Suqualena, Mississippi Explained

Official Name:Suqualena, Mississippi
Pushpin Map:Mississippi#USA
Pushpin Label:Suqualena
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Mississippi
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Lauderdale
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:397
Coordinates:32.4433°N -88.8264°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Area Code:601
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:678439

Suqualena, also spelled Sookalena, is an unincorporated community located in central Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States, located approximately 9miles northwest of Meridian on Mississippi Highway 494 and is part of Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Suqualena is named after Suqualena Creek, which is derived from the Choctaw language words meaning either "creek on whose banks are camps" or "poor hog".[1] The community had a depot on the Meridian and Memphis Railway.[2]

In 1921, Suqualena was served by a two-year school.[3]

Suqualena was once home to a 675-acre plantation.[4]

A post office operated under the name Sookalena from 1851 to 1860.[5]

Suqualena is served by the Suqualena Volunteer Fire Department.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Baca, Keith A.. Native American Place Names in Mississippi. 2007. University Press of Mississippi. 978-1-60473-483-6. 99.
  2. Web site: Howe . Tony . Meridian & Memphis Railway . Mississippi Rails . August 2, 2023.
  3. Book: Biennial Report and Recommendations of the State Superintendent of Public Education . 1921 . State of Mississippi . Jackson, Mississippi . 32 .
  4. Book: Davidson . June Davis . Putnam . Richelle . Legendary Locals of Meridian . 2013 . Arcadia Publishing . Charleston, South Carolina . 978-1-4671-0079-3 . 7 .
  5. Web site: Lauderdale County . Jim Forte Postal History . August 2, 2023.
  6. News: First Responders: Shelton Family . August 2, 2023 . WTOK . June 21, 2020.