The Longleaf Trace runs through Carson to Prentiss; Lake Jeff Davis and the educational history of Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute add to the picture of Jefferson Davis County. This makes it possible to focus on three distinct experiences: outdoor activity, time by the water, and historical context.
Longleaf Trace: a versatile route
The Longleaf Trace is 44 miles long and runs through Carson to Prentiss in Jefferson Davis County. It is 10 feet wide and paved; activities include running, cycling, hiking, and horseback riding. With its total length, paved surface, and four types of activities, it is a distinctive outdoor highlight. When planning, you can first decide whether to focus on the Trace or instead on the lake and history.
Lake Jeff Davis and the landscape
Lake Jeff Davis is designated as a State Fishing Lake covering 100 acres and is operated by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The lake has a public boat launch and a nature trail. There are also 13 campsites with electricity and water hookups. The lake offers a different focus from the Longleaf Trace: fishing waters, a boat launch, a nature trail, and camping shape the options for visitors here, while a paved route with four types of activities takes center stage on the Trace.
Pine forests stretch across the hills and rural landscapes of Jefferson Davis County. This scenery complements the specific offerings at the lake and along the trail and forms a distinct aspect of the destination. In this way, the connection with nature includes not only individual activities but also the county’s rural surroundings.
Educational history and historic sites
Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute was founded in Jefferson Davis County in June 1907 by Jonas Edward Johnson and Bertha LaBranche Johnson. During segregation, the institution aimed to provide African American students with academic and practical education. The 1907 House is the institute’s founding site. The founding date, founders, and educational mission are all part of a connected history.
Another historic point of interest is the John Fielding Holloway House in the once-thriving settlement of Mount Carmel. Dating to around 1873, the house is the only surviving 19th-century building in the settlement.
The historic connections highlight different aspects: the institute’s story centers on its founding, founders, and educational mission; the John Fielding Holloway House is about the surviving building of a once-thriving settlement. This lets you distinguish between institutional history and architectural heritage.
Practical visit planning
The A.F. Carraway Store welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day of the week is therefore a factor when planning this visit; check the hours before you arrive.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Prentiss, Carson, Forrest County, Simpson County, George County, Harrison, Coahoma County, Marshall.
For the broader travel overview: Mississippi.
