 Est. 1000... |
Chickasaw Indians immigrate into north Mississippi area from northern Pacific coastal area.
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| 1541..... |
Hernando DeSoto is reputed to have travelled through the Olive Branch area in May of 1541 on his way to discovering the Mississippi River at a point near the present day town of Walls, Mississippi.
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| 1832..... |
Treaty of Pontotoc Creek forces Chickasaws to sell their land and move to the Oklahoma Territory opening the north Mississippi area to settlement.
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| 1836..... |
First settlers, Milton Blocker and Stephen Flinn, purchase 1,280 acres from Chickasaw Chief, Lush-Pun-Tubby, on the site that will eventually become City of Olive Branch.
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| 1838/42.... |
The small community becomes known as Cowpens because of pens built alongside Pigeon Roost Road to over-night livestock on their way from Holly Springs to market in Memphis.
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| 1842..... |
Townfolks change the name of the community to Watson's Crossroads in honor of the Methodist minister, Sam Watson.
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| 1846..... |
The community gets its first Post Office and changes its name to Olive Branch from the biblical story of Noah and the flood.
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| 1861/65.... |
Olive Branch escapes the ravages of the Civil War with only several minor skirmishes occurring in the area southwest of the City.
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| 1874..... |
Olive Branch is incorporated and elects its first Mayor, Ben Wesson.
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| 1875..... |
The Wesson House, home of its first Mayor, Ben Wesson, is constructed.
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| 1885..... |
Railroad from Memphis to Birmingham is built through Olive Branch, setting the City apart from other small towns in the area.
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| 1910..... |
First modern cotton gin built in Olive Branch.
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| 1922..... |
First public water system built in City.
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| 1927..... |
First public electrical service offered to City residents.
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| 1929..... |
First major industry, T.H. Norvell's cheese plant opens in Olive Branch on site of present day BanCorpSouth.
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| 1940..... |
Olive Branch's streets are paved and a public sewer system is built.
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| 1955..... |
First volunteer fire department is organized and a fire engine purchased.
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| 1958..... |
Polar Craft becomes the first major manufacturer to open in Olive Branch.
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| 1969..... |
Holiday Inn purchases 3,000 acres east of City for Industrial Park and Holiday Inn University.
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| 1972..... |
Olive Branch Airport opens.
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| 1974..... |
Highway 78, constructed to interstate standards, is built through Olive Branch.
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| 1994/97.... |
135 acre City Park is developed.
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| 1996..... |
Annexation to the west doubles land area of City.
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| 1997..... |
Olive Branch Old Towne Association is chartered and City becomes a Mississippi MainStreet.
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| 2000..... |
Walmart Super Store becomes first major chain retailer to locate in Olive Branch.
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| 2000..... |
Opening of Highway 302 Bypass radically changes traffic patterns in and around Olive Branch.
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| 2000..... |
Population tops 21,000 as Olive Branch is ranked the fastest growing city in the nation since census of 1990.
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| 2002..... |
Olive Branch starts construction on new City Hall in Old Towne area of City.
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