LINCOLN COUNTY, MS
County Offices
301 South First Street
Brookhaven 601-835-3412
Chamber of Commerce
230 S. Whitworth Avenue
Brookhaven 601-833-1411
http://brookhavenchamber.org
Home to thriving businesses and industries, Lincoln County draws newcomers to a primarily rural atmosphere where the City of Brookhaven plays a leading role as the only incorporated municipality. Brookhaven has developed an alliance with Lincoln County to promote further economic development in southwestern Mississippi—efforts that have already resulted in a new 400-acre business park on the northern edge of Brookhaven. The presence of Interstate 55, along with US Highways 51 and 84, ensures quick and easy commute to regional destinations for expanded urban amenities.
Services
King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven anchors the local network of healthcare services and facilities for Lincoln County residents. With a history of continual improvements, expansions and upgrades, the facility most recently underwent a total $11 million renovation. The investment in technological advancements even extends to wireless computer access for patient use and a computer area for patient families. A full range of inpatient and outpatient medical and therapeutic services are available from family practice and general surgery to a long list of specialties and educational programs from fitness to nutrition. Beacham Memorial Hospital in nearby Pike County also serves Lincoln County residents. Should the need arise for highly advanced care, Jackson is home to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, combining teaching hospitals with a comprehensive health system. The 772-bed hospital serves as a diagnostic and treatment referral center for the entire state in a system that includes Mississippi’s only Level I Trauma Center, Winfred L. Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants, Batson Children’s Hospital, Wallace Conerly Hospital for Critical Care, and Jackson Medical Mall.
Educational opportunities are outstanding in and near Lincoln County, beginning with a public school system that is strongly supported by local civic and business leaders. Successful bond issues continue to expand and improve campus facilities. Parents who are interested in an alternative learning environment will want to explore the private school of Brookhaven Academy. Lincoln County is the proud home of the Mississippi School of the Arts, a residential high school for artistically gifted students from across the state. Offering advanced programs in vocal music, theatre, visual arts, dance, and literary art, MSA partners with Brookhaven School District to expand its course offerings and with the local community college for dual enrollment opportunities. Higher education is available close to home at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson and Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit. Both community colleges provide two-year transfer degrees and a wide selection of career and skills-training degree and certification programs. University campuses in southern and central Mississippi include the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and Jackson State University in Jackson. The latter maintains an urban campus in the capital city and is the fourth largest institution of higher learning in Mississippi with an enrollment of nearly 9,000.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Lincoln County will discover a pleasing blend of country charm and convenient amenities along with premier sites for outdoor enjoyment and recreation. Lake Lincoln State Park and Percy Quin State Park are just minutes from downtown Brookhaven, drawing residents and visitors to picturesque landscapes for boating, water sports, camping, hiking, and cycling. Protected wildlife management areas combine with a number of private hunting preserves to attract sports enthusiasts from across the nation. Golfers will find several courses in and near the county including upscale country clubs. Local parks are popular gathering places for picnics, parties, events, or just weekend relaxation. Bicentennial Park in Brookhaven features a new state-of-the-art playground, while Bogue Chitto Water Park offers water sports, picnic areas, campsites, and cabins. An active parks and recreation program supervises activities from karate and gymnastics to adult computer classes, along with intermural sports for adults and youth. Those who enjoy competitive events will want to cheer on the local college teams or attend the livestock shows and rodeos at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Multi-Use Facility.
Unlike many rural areas, Lincoln County offers a wonderful selection of opportunities for cultural enrichment, enhanced by public performances and visual art exhibits in Whitman Auditorium at the Mississippi School of the Arts. Copiah Lincoln Community College hosts a Community Arts Series that brings in nationally famous musical talent. The Brookhaven Trust for the Preservation of History, Culture and the Arts partners with social and civic organizations to underwrite lectures and performances. Even the Brookhaven Library has an exhibition space for local and regional art shows. Brookhaven is also home to the state’s longest-running community theater. Annual celebrations, seasonal events, beauty pageants, and colorful festivals keep the calendar filled with events that bring friends, family, and neighbors together. The Tour of Homes and Gardens is a local favorite, alternating between spring and holiday dates to showcase residences of distinction. Mississippi’s premier family event, Ole Brook Festival in historic downtown Brookhaven, fills the streets with hundreds of vendors for arts and crafts and delicious food along with a kid’s zone and youth challenge zone. Other highlights of life in Lincoln County include historic preservation in sites and museums, antique shopping in Brookhaven’s charming downtown, and the convenience of major retailers and contemporary services close to home. Those who appreciate small-town pleasures and an intimate community atmosphere in commuting distance from urban amenities may find an idyllic home in Lincoln County.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Bogue Chitto
County Offices
601-835-3412
Chamber of Commerce
601-833-1411
http://brookhavenchamber.org
The unincorporated community of Bogue Chitto is home to just a few hundred people who enjoy the relaxed pace, serenity and natural beauty of a rural community. The local attraction of Bogue Chitto Water Park is located on a 230-acre wildlife refuge that includes the scenic Bogue Chitto River. Visitors enjoy a boat ramp, campsite, cabin rentals, hiking on picturesque trails, and floating down the river. With sections of mild rapids and gentle flows, the Bogue Chitto River is a regional destination for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Newcomers can choose from homes in established neighborhoods, country manors set back on sweeping lots, or abundant acreage for new custom builds. Brookhaven provides commercial conveniences, a local hospital, a college campus, and cultural enrichment. The world-class cultural and entertainment attractions in Jackson are just 90 minutes away and legendary New Orleans is a two-hour drive.
Brookhaven
City Offices
601-833-1414
https://brookhaven-ms.gov
Chamber of Commerce
601-833-1411
http://brookhavenchamber.org
The county seat of Brookhaven is synonymous with Lincoln County in many respects, sharing a regional chamber of commerce and home to nearly every developed attraction and amenity in the area. The city features a charming historic downtown district, several museums and treasured historic sites, King’s Daughters Medical Center for local healthcare services, the private school of Brookhaven Academy, and Copiah Lincoln Community College. One of Mississippi’s finest assets, the Mississippi School of the Arts, is not only an educational resource but a focal point of cultural enrichment. Local arts organizations, a symphonic group, a wonderful community theater organization, community college events, and a calendar filled with celebratory or competitive events keep the atmosphere lively. State parks and local recreational programs ensure year-round outdoor enjoyment, from golfing and tennis to sports play, hiking, cycling, camping, water sports, hunting, or nature study.
