The city of Vicksburg is the county seat of Warren County, Mississippi, about forty miles west of the state capital of Jackson, and on the Mississippi River, across from Louisiana. The first European-American settlement in the area were French colonists who came in 1719, trading for furs with the Natchez and started plantations. However, the French colonial population never recovered from the Natchez War of 1729. Aided by the French, the Choctaws scattered the Natchez and their allies, the Yazoo, and inhabited the region for several decades until they were forced out by the U.S. government through the Treaty of Fort Adams in 1801 and the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830. In 1790, the Spanish founded Fort Nogales on the site of what would later become Vicksburg. When the Americans took it over in 1798, they changed the name to Walnut Hill, and the town that grew up around it was incorporated as the village of Vicksburg in 1825. During the American Civil War, the city surrendered to the Union during the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, one day after the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg. Due to its position on the Mississippi River, the town prospered from steamboat traffic along the river, shipping out cotton from the surrounding counties. In 1876, a flood changed the course of the river, leaving Vicksburg with limited access to the new channel, and its economy suffered. Ku Klux Klan activity was prominent in Vicksburg following the Civil War, yet a black sheriff was elected in 1874, which set off a period of unrest resulting in several deaths, mostly of black citizens. In 1903, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers diverted the Yazoo River into the former channel of the Mississippi, rejuvenating the Vicksburg waterfront, and a railroad and highway bridge was built across the Mississippi River in 1929, still the only crossing between Baton Rouge and Memphis.
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Recommended Resources
A history, profile and demographics for the city are presented on the official municipal web site, along with administrative and departmental contacts, meeting agendas and minutes, and a guide to local museums, historical sites and other places of interest, schools, events, recreational opportunities, and job postings.
http://www.vicksburg.org/
Associated with the national non-profit organization, the Vicksburg, Mississippi Junior Auxiliary encourages its members to serve in charitable causes, with a special interest in children. Membership policies, meeting schedules, projects, and fundraisers are highlighted, along with a gallery of photographs and contacts.
http://www.javicksburg.org/
First published as the Vicksburg Evening Post in 1883, the newspaper became The Vicksburg Post in 1993. Offering local, statewide and national news and sports stories, lifestyle and religion columns, education, health, and opinion features, full access to its content online requires a subscription. Advertising and subscription details are included.
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/
Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Maintained by the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, formed to promote the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi as a site for tourism, meetings, and conventions, the web site offers a guide to area hotels and motels, restaurants, shopping venues, attractions, and events. A printed visitors guide is available upon request.
http://www.visitvicksburg.com/
Owned by RockStep Capital, the shopping mall in Vicksburg, Mississippi is located on Pemberton Square. Directions, mall hours, a store directory, policy information, a calendar of current events, guest services, available leases and leasing information are featured, with contacts and special offers.
http://vicksburgmall.com/
Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce
Made up of business owners, professionals, and other individuals from Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Warren County, the not-for-profit organization offers networking and other services to its membership, as well as programs and projects designed to enhance the business environment of the area. Chamber policies, meeting schedules, and a member directory are featured.
http://www.vicksburgchamber.org/