Wahalak, Mississippi

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Wahalak (reputedly old Choctaw language, meaning "running water") is a small hamlet located in Kemper County, Mississippi, and is home to over 50 people and 14 dogs. It is best known as the temporary hideout of fugitive Kenny Wagner, who was on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in the 1950's.

Initially located beside Wahalak Creek (several miles east of its current location), the entire town moved when U.S. railroad lines expanded through Kemper County. A train depot and post office were established, and passenger trains including the Doodlebug and the Rebel made it possible to travel directly from Wahalak to places as far away as Memphis, Tennessee and Mobile, Alabama.

The population declined after the discontinuation of passenger train service in the 1950s. The last Postmistress was Allene Bruton, who also ran a small general store. Today Wahalak has two churches and one restaurant.

Wahalak is remote even by Kemper County standards, being in the near-geographic center of Meridian, Mississippi and Columbus, Mississippi. The nearest theatres or shopping malls are more than 45 miles away. The nearest soda machine from Wahalak, located in the comparatively metropolitan area of Scooba, is 7 miles away.