Abernathy was named for S.D. Abernathy who operated a large country store in 1890. The store was five miles east of Pelahatchie.
This community took its name from the Antioch Baptist Church which was organized in 1836. According to the New Testament (Acts 11:26) it was at Antioch where believers were first called Christians.
Brandon, Rankin County’s seat of government, was named for Gerard C. Brandon Mississippi’s first native governor. Its post office opened July 7, 1829.
This settlement, famous for the location of Centenary College (1841-1845), was originally the site of a resort area. It was located 12 miles northeast of Brandon and briefly had a post office from August 24, 1839, through May 15, 1840.
Cato was established in 1830 and is the oldest settlement in the southeastern section of Rankin County. Long before the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad came through the area, Cato was said to be an important trading post,boasting four stores, two saloons, and a rock warehouse. Its settlers came from Georgia and the Carolinas.
The first post office was opened at Cato in May 1857 and one of its first postmasters was Frank Martin. Cato Springs Baptist church, founded in 1854, was named for a free flowing spring found at the foot of the hill.