Mississippi Highway 397 marker

Mississippi Highway 397

Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length33.564 mi[1] (54.016 km)
Existed1957–present
Major junctions
South end MS 16 near De Kalb
Major intersections MS 21 in Preston
North end MS 14 in Louisville
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMississippi
CountiesKemper, Winston
Highway system
← MS 395→ MS 403

Mississippi Highway 397 (MS 397) is a 33+1⁄2-mile-long (53.9 km) state highway in eastern Mississippi. Running generally in a southeast to northwest direction, it is signed north--south traveling from the De Kalb vicinity at MS 16 to Louisville at MS 14.

Route description

The state highway begins west of De Kalb along MS 16. MS 397 heads northwest through barren forest land as a two-lane 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) speed limit highway. First, an access road to Kemper Lake intersects the highway, later Sinai Road branches off the highway providing access to a small settlement. Continuing northwest, MS 397 intersects the northern end of unsigned MS 493 and a second access road to Kemper Lake. About 0.9 miles (1.4 km) later, it reaches the northern terminus of MS 495. Then about 1+1⁄4 miles (2.0 km) after that, MS 397 reaches the settlement of Preston which has an intersection with MS 21, some houses, and a pair of stores.[2]

To the north of Preston, MS 397 heads through more woodlands, though as it approaches the Winston County line, some open fields appear along the road. After entering Winston County, MS 397 heads northwest through a mix of woods and fields. The highway passes Nanih Waiya High School, and a small traveler stop. MS 397 reaches an intersection with MS 490 and the two highways run concurrent for about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the west. At the settlement of Vernon, MS 490 breaks off to head southwest while MS 397 continues northwest. It passes more woodlands and field mix as well as a hunting lodge and lake. As it enters the city of Louisville, the road name officially becomes E John C. Stennis Drive. It passes a few clusters of houses, a cemetery, and small businesses. MS 397 curves to the due west, crosses S Columbus Avenue, and becomes W John C. Stennis Drive for the next block. At the next intersection, S Church Avenue, MS 397 turns north onto it through Louisville's central business district. The highway ends at MS 14 which carries Main Street in the city.[2]

History

A state highway connecting De Kalb and Louisville had existed since 1940.[3][4] By 1950, with the portion of the road in Winton County being fully paved, was given the designation of MS 397.[5][6] The remaining portion of MS 397 was paved by 1955.[7][8]

Major intersections

CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Kemper​0.0000.000 MS 16 – De Kalb, PhiladelphiaSouthern terminus; to John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital
Lynville8.79214.149MS 493 south – Joe W. Williams FieldNorthern terminus of MS 493
​9.70215.614
 MS 495 south / Nell Burnett Road		Northern terminus of MS 495
Preston10.93717.601 MS 21 – Philadelphia, Shuqualak
Winston​20.03132.237
 MS 490 east – Mashulaville		Southern end of MS 490 concurrency
Vernon20.84833.552
 MS 490 west – Noxapater, Nanih Waiya State Park		Northern end of MS 490 concurrency
Louisville33.56454.016 MS 14 / North Church Avenue – Kosciusko, MaconNorthern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. 1 2 "MS Highways". Mississippi Geospatial Data Catalog. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Google (October 20, 2021). "Mississippi Highway 397" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Commission (July 1939). Official Highway Map State of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Commission. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  4. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Department (1940). Road Map of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Department. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  5. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Commission (1949). Official Road Map State of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Commission. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Commission (1950). Official Road Map State of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Commission. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Commission (1953). Official Road Map State of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Commission. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  8. ↑ Mississippi State Highway Commission (1955). Official Road Map State of Mississippi (PDF) (Map). Jackson: Mississippi State Highway Commission. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
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