Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc.

Purpose of Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. is to provide civic, economic and community development for the city of Okolona, MS and the surrounding area. The intention is to enhance all aspects of community life through volunteer sponsored programs.

Contributions for any organizations associated with Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. are tax-deductible and may be made payable to CREATE Foundation, POB 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802. Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. is a Special Project with CREATE, our regional non-profit organization, www.createfoundation.com.

SAVE OKOLONA SOCIETY

Purpose of Save Okolona Society is to encourage the rehabilitation of historical homes and buildings in Okolona.

The start of Save Okolona Society (S.O.S.):

Inspired by Elaine Hancock's beautiful restoration of the Merle Graham home in Okolona, a group of Okolona residents met in the Chamber of Commerce office last December of 2002 to ponder ways and means to salvage other old homes in Okolona. Mr. Sam Kaye, an architect from Columbus, explained tax benefits available and suggested a plan implemented by some of the Columbus residents might work very well in Okolona. Gary Carnathan, a Tupelo attorney who is restoring the old Elliot Donaldson home, and is planning to live in Okolona, gave further information adding to the feasibility of adapting a definite program for saving Okolona's historical homes. Enough enthusiasm was generated among the eleven residents present to schedule a second meeting for more definitive planning.

This second meeting was held January 28th in Elaine Graham Hancock's restored home on Prairie Street and was an open invitation to all interested residents. About thirty people attended. Sam Kaye and Gary Carnathan reiterated tax benefit information. Mayor Sherman Carouthers described his experiences in restoring the old Whiteside house on Jefferson Street. Patsy Gregory gave demographic figures for the city of Okolona showing 883 homeowners in Okolona and 1593 homeowners in the Judicial District.

A Questionnaire Committee was named to formulate a Questionnaire to be mailed to all Okolona residents and past residents to determine the extent of overall interest in trying to SAVE OKOLONA's beautiful old homes. This Questionnaire will be mailed out during the month of February, and the results tallied by the scheduled next meeting of interested people. This meeting will be held in Elaine Graham Hancock's home on Prairie Street on Tuesday, March 25th, at 1:00 P.M.

The above article was written by Idanelle Stone Paternostro, chairperson of S.O.S., 1/28/2003

Testimonials from some of our many proud Okolona residents:

After living in Cleveland, Ohio most of our lives, my husband and I were looking for a small town with a "Mayberry" atmosphere to raise our boys and a historic home to restore. We found both in Okolona.

We discovered our house on the Internet and fell in love with its character and that of the downtown area when we first visited. To find such a grand house within walking distance to downtown was ideal and we knew we wanted to make this our home. We have met a lot of wonderful people, who have welcomed us to the community and enjoy their Southern hospitality. We have learned when driving through town to keep one eye on the road and the other on the passerby because you might miss someone waving to you!

We're proud to be active members of the community and encourage everyone to visit to see why we're happy to call Okolona our home.

The Loudermill Family

Rick and I had bought 66 acres in Wren on which we had planned to build a house, a barn for the horses, and a kennel for our dogs. After purchasing the property, we decided that we just did not want to go through the hassle of building another house. I looked at homes in Amory but could not find anything that I really liked. I was going to be gone for six weeks and Rick gave me two weeks to find a house and get moved before I left for Germany.

We had passed through Okolona numerous times and I always said that I would never move here. Even though Okolona is close to Tupelo, there are just too many vacant houses just falling down. It just amazed me to see big, medium, and small houses just caving in on pretty tree shaded lots. I wondered what kind of people must live here that had no pride in their community.

Every time we past through, I would look over at the white house on the corner of Prairie and Monroe that someone was renovating. Then I saw the pre- civil war house across from the Dollar Store being renovated. One day I drove down Main Street and turned at S. Olive Street to get back on Monroe and I saw Houston Minniece's sign on this white framed cottage with a large tree shaded lot. We have been here nearly a year and have met some of the nicest people that one could ever hope to meet. We really feel at home here.

Rick and Martha Sinquefield

Our move to Okolona was a very positive decision for our family. I spent almost every summer of my childhood here in Okolona with my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.John Stone Sr., and now the rest of my family is here also. When we realized that our jobs permitted us to live where we wanted, we made the choice to live in Okolona. We are able to spend time with family and our adult children love coming here for vacations. I do travel quite a bit, but coming home to Okolona is very calming. This community brings a sense of belonging, a connection to the past, and opportunities for the future.

Susan Schultz

Are you an Okolona area resident or a concerned citizen seeking ways to contribute to restoring Okolona's historic homes?

If so, you may want to contact the Chamber about a Save Okolona Society membership.

Through S.O.S., you can become directly involved in helping Okolona, either by giving a financial donation or contributing time and effort to making a difference in the community.

The Save Okolona Society is a member of Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. Donations for Save Okolona Society should be made payable to: Okolona Development Foundation Charities. All donations are tax deductible.

Contact the Chamber today for an S.O.S. questionnaire/application. Or contact any friends or relatives who once lived in Okolona who would be interested in hearing about this project. You can also contact us with names and addresses, and we can mail a questionnaire.

OKOLONA BATTLEFIELD

At this time, Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. owns 270 acres of Civil War Battle of Okolona property in two locations. One is north of Okolona between US Highway 245 North and US Highway 41 North and the other is located at 6 miles north of Okolona on US Highway 41 North.
 

OKOLONA MEMORIAL STADIUM

FRIENDS OF CHANDLER HOUSE

Okolona Development Foundation Charities, Inc. owns the Chandler house and has plans for renovation. The home has been listed on MS Heritage Trust Program's "2007 Mississippi's Ten Most Endangered Historic Places". Efforts are underway to renovate the home through fundraising, contributions and grants. For more information, go to http://www.mississippiheritage.com/list07.html.