Perkinston is an unincorporated community in central Stone County, Mississippi, United States.[2] It is situated along U.S. Highway 49, approximately five miles south of Wiggins. The community is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Perkinston, Mississippi | |
---|---|
Unincorporated community | |
![]() The main campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is located in Perkinston, Mississippi | |
![]() ![]() Perkinston, Mississippi ![]() ![]() Perkinston, Mississippi | |
Coordinates: 30°46′56″N 89°8′17″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Mississippi |
County | Stone |
Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Area code | Area code 601 |
GNIS feature ID | 675617[1] |
Established in 1880, Perkinston is the oldest settlement in Stone County.[3] The village is named for John C. Perkins (1840–1928), who homesteaded the area after serving in the Confederate Army.[4]
Abundant forests established timber and turpentine production as early industries.[5]
The Perkinston community benefited from the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad, which was constructed through the village in the late 1890s. Beginning in 1911, Perkinston served mainly as a campus for the Harrison County Agricultural High School, which developed into Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.[6] Through time, the village had few commercial establishments, but did have a post office, general store, churches, and a gasoline service station.[7]
The WLOX TV Tower in Perkinston, a 1,319 ft (402 m) guyed mast tower, is listed as one of the tallest structures in the United States by height.
In 2005, a 250-acre (100 ha) ATV park opened west of Perkinston.[8]
Municipalities and communities of Stone County, Mississippi, United States | ||
---|---|---|
County seat: Wiggins | ||
City | ![]() | |
CDP | ||
Other communities | ||
|