Final answer:
The discovery of "Petit Gulf" cotton in Pontotoc County, MS revolutionized the cotton industry and led to significant economic growth in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
An important historical event that took place in Pontotoc County, MS is the discovery of Gossypium barbadense, also known as "Petit Gulf" cotton, in 1820.
This discovery revolutionized the American and global cotton markets as it was found to be a superior cotton strain that could be processed more easily and produced more usable cotton. This coincided with the forced removal of Native Americans from the Southeast, resulting in the availability of land for white settlers at affordable prices.
As a result, farmers with dreams of owning large plantations were able to purchase acres of land in the fertile Mississippi River Delta, leading to significant agricultural and economic growth in the region.