail.

The song appears on the album At San Quentin.

From November 2 to 4, 2007, the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival was held in Starkville. At the festival, Cash was offered a symbolic posthumous pardon by the city. They honored Cash's life and music, and the festival was expected to become an annual event. The festival was started by Robbie Ward, who said: "Johnny Cash was arrested in seven places, but he only wrote a song about one of those places."

In 2021, a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker honoring Cash was installed in Starkville near the Oktibbeha County Jail.

In 2014, Gordon Ramsay visited the Hotel Chester in his series Hotel Hell in a successful attempt to help the struggling hotel remain in business.

References

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