About Senatobia

The City of Senatobia is a thriving, bustling, growing community located only 30 minutes south of Memphis , Tennessee . Senatobia is the county seat of Tate County and is located along Interstate 55. Senatobia’s population is about 7,000 people, while Tate County has about 27,000. As our community grows, so does our reputation as a great place to live!

In Senatobia, you will find a superb quality of life with excellent public and private schools from kindergarten through the community college level; easy access to universities and continuing education; inviting, well-kept neighborhoods and affordable homes; retail shopping; recreation for the whole family; and good, solid hometown values. The quality of life in Senatobia is one of the best, complemented by a cost of living that is among the best in the nation.

Senatobia is home to the main campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College and to two excellent K-12 school systems: Senatobia Public Schools and Magnolia Heights School.

According to a published history of Tate County , the City of Senatobia was founded on two sections of land purchased in 1834 from the Chickasaw nation for $1.25 per acre. The name “Senatobia” was derived from the Indian word ” Senatohoba ,” which means “white Sycamore” and is a symbol of ” rest for the weary.” Senatobia received its charter as a municipality in 1860.

Senatobia: A Brief History

On April 13, 1834 early settler James Peters purchased two sections of land from the Chickasaw Nation for the sum of $1.25 per acre. The land purchased later became the town of Senatobia. The name Senatobia was derived from the Indian word Senatohoba, which means “White Sycamore” and is a symbol of “rest for the weary.” Charles Meriwether named Senatobia.

Senatobia was originally a rest stop on the trail leading to Hot Springs, Ark. According to legend, the Indians discovered the curative powers of the hot springs and periodically made long trips to Arkansas, stopping to rest in the area that became Senatobia. After the Tennessee and Mississippi Railroad came through in 1856, Senatobia became a railroad station. New commerce came with the railroad and Senatobia saw immediate growth.

Senatobia, the county seat for Tate County, received its charter as a municipality in 1860, thirteen years prior to the creation of Tate County and just one year before the beginning of the Civil War. During the course of the Civil War, Senatobia’s business section was burned twice by Federal Troops.

The 1880 census accounted for over fifty active businesses, a newly established newspaper and several physicians in Senatobia.

We were here in 1873 when Tate County was formed from parts of DeSoto, Marshall and Tunica Counties.

We were here in 1875 when the courthouse was built in Senatobia.

We are here today, citizens from all walks of life who are descended from our forefather pioneers in Tate County, population 21,000 plus, where we enjoy the fruits of labor of the many who have passed before us.

Senatobia is part of the territory explored by Hernando DeSoto and Spanish soldiers in 1540 in the historic State of Mississippi.

Our soils, rivers and forests were here in 1798 when Mississippi became a territory of the newly formed United States of America.

Our native American ancestors were here in 1817 when Mississippi entered the Union as the twentieth state.

We were here when DeSoto County became one of the first counties to open up to settlers.

We were here in 1861 when Mississippi was the second to secede from the Union and in 1870 when Mississippi was re-admitted to the union.

Through the years…

1874

Many wooden buildings on Main and Front Streets were destroyed by fire.

1875

The cornerstone of the Tate County Courthouse, located in downtown Senatobia, was laid on June 24.

1880

The newspaper, Tate County Record was first published, later becoming The Democrat.

1881

Senatobia had two gristmills and cotton gins, each in first class running order. Single railroad fare to Memphis was $1.55.

1882

The Senatobia town charter was misplaced. Anyone knowing of its whereabouts was asked to report the same to the mayor or aldermen. The town treasury was reported as being exhausted but out of debt.

1885

N.M. Ward of Senatobia advertised the sixteen-room Greely Hotel for sale. The hotel was reported to be located on the south end of Front Street.

1890

Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic , “a pleasant to the taste lemon syrup,” was sold by Senatobia merchants J.W. Hill & Son and by V.P. Still & Co.

1891

In October of this year, a group of 172 Confederate veterans held a reunion in Senatobia.

1892

C.C. Perkins & Co. advertised gingham dresses from 6 1/2 cents up to $1.00. “The cash goes further at C.C. Perkins & Co.”

1897

A new water system was installed replacing wells and cisterns formerly used. A power generating plant was installed in a building on North Ward Street. Lights were turned on from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and again from 5 a.m.-8 a.m.

1898

Senatobia received its first telephone system; a one-year subscription to the Senatobia Democrat cost $1.25.

1900

Senatobia’s population was 1,200. Senatobia Bank, Tate County’s longest continuously operated bank, opened on April 1, 1900.

1901

A smallpox epidemic struck Senatobia.

1903

A. L. McCormick built an Opera House on Front Street. The Opera House presented stage shows, minstrels and served as a community meeting place. Later, four-reel motion pictures were shown here.

1910

A group of Senatobia citizens asked the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to pass ordinances restricting the use of automobiles on the streets in town. Automobiles were said to be a source of danger and they frightened horses.

1912

Ice was sold from a new icehouse, which was located in an insulated warehouse on the railroad tracks in Senatobia.

1914

Senatobia’s first concrete sidewalks were built.

1915

The Tate County Agricultural High School, which later became Northwest Community College, was opened in Senatobia on Sept. 15, 1915.

1917

Senatobia’s first gas pump was installed on the southwest corner of Main and Front Streets.

1919

All vehicles in Senatobia were required to have two lights on the front and one on the rear. The speed limit was 12 miles per hour.

1920

Senatobia’s first sewer system was completed.

1926

Senatobia had 241 customers serviced by electricity.

1927

Senatobia streets were paved and the Tate County Agricultural High School expanded to include a junior college.

1928

Northwest Junior College gained accreditation; the Gloria Theatre opened on Center Street, charging 10 cents and 25 cents for admission.

1930

Senatobia had a population of 1,264.

1932

Senatobia Bank and Peoples Bank kept their doors open during the great depression while many others closed permanently.

1936

Highway 51 was paved.

1938

A new Senatobia high school was completed.

1939

Senatobia extended its city limits, almost doubling its population.

1941

Dial telephone service was installed.

1949

Senatobia’s first traffic light was installed at Hwy. 51 and Main Street costing $400.

1950

Senatobia’s population was 2,108 and the Senatobia Public Library opened.

1954

Senatobia’s first manufacturing plant, the William Carter Company, opened.

1955

Senatobia Chamber of Commerce was organized.

1961

Chromcraft, the largest manufacturer in Tate County, opened its Senatobia facility.

1962

Interstate 55 opened, connecting the state of Mississippi with points north.

1976

Senatobia Community Hospital, later renamed North Oaks Regional Medical Center, admitted its first patient.

1978

Baddour Memorial Center, a residential facility for adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, opened.

2000

Senatobia’s population was 6,682.

2006

Senatobia’s second interchange off I-55 was opened.