Richland is an unincorporated community in Holmes County, Mississippi, located approximately 4 mi northwest of Goodman and approximately 7 mi north of Pickens.

History

Richland was founded on February 9, 1842. By 1900, the hamlet was home to a church and academy. The Richland Male and Female Academy was opened prior to 1839 and was superseded by the Eureka Masonic College in 1848. The academy could accommodate 130 pupils.

Eureka Masonic College

Historic Eureka Masonic College, birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES), is located along Highway 17 in Richland. The historic schoolhouse has also housed Masons and Company C, 15th Mississippi Infantry, of the Confederate States Army, during the American Civil War.

1st Mississippi Cavalry

The 1st Mississippi Cavalry, of the Confederate States Army, was presented with its regimental colors on September 12, 1863, a gift of the ladies of Richland. ". . . The ladies at Richland, a little village near where we are camped, sent us a very nice battle flag yesterday. It is the first flag we have ever had. It is a blue flag with a red cross extending clear across the flag from the four corners, with white stars in the cross, and a yellow border all round it. It makes a very pretty appearance. . .."

• Lieut.–Col. Frank A. Montgomery

Notable people

Blues musician Elmore James was born in Richland on January 27, 1918.