July/August-09:Layout 1 - Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

SOLVE THE
MYSTERY
This town is home to a park that boasts a nice recreational walking trail. It is also home to a new town hall and many thriving businesses.
Opposite page, top, is the historic and beautiful United Methodist Church. Bottom right, Mayor Russ Espiritu and Abbie Patrick stop to
talk on a bridge in the park.
Our mystery town is located in Rankin County on Highway 18
about 20 miles south of Brandon. According to the signs you see as
you enter and exit this town, it is home to “300 friendly folks and a
couple of old soreheads.”
This town grew up around water and wood mills and agriculture.
Still today, the surrounding area boasts poultry and livestock farms
and at least one tomato farm. This town has one of the state’s few
remaining farm stores, Burnham’s Grocery and Farm Store.
This town rhymes with bucket.
Here are more clues.
SHOW TOWN
A Burnham man applied for a post office in this town in the 1800s
and asked that the town be named Burnham. Because there was
already a post office named Bornham, it was decided the town would
be named in honor of another area pioneer.
Back in those early years, during the winter months, this town was
home to traveling show people. One writer humorously called this
town “the biggest little show town in America.”
TODAY
Today, this town has approximately 354 citizens, according to the
2000 census. It boasts a new town hall and a nice park with a lighted
ballfield, playground, recreational walking trail, pavilion and splash
pad. This town has a library, volunteer fire department and police
department. It has three churches and several historic houses.
This town is proud of its high school football team, which won
the State 1A Championship title in 2008. The Wolves also won the
championship in 2002 and 2006. They were runners-up for the title
last year. There is a lot of support for this football team among
area residents.
This town is home to R-Squared, an industry that makes aluminum
radiators and employs 150 local citizens. It is also home to a bank,
two doctors, one veterinarian, one auto supply store, two auto sales
lots, one custom woodworking shop, one dentist, one home furnishing
business, an embroidery business, a farm store, two burger places,
three gas stations, a Dollar General, a home décor shop, three hair
salons, and a jewelry and clothing store.
“We have big plans for our town. We hope to one day add a
pharmacy, grocery store and restaurant,” said Mayor Russ Espiritu.
“This is a close community, and the people work together for the
2 4 M I S S I S S I P P I F A R M C O U N T R Y J U L Y / A U G U S T