Leland, Washington County, Mississippi 1891
Leland is situated east from Greenville about ten miles, on the banks of Deer
creek, and has a population of six hundred. The main line of the Louisville, New
Orleans & Texas railway passes through Leland, which is also the diverging point
for the Greenville, Arkansas City, Lake Washington and Bolivar Loop branches of
that road, while the Georgia Pacific railway crosses the main line one half mile
from the town. Leland is surrounded by a well -settled and rich cotton and corn
growing section. Within the past few years some twenty thousand acres have been
put into cultivation near Leland. Leland is substantially built of brick and
presents a fine appearance. The merchants carry large stocks and are doing a
prosperous business, while not less than ten thousand bales of cotton are
handled. The annual business of the town will aggregate fully $1,000,000. The
Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railway company has erected there one of the
finest hotel buildings in the state, having accommodations for over one hundred
guests, which station at Clarksdale, conceded to be one of the finest, was
opened by Mr. Blake in 1887.
A large sawmill, a large stove factory and two gins are in operation at Leland,
and not less than thirty-two business houses, representing every line of trade.
There are two handsome, well equipped schoolhouses, affording excellent
educational facilities for both races. Three good church buildings have been
erected, while several secret societies are represented by flourishing lodges
and well appointed halls.
The streets are wide, graded, and good sidewalks have been put down and
improvements of a substantial character are visible on every hand.
Leland is the end of two divisions of the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas
railway, and that company has large workshops and lumber yards there, employing
a large force of men. Capt. J. A. V. Feltus, the father of Leland, founded the
town in 1884, having ever fostered its interests to the extent of his by no
means limited ability.
Back to: Mississippi Counties, Cities and Towns, 1891
Source: Biographical and Historical Memories of Mississippi, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891
