Mississippi has a long, complex history. The area now known as the Magnolia State spent time under French, British and Spanish rule before becoming a U.S. territory in 1798. Did you know the oldest city is older than the state itself? Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlers came.
Rene-Robert, Cavalier de La Salle, first claimed the river basin for France in 1682, calling it Louisiana to honor King Louis XIV. According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, there were attempts to colonize Mississippi with outposts, including Fort Maurepas near Biloxi.
The first private charter was issued in 1712 to Anthony Crozat, who gave it back in 1717. The charter then went to John Law and the Mississippi Company that year. By 1721, the “Mississippi Bubble” as it was called, burst, per MDAH.
According to the History Channel, the area was flooded with new settlers after the American Revolution, which slowed during the War of 1812. By 1813, the Mississippi Territory included modern-day Alabama.
Mississippi became the 20th state on Dec, 10, 1817.
What was the first city in Mississippi?
The oldest continuously inhabited city in Mississippi is Natchez. It was founded in 1716 by French settlers as Fort Rosalie. (The site is in the 500 block of South Canal Street, part of the National Park Service.)
Before that the area was home to the Natchez, or Nachee, tribe for thousands of years. According to the National Park Service, mound-building cultures were in decline by the time of European settlement. Native Americans fought to keep their territory after the French demanded White Apple Village, a sacred site for ceremonies. According tothe Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the tribe killed most of the fort’s inhabitants in November 1729. French reinforcements sent to the colony nearly wiped out the tribe by 1731.
The city was incorporated on March 10, 1803, per the Natchez government.
Today, the city on the bluff is a tourism destination, known for its pre-Civil War homes.
How many historical buildings are in Natchez?
Richmond in Natchez, Miss., is one of the oldest homes in the state. According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, it was built around 1785.
According to Visit Natchez, the city has more than 1,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Most of the homes in Natchez survived the Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi, while the memories leave a haunting tale,” Visit Natchez wrote.
When was Jackson, Mississippi, founded?
Jackson was founded in 1821 on the site of a trading post called Le Fleur’s Bluff. It was chosen as the new state capital because of its central location in the state, according to the research company EBSCO. The city was named after General Andrew Jackson, who went on to become president.
What were the capitals of Mississippi?
According to MDAH, the state has had a few capital cities over time. Natchez, Washington, Natchez (again) and Columbia served the state before Jackson was founded. During the Civil War, Macon and Columbus both hosted legislative sessions.
Know your history: Oldest school in Mississippi dates back to the 1800s. Here’s where it is
See some of the oldest homes in Mississippi
What are some of the oldest towns in Mississippi?
Love history? World Atlas lists 7 of the Magnolia State’s oldest towns to visit for a walk through the past.
-
Port Gibson, founded in 1729
-
Woodville, founded in 1811
-
Columbus, founded in 1821
-
Starkville, founded in 1834
-
Aberdeen, founded in 1835
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What’s the oldest city in Mississippi? It’s been around since 1716
