Clarkco State Park has been a jewel in the county for 82 years. Clarkco got its name from Clarke County and originated from land purchased from private owners for $1/acre. In addition, 80 acres of land was donated by S. B. Kirkland and I.P. Moore, both of Quitman and then 75 more acres purchased by the Park System for a total of 815 acres; 750 acres of land and a 65 acre lake for skiing, swimming and fishing.
Workers officially arrived at Clarkco on June 23, 1934 to begin plans to develop the park. The CCC Company 1437 moved from Ridgeland, South Carolina to Quitman to work for $30 a month through the Emergency Conservation Work Act that was passed in 1933. When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in January 1933 as President of the United States, one of his first actions was the passage of work relief legislation to provide jobs to millions of the unemployed in the country. The Senate Bill 598 (Emergency Conservation Work Act) passed in March 1933. The Mississippi Legislature passed a bill that provided for the use of state lands for state parks and authorized counties to purchase land for park purposes.
Quitman was one of the first to request the Civilian Conservation Corps to develop what is now known as Clarkco State Park.
Actual work began July 15, 1934 which included clearing of the lake site, building a dam and spillway, construction of ten overnight cabins, caretaker’s cabin, bathhouse and seven miles of firebreak, picnic shelters, clearing of picnic ground s and two miles of park roads. The CCC also built a bridge and provided water and electricity to all buildings.
It took four years to complete the park and was opened to the public in 1938. The CCC Company 4424 came in 1939 and completed the roads, erosion control and planted pines.
In 1980 the Lodge was built and includes the office, a banquet/meeting room, camp store and bathhouse for swimmers. There is also five miles of nature trails around the park.
Park Manager Tony Fleming has been on the job for only six weeks but is already overseeing several projects to improve Clarkco State Park.
“We are in the process of doing a lot of improvements at Clarkco,” Fleming said. “This year we added sand to the beach area for the swimmers, put down cross ties and doing a lot of landscaping and added flower beds. We have also done a lot of de limbing and plan to do it all the way around the lake.”
The Splash Pad is open daily for the kids in the county and for only $4/car, you can spend the entire day enjoying the splash pad, beach and swimming area.
Fleming said kayaking has become extremely popular at Clarkco and you can spot kayaks and fishing boats at almost any time of the day at Clarkco.
The Camp Store closed down several years ago but staffers at Clarkco are in the process of getting the store opened back up and will include lots of camping and swimming necessities, as well as drinks, ice cream, snacks and hot dogs on a rotisserie. Hunting and fishing licenses can also be purchased at the Main Lodge.
“We recently held the annual fishing rodeo for kids and it was real popular,” said Fleming. “Our goal is to hopefully offer something every month for people to come out and enjoy, whether it is rodeos, or kayak events.”
Plans are also in the future to bring back the playground equipment in Loop A of the camp sites.
Clarkco offers 43 camp sites with water, power and sewer and swimming area. There is a primitive area where as recent as last week over 30 tents were set from members of the 7th Day Adventist Church. 20 cabins stocked with linens and dishes plus one secluded cottage is available year round as well.
“Clarkco has been the place for many generations of family reunions,” Fleming said. “Right now, we have reservations into the year 2018. “Clarkco has always been a meeting point for many families and people have been returning for years to Clarkco.”
Also on the grounds are three pavilions, a boat ramp and amphitheater for Sunday morning services.
Clarkco Park used to have an entrance and exit however a bridge on the beautiful exit section was damaged when Hurricane Katrina came through the county in 2005. Fleming says hopefully that exit can be re – opened for traffic someday.
Fleming’s staff includes Rhonda Holloman, who has served as the office manager for seven years; Terry Herring, maintenance; Alena Dyess, Lisa Brownlee, Minnie Sterling, Lavester Conner, Daniel Clark and Jacob Adams.
Reservations to any of the camping or cabin sites can be made by calling Clarkco State Park at 601-776-6651; or visit their website at MDWFP.Com or Reserve America.
