James K. Polk is best known for adding large portions of land to the nation during his tenure as 11th president of the United States, but once upon a time, he owned a small parcel of land in Tunica County, Mississippi.
Locals still reference an area of land in northern Tunica County as the Polk Place, but James K. Polk was not among owners of that property. Recently discovered land records from the Chancery Clerk’s office show that on May 1, 1847, Polk purchased a section of land “lying and being in the county of Tunica and state of Mississippi.” The legal description is “Section 23 of Township 5 of Range 11 west in the Chickasaw Cessions.” That area lies in the east central section of Tunica County, not far from the Tate County line.
Land records show that Polk acquired the land from James Brown and his wife Mary A. Brown of Lafayette County, Mississippi. Polk is listed as a resident of “Washington City” while he served as U.S. President from 1845 to 1849. He paid $80 in cash for the property.

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When severe weather is looming, county residents have another way to stay ahead of the storm, thanks to a new system now in use locally.
According to Emergency Management Director Randy Stewart, Tunica County became part of a rapid alert communications system DeltAlert several months ago. Officials spent that time testing the system. Just days ago, they learned that DeltAlert had been acquired by Emergency Communications Network. That company utilizes a system called CodeRed, and all former DeltAlert customers will be transitioned into the new system. CodeRed is already being used by neighboring DeSoto County.
Stewart said the new system should be a valuable tool for Tunica County.

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Relief along Verner Road may be one step closer, after county supervisors voted March 28 to authorize a detailed site survey for one stretch where residents have repeatedly had problems with flooding.
Engineer Steve Wilson recommended to the Board that the area be ringed by a levee and drained by pumps that would take water away from homes. Wilson said this kind of project could cost $150,000 to $180,000.

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A cast of young actors will present “The Count Will Rise Again” on Friday, April 12, in the Tunica Academy gymnasium.

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