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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Norfolk, Mississippi
Norfolk is an unincorporated community located in Desoto County, Mississippi, United States. Norfolk Landing (also called Helm's Landing), located a short distance west of Norfolk, was the community's port on the Mississippi River.

History

Norfolk began as a steamboat landing on a plantation belonging to a man named Helms. In 1854, Norfolk was a small village.

Norfolk Landing was the first port south of the Mississippi-Tennessee border. In 1862, the newly formed Confederate States of America established a customs office there, and all passing vessels were required to stop and provide a list of cargo. Regarding this action, historian Marion Bragg wrote:

Men who had previously been neutral and disinterested in the issues which had aroused others in the North were suddenly enraged. Free navigation of the Mississippi was a natural birthright of every American, the westerners believed, and they would gladly fight to death for it. The idea of a "foreign power" dictating the terms upon which they could navigate "their river" was unthinkable.

Norfolk had a post office from 1854 to 1913.

Hernando DeSoto Park

Norfolk Landing has been converted into a 41-acre (17 ha) public park called "Hernando DeSoto Park", which features a hiking/walking trail, river overlook, picnic area, parking and boat launch. The park is the only place in DeSoto County with public access to the Mississippi River.

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Norfolk, Mississippi
  2. ^ Bragg, Marion (1977). "Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River" (PDF). Mississippi River Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2013.
  3. ^ Conclin, George (1854). Conclins' New River Guide, Or, A Gazetteer of All the Towns on the Western Waters: Containing Sketches of the Cities, Towns, and Countries Bordering on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and Their Principal Tributaries: Together with Their Population, Products, Commerce, &c., &c., &c.: and Many Interesting Events of History Connected with Them. J.A. & U.P. James. p. 94.
  4. ^ "De Soto County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  5. ^ "Hernando DeSoto Park". DeSoto County Greenways and Parks. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
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