Sparta, Mississippi
Encyclopedia
Sparta is a small unincorporated community
in Chickasaw County
, Mississippi
, United States
, in the northeastern part of the state.
A fictionalized Sparta was featured in the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night and the television series
in the 1980s and '90s. This fictional version of Sparta differs geographically from the real Sparta in several ways. The fictional version was shown as being across the river from Arkansas
and adjacent to Interstate 20
, but the real Sparta is nowhere near any interstate highway or state boundary. (The real I-20 also crosses the Mississippi at Vicksburg
from Louisiana
, not Arkansas; the only sizeable Mississippi city near Arkansas, Greenville
, has a bridge but no interstate, though future I-69
will run nearby.) The film was actually made in Sparta, Illinois
while most seasons of the television series were filmed in Covington, Georgia
, east of Atlanta (and near the real I-20).
Most of the first season of the TV Series as well as the intro sequence with the Chief sitting at the railroad crossing was filmed in Hammond, Louisiana
. Some of the features of this town that can be recognized are:
To see some of the features of Hammond that were included in this seasons, use Google Maps and enter "W Thomas and South Cate St Hammond LA" Most of the scenes are in a 4 block radius from that intersection.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Chickasaw County
Chickasaw County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:* Natchez Trace Parkway * Tombigbee National Forest -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,440 people, 7,253 households, and 5,287 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 7,981 housing units at an...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, in the northeastern part of the state.
A fictionalized Sparta was featured in the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night and the television series
In the Heat of the Night (TV series)
In the Heat of the Night is a television series based on the motion picture and novel of the same name. It was broadcast on NBC from 1988 until 1992, and then on CBS until 1995...
in the 1980s and '90s. This fictional version of Sparta differs geographically from the real Sparta in several ways. The fictional version was shown as being across the river from Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and adjacent to Interstate 20
Interstate 20 in Mississippi
Interstate 20 is a major thoroughfare through central Mississippi, connecting the area with major metropolitan areas, including Dallas, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama.-Route description:...
, but the real Sparta is nowhere near any interstate highway or state boundary. (The real I-20 also crosses the Mississippi at Vicksburg
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
from Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, not Arkansas; the only sizeable Mississippi city near Arkansas, Greenville
Greenville, Mississippi
Greenville is a city in Washington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 48,633 at the 2000 census, but according to the 2009 census bureau estimates, it has since declined to 42,764, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Washington...
, has a bridge but no interstate, though future I-69
Interstate 69 in Mississippi
The proposed Interstate 69 extension from Indianapolis southwest to Texas presently has a short piece completed in the U.S. state of Mississippi, south of Memphis, Tennessee. The south end is an at-grade intersection with the former route of MS 304 near Tunica Resorts, where Mississippi Highway 713...
will run nearby.) The film was actually made in Sparta, Illinois
Sparta, Illinois
Sparta is a city in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,486 at the 2000 census.The city was the principal filming location for the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night.-Geography:Sparta is located at ....
while most seasons of the television series were filmed in Covington, Georgia
Covington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...
, east of Atlanta (and near the real I-20).
Most of the first season of the TV Series as well as the intro sequence with the Chief sitting at the railroad crossing was filmed in Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
. Some of the features of this town that can be recognized are:
- The Sanitary Barber Shop
- The Columbia Theatre
- The Hammond Cafe
- The Hammond Finance Company
- Stafford Furniture. Presently either out of business or moved to a new location.
- A young man delivering news papers with the logo "Daily Star,"
- The Hammond Post Office was made over to be Sparta's City Hall
- The "One Hour Martinizing" dry cleaner shop was made over to be the Sparta Police Station.
- The Toggery Shop
- Anderson's Shoe Store
- Billy Abel's Land of Sports was made over to be "Sonny Mims Land of Sports." Presently is a Fitness Center.
To see some of the features of Hammond that were included in this seasons, use Google Maps and enter "W Thomas and South Cate St Hammond LA" Most of the scenes are in a 4 block radius from that intersection.