Corinth (14,054), county seat of Alcorn County, came into being because of railroads, which also shaped the most dramatic moments of the community's history.

Settled in 1855, Corinth grew around the intersection of the Memphis & Charleston and Mobile & Ohio railroad lines. The presence of these lines made Corinth of great strategic importance during the Civil War.

One of the early major battles of the Civil War was fought in April 1862 at Shiloh in nearby Tennessee, and there were significant battles in and around Corinth throughout 1862 over control of this major Mississippi Valley transportation hub.

Driving and walking tours, and interpretive signs orient visitors not only to Corinth's Civil War sites, but also its two historic districts that contain a wealth of architectural styles and important properties from all eras of the community's history. Corinth is a Mississippi Main Street Community and a Certified Local Government. A low-interest loan program as well as tax incentives are available to assist historic rehabilitation projects in the downtown area.

Sixteen Civil War sites in the vicinity of Corinth, including well-preserved fortifications and entrenchments, were named National Historic Landmarks in 1991. To help preserve, promote, and interpret these sites, the City and County formed the Siege and Battle of Corinth Commission, which has served as a catalyst for many of the community's major preservation and tourism initiatives.

The Commission has worked to acquire significant sites, including part of a Contraband (Freeman's) Camp that will become a commemorative park. A new state-of-the art Civil War interpretive center that will tell the stories of the Battles of Shiloh and Corinth, and the Civil War in the west, is being dedicated in July 2004. The Commission has worked with more than 75 partners, and funding for these and related projects comes from a broad array of Federal, State, local, and private support.

Designated a Preserve America Community in July 2004.


For more information

Corinth Tourism Council

Corinth Alliance