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The Heart of Pinson Located on Highway 45 South of Jackson, Tennessee, Pinson appears to be a nothing more than a wide spot on the road between Jackson and Corinth, Mississippi, the location of the Indian Mounds. It is far more than that to those of us who lived there. Although the area was settled as early as 1821, the actual town of Pinson was not established until around 1866. Surveyors including Memucan Hunt Howard and Joel Pinson were hired by Colonel Thomas Henderson to survey the area. They discovered a six or seven foot high mound and a spring, and named the spot Mount Pinson. Mount Pinson was listed as a post office of the Western District as early as 1834. The actual town of Pinson was located on what is called Bear Creek, a small stream that runs through the area. The Mobile & Ohio Railroad was built through Pinson and gave the area a chance to become a hub for shipping in south Madison County. Even later the main road through Pinson became a major U. S. highway. By 1866 the town had begun to spring up on land belonging to A. S. Rogers, and was the site of a large commissary owned by Rogers and C. H. Hearn. This was followed by a steam powered sawmill owned by Rogers and E. R. Lancaster. The Rogers and Hearn commissary provided all the necessities of life for the community of Pinson, not to mention many luxuries. Early settlers included John Croom, Rev. E. L. Fisher, Fry, C. H. Hearn, Colonel Thomas Henderson, Hudson, E. R. Lancaster, Messer, Rev. John McCoy, A. S. Rogers, and Rev. Levin Savage and their respective families. Early businesses included two dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one drug store, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one hotel, two churches, one high school, and two grist mills. The first churches included a Baptist Church while a short time later the Methodist Church was established.
School was first taught in Pinson by Reverend John McCoy in 1867, and the
official Pinson School was established in 1873 with an enrollment of one hundred.
The graduation ceremony of 1876 was a gala event of the county with a concert,
commencement exercises, a large dinner spread, and a speaker. It is estimated
that over one thousand persons attended the ceremonies. In 1905 there were ten grades,
and in 1910 Pinson School became an accredited twelve-grade high school with
seven classroom teachers and one music teacher. The Great Depression affected Pinson just as much as it did anywhere in the United States in 1933. After the worst was over, Pinson reared it's tired head and began again, only to be hit with World War II from 1941 until 1945. As the citizens of Pinson introduced to rationing and shortages, the school became the center of promotion for the sale of war bonds. Pinson saw many young men go off to the war during those years. Some did not return. Those who did return, came home with hope and courage that better times were ahead. The school remained a center for the community. Basketball games were played, school trips were taken, and life was pleasant in the small town. The Pan-Am filling station, located at the corner of Highway 45 and College Street became a hang-out for the local youth who were entertained by a juke box and pinball machine, not to mention the Moon Pie and Coca Colas. Stores on the strip of highway in the 50's included J. M.
Allen Grocery, Mrs. Pearl's Drug store, Mr. Dismuke's store, Wynn Sparks store, and W. C.
Weaver's store among others. The post office was run by Post Mistress Lerlene
Hearn. Cokes were 5 cents and were much better and colder than those
purchased today. Bologna was purchased by a thick slice or a slab and not
in the plastic packages of today. One could walk across the highway and
catch a Greyhound bus to Jackson or further, if desired. But, as
with usual improvements, changes were again on the horizon. At the heart of Pinson still stands the Pinson Artesian Well, which offers it's cool waters to any thirsty traveler who wishes to stop and taste. Those who were not lucky enough to have their own vein of artesian water bubbling from the earth have filled their containers and taken the water home to drink for many years. The Pinson Ruritan Club, recognized nationally as a community organization, rebuilt the pavilion, and maintained the well and it's premises for many years. It is currently being maintained by the Pinson Family and Community Education Club. The familiar strip of stores located on Highway 45 south of Jackson no longer exists. The highway widened from two to four lanes. The school disappeared. Children grew up and moved away hoping to find their fortunes in larger towns. The older people remained in Pinson only to leave us one by one. Many of the older homes in Pinson sport fine new facelifts. But those facelifts are only a facade for the heart of Pinson. Peak behind those doors and you will find what Pinson is all about. Love, pride, history, and memories-most of all memories. That is what those of us from the small Tennessee town learned while living there. Information for this writing was taken from: 1992 Pinson School Annual, Pinson School
1873-1992 |
And
then there was Uncle Jack!
