Discover Pearl River County

Pearl River County combines nature experiences with a locally rooted history reflected in its landscapes, railroad heritage, and museums. For planning your trip, it helps to make a simple distinction: are you more interested in observing plants and exploring the Pearl River, or in the history of Picayune? The following places offer different perspectives on the county.

Plants at the Crosby Arboretum

The Crosby Arboretum’s 104-acre Native Plant Center includes the Pinecote Pavilion and Piney Woods Lake. The Pitcher Plant Bog offers another perspective: a boardwalk leads through the area, allowing visitors to observe carnivorous plants and seasonal wildflowers. Thus, the arboretum features both named landscape elements and a specific place for observation. Its plant life ranges from carnivorous species to wildflowers whose appearance depends on the season.

On the Pearl River: Walkiah Bluff

Walkiah Bluff is an 18-acre park on the Pearl River in Pearl River County. Its facilities include a boat launch, picnic tables, and twelve RV sites. Each site has a water and electrical hookup. This gives the park a different focus from the arboretum: here, the riverside setting and park facilities shape the visit, while the boardwalk and plant observation take center stage at the Crosby Arboretum. So, if you’re choosing between the two nature destinations, you can base your decision on their different themes and facilities.

Railroad history and historic buildings

The Shay Engine is located in Picayune’s Railroad Park. Lima Locomotive Works, Inc. assembled the locomotive in 1925; it served the Batson-Megehee Lumber Company in Millard, Pearl River County. The year and company name give the railroad history a concrete connection to the local timber industry. The Lower Pearl River Valley Transportation Museum complements this by presenting the history of Picayune and the city’s development around the railroad. The story ranges from a specific machine and its operational context to a broader account of the city’s history.

The Shaw Homestead offers another way to explore history. The homestead dates to the late 19th century and includes a single-story dogtrot house built of logs. Its surviving buildings have been preserved and restored to create a place for learning about the history of homestead life in southern Mississippi. Here, the focus is on the building style and the history of living on a homestead, rather than on the development of the railroad.

Museums covering different topics

The Pearl River County Historical Society Museum is on the third floor of the Old City Hall. The Picayune Carver Culture Center focuses on African American history. Its exhibition topics include George Washington Carver High School, the achievements of African Americans in Picayune, and African American history in general. These topics connect a specific school and city to a broader historical perspective.

The Teddy Bear House Museum displays more than 15,000 teddy bears. Its facilities also include an ice cream parlor, a café, and indoor play areas. This makes it distinct in theme from museums focused on the history of the city, the railroad, and African Americans. As the collection and facilities may change, check the latest information before visiting.

Blueberries at the Blueberry Jubilee

The Blueberry Jubilee offers blueberries and blueberry products to sample. The festival adds a distinctive experience alongside nature and history. If you’d like to include the Blueberry Jubilee in your trip plans, check the event dates and current program in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Picayune, Jackson County, Kemper County, Forrest County, Stone County, Copiah County, Tate County, Jefferson Davis.

For the broader travel overview: Mississippi.