History
How Lucedale came to be
The story of Lucedale, MS and George County: timber, turpentine, a railroad and a whole lot of determination. Every fact below links to its source.
1889
Gregory M. Luce arrives
Gregory M. Luce of Grand Rapids, Michigan arrives with his wife Sarah, son Jex and $20,000 to invest in lumber and turpentine. K-C Lumber Co. follows.
Source: Century Bank
1901
Town of Lucedale incorporated
In June 1901 Gov. A. H. Longino incorporates the Town of Lucedale with 332 inhabitants. Dr. W.B. Brewton is the first mayor, and the aldermen first meet on June 20, 1901.
Source: City of Lucedale
1903
Bank of Lucedale opens
In June 1903 Luce opens the Bank of Lucedale at Main and Mill Streets, today's Century Bank.
Source: Century Bank
Early 1900s
The railroad
Luce acquired the A&M railroad, later the Mississippi Export Railroad, which carried timber and later steel and aggregates.
Source: WKRG
1910
George County is created
On March 16, 1910, George County is created from Jackson and Greene counties, named for U.S. Sen. James Z. George. Population 6,599. 96% of farm workers owned their land, the highest rate in the state.
Source: Mississippi Encyclopedia
1953
Palestine Gardens begins
Rev. Walter Harvell Jackson begins Palestine Gardens (originally "Palestinian Gardens"), a scale Holy Land where 1 yard equals 1 mile. It opened in 1960.
Note: A 1994 rename by Don Bradley appears only in a search summary and is unverified.
Source: MS Gulf Coast Heritage
Today
Proposed Lake George
The Pat Harrison Waterway District proposed Lake George drought-resiliency reservoirs in southeast George County. Current status is uncertain.
Note: Status uncertain.
2026
Mississippi 250, Lucedale 125
The "Mississippi 250, Lucedale 125" pilgrimage is held May 9, 2026.
Source: City of Lucedale events
Lucedale and George County notables include author Carolyn Haines and NFL receiver Eric Moulds (Mississippi Encyclopedia).
The documentary
You Can Always Come Home: The Story of Lucedale, Mississippi
A film by Forrest Creates about the people and places that make Lucedale home.
See it for yourself
Places to visit
Palestine Gardens
A scale model of the Holy Land begun in 1953 by Rev. Walter Harvell Jackson, where one yard equals one mile. Opened in 1960.
Courthouse Square
The heart of George County, home to the courthouse memorial and the Saturday Farmers Market in season.
Main Street
Historic downtown shops, Second Saturday, parades and the bank Luce opened at Main and Mill in 1903.
