Located in southwestern Mississippi, Port Gibson is the county seat of Claiborne County. The first Europeans to settle the area were French colonists who came in 1729, and Port Gibson was chartered as a town after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. When the American Indians were removed from the area, cotton plantations began springing up in the area, and planters imported thousands of African-American slaves to work the fields. At the start of the Civil War, Port Gibson had a majority black population, nearly all enslaved. Several clashes took place in or near Port Gibson during the war, the most significant being the Battle of Port Gibson, which took place on May 1, 1863. Many of the town’s historic buildings survived because Union General Ulysses S. Grant declared the city to be “too beautiful to burn., words that now appear on Port Gibson’s city limits signs. The city also played a part in the Mississippi Blues. The Rabbit’s Foot Company, established in Florida by Pat Chappelle in 1900, was moved to Port Gibson after it was purchased by a white farmer in 1911. Featuring an all-black cast of singers, musicians, comedians, and entertainers, it remained in operation until 1950, playing a part in the development of the Blues in Mississippi. Confederate General Earl Van Dorn was born near Port Gibson. US Highway 61 passes through the center of Port Gibson. Nearby communities include Alcorn, Gordon, Ingleside, Oaklawn, Pattison, Russum, and Westside. Vicksburg, Mississippi is thirty-three miles to the north, and the state capital of Jackson is about sixty miles northeast of Port Gibson.
Recommended Resources
Claiborne County Economic Development District
CCEDD was developed in 2011 as a partnership between Claiborne County and Entergy, which maintains the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, the largest producer of electricity in the United States. Economic assets and available properties are identified, and an interactive map is featured.
http://www.claiborneworks.com/
Claiborne County Public School District
Operating A.W. Watson Elementary School, Port Gibson Middle School, Port Gibson High School, and the Claiborne County Vocational & Technical Complex, the public school system offers a PK-12th grade curriculum, as well as a vocational program for high school students and adults. Policy information and directory of faculty and staff are put forth.
http://www.claiborne.k12.ms.us/
Family owned and operated, the Port Gibson, Mississippi company specializes in all types of fences for residential, commercial, farm, and industrial clients. Its location, contacts, office hours, and an overview of its services and products are put forward, with payment options and client reviews.
http://www.deerparkfenceinc.com/
First Presbyterian Church of Port Gibson
Organized in 1800, the Presbyterian mission in what is now Port Gibson, Mississippi was served by rotating circuit preachers until 1789, when Joseph Bullen was sent out as a missionary to the Chickasaw Indians in northeastern Mississippi. The church’s history, membership policies and records, church polity, and schedules are posted.
http://www.fpcportgibson.com/
Built in 1834 as a one-story cottage, a second floor was added to the building in 1880, serving as a single-family home until the 21st century, when it was left empty and in disrepair until 2010, when it was restored and put into service as a B&B facility. Photos and descriptions of the accommodations are offered, and reservations may be made through the site.
http://www.isabellabedandbreakfast.com/
The Port Gibson Baptist Church arose from the Magnolia Baptist Church in 1872, about four miles southwest of Port Gibson, Mississippi, which had been badly damaged during the Civil War. The church’s history is told, along with an overview of the congregation’s beliefs and practices, schedules, and a calendar of events.
http://www.portgibsonbaptistchurch.com/
Port Gibson on the Mississippi
Situated between Vicksburg and Natchez on the Mississippi River, Port Gibson was deemed “too beautiful to burn” by Union General Grant during the Civil War, thus many of its lavish 19th century homes and storefronts still exist. A community profile is featured, along with a guide to local churches and organizations.
http://www.portgibsononthemississippi.com/
Chartered in 1803, Port Gibson is the third-oldest European-American settlement in Mississippi. The official city web site features a history and profile of the city, demographics, and a gallery of photographs. Administrative and departmental contacts, meeting agendas and minutes, and a guide to area attractions and events are included.
http://portgibsonms.org/
The Claiborne County bank was organized as the Port Gibson Bank in 1890, taking over a building that had been occupied by another bank since 1840. In 1999, the bank expanded its area to include facilities in Madison and Vicksburg. Its locations, lobby and drive-through hours, and ATM locations are posted, and online banking services are included.
https://www.riverhillsbank.com/
Located in Port Gibson, Mississippi, the congregation is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi. A profile of the church is presented, with an introduction for those who are new to the church, program schedules, a calendar of events, staff contacts, office hours and announcements.
http://www.stjamesportgibson.dioms.org/
