Scott County: Water, Railways and Forests

Scott County offers a range of themes for a trip: water, railway history and forests. Beaver Lake was created during the period when timber was being harvested for the railroad; historic structures tell the story of the railroad’s role in Lake and of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Then there is the Shockaloe Trail in Bienville National Forest. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, consider whether fishing, historic architecture or a focus on trails should shape your trip most.

Comparing Beaver Lake and Shadow Lake

The man-made Beaver Lake covers 67 acres. It was created during logging for the railroad, connecting a distinctive landscape with the region’s railway history. The lake offers excellent opportunities for fishing from small boats. This is a specific focus for anyone who would also like to plan their trip around activities on the water.

The 150-acre Shadow Lake is part of Roosevelt State Park. By area, it is more than twice the size of Beaver Lake. The two bodies of water can therefore be distinguished by their size, while Beaver Lake also has its own historical dimension, having been created during the period of railroad logging. Water here is therefore more than a scenic backdrop; it also raises questions about how places and their surroundings came to be.

Railway History and Distinctive Structures

The Alabama & Vicksburg Railroad Depot, also known as the Lake Depot, was built around 1890 in Lake, Scott County. It is considered the only known surviving example of a railroad depot in the Queen Anne style in Mississippi. It also represents the railroad responsible for the founding and development of the town of Lake. The Lake Depot thus brings together two points of interest: its distinctive architectural classification and the railroad’s role in the town’s history. If you like to consider historic buildings in terms of their significance to a town, this connection offers a specific point of interest.

The Moore Lookout Tower is another historical highlight. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the tower in 1940. A National Register nomination describes it as a rare, possibly unique example of a fire lookout tower of this design. The nomination identifies the tower as the only known surviving example of this type of tower in Mississippi. The years refer to different things: 1940 marks its construction, while 1990 is the date of the survey on which this historical assessment is based.

The Shockaloe Trail and Choosing Your Trip’s Focus

The Shockaloe Trail is in Bienville National Forest, between Forest and Morton, north of U.S. Highway 80. It is listed in the National Register of Trails. These location details provide specific guidance for planning your trip: the trail lies between the two named towns and north of the highway. Check access details before setting out.

The Shockaloe Horse Trail has two base camps. Since camping conditions can change, check them before making plans. So, alongside water and history, a trail and its base camps offer another distinct aspect of a trip, without every travel companion needing to have the same interests.

When looking for a vacation rental, your preferred focus can help you decide: perhaps you want to make fishing from small boats the centerpiece of your trip, or perhaps you’re more interested in Lake’s railway history or the Shockaloe Trail in Bienville National Forest. Focus your search on the themes that fit your travel plans, and include the rental’s specific location in your decision. That way, you can choose Scott County based on the experiences that appeal to you most, rather than limiting your trip to a single type of outing.

Discover more destinations: Monroe County, Copiah County, Smith County, Attala County, Tunica, Tate County.

For the broader travel guide: Mississippi.