CLARKSDALE

city, seat (1892) of Coahoma county, northwestern Mississippi, U.S. It is situated in the Mississippi River valley and lies along the Sunflower River, 70 miles (113 km) south-southwest of Memphis, Tenn. It was settled in 1849 by John Clark on an Indian fortification site; in 1868 he opened a store and laid out a village, which was originally named Clarksville. Clarksdale is now a processing and distribution centre, and agriculture (cotton, small grains, soybeans, dairy products) is the economic mainstay, augmented by light manufacturing. According to the U.S. De Soto Exposition, Sunflower Landing, 14 miles (23 km) west, is the spot where Hernando de Soto discovered the Mississippi River in 1541. Coahoma Community College opened (1949) in Clarksdale. Inc. 1882. Pop. (1991 est.) 19,860.