Spend a little time in Booneville. Take a morning walk
around town. Stop and talk to the folks who say "good morning" on the
sidewalk. It won't be long before you notice something - Booneville
is not really a small town. It's one big neighborhood.

No matter where you need to be in the area, you can be there in 15 minutes.
And along the way, you'll see plenty of familiar faces like the friends
and neighbors, who point out hidden fishing holes and check on things
while you're away.
It's this genuine friendliness that prompted Mississippi to name Booneville
its first "City of Hospitality."
The entire community shares in the good times during the Hospitality
Fall Festival each October. And everybody shows up to dote on the local
youngsters marching in the Annual Fourth of July Parade before heading
out to the Prentiss County Agri-Center for the fireworks extravaganza.
Northeast Mississippi Community College brings much more than book smarts
to the area. The school stirs up local creative juices with its Art
Exhibit, Northeast Mississippi Writers Forum and Creative Writing Conference.
Musically inclined students strap on their best ten-gallon hats and
perform Campus Country Shows for local residents.
Of course, the school also holds classes - on subjects ranging from
ancient history to computer science. And tuition is waived for students
65 and older.
Crow's Neck Environmental Education Center combines the pursuit of knowledge
with the outdoors. Bird-watching and other nature excursions give residents
and visitors, alike, a greater appreciation for Booneville's wonderful
natural surroundings.
You don't need to take a class to enjoy the nearby Tennessee-Tombigbee
Waterway or 8,000-acre Bay Springs Lake. Both are excellent for a little
swimming, boating or just a lazy day on the water.
And with its sweet fishing holes and great campsites, the Piney Grove
Campground is perfect for anglers who don't stop baiting hooks just
because the sun goes down.
The Natchez Trace is also an excellent way to enjoy nature. Lace up
your hiking shoes and take a stroll along its pristine trails. But don't
forget to pack some chicken and a little potato salad - the Trace is
home to some of the finest picnic spots in the world.
The preservation of local history is also very important in booneville.
You'll feel right at home in our Historic Downtown area, which boasts
many different retail service businesses. The Historic Depot has been
newly renovated and is worth a visit. In addition, the renovated GM&O
Caboose and the Cunningham House are also part of the total package.
Legend tells that the Cunningham House is where General Nathan Bedford
Forrest planned the Battle of Brice's Crossroads during the Civil War.)
Several other aspects of Booneville's history are constantly being researched
and new displays will be added to the new Booneville/Prentiss County
museum, which will be housed in the depot.
Read about what people like yourself have to say about Booneville:
Joseph and Kitty Stansifer decided to leave Georgia and make their home
in Booneville a few months ago.
Mississippi Living: How did you make the big "where to retire" decision?
The Stansifers: Kitty grew up in Mississippi and never stopped talking
about the state after she left - so I'd heard my fair share of great
things about this place. We also spent many vacations down here visiting
with her family. Mississippi already felt like home, so it really wasn't
a tough decision at all.
Mississippi Living: What do you like most about living in Mississippi?
The Stansifers: Well, with Kitty's family here, we really already had
a home in Mississippi. But we've also made plenty of new friends, and
we feel like we belong to the community.
Mississippi Living: How do you take part in the Booneville community?
The Stansifers: We experienced such a gracious welcome when we moved
to Booneville, that we always try to return the favor and give something
back to the community. We're very active in the church, the Chamber
of Commerce and the Pilot Club.
| Facts and
Figures |
| Population: |
8,625
|
| Hospital Beds: |
114
|
| Physcians: |
14
|
| Average cost of Home: |
$64,000
|
Average Cost of a New 2,000 sq. ft. Brick Home on a
half-acre lot: |
$120,000
|
| Tax on $100,000 Home with Homestead Exemption: |
(under age
65): $1,170
(65 and older): $624 |
| Places of Worship: |
40+
|
| Denominations Represented: |
13+ |
| Commercial passenger air service
is available Tupelo (30 miles south), and Memphis (100 miles
northwest). |