7 Oldest Founded Towns to Visit in Mississippi
Mississippi, known as the "State of Soul," maintains a rich history of blues music, as well as a collection of vast and all-encompassing outdoor areas, scrumptious food ranging from farm-fresh to gulf seafood, and a plethora of museums that showcase the state's storied past. The history of the state extends back thousands of years, once inhabited by indigenous peoples, and many of its towns were founded hundreds of years ago, boasting their own unique charm and intrigue.
Take a trip to the Magnolia State and delve into some of its most historic, oldest-founded towns, chock full of unique stories, iconic mansions, historic buildings, and mosaics of culture, food, and welcoming communities.
Natchez (1716)
The city of Natchez sits on the banks of the Mississippi River and is the state's oldest-founded town, brought to life back in 1716. Natchez is best known for its historic buildings and homes, documenting the state's cultural legacy, such as the uniquely octagonal Longwood, which is an Antebellum mansion, and the Melrose estate, which is now part of the Natchez National Historical Park. Visitors may experience the truths of all different kinds of people and historic figures, including Southern belles, Indigenous tribes, Civil War soldiers, and Civil Rights pioneers, with a visit to historic sites and museums such as the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture, and the St. Mary's Basilica.
Though the town boasts a complex and ever-present history, it takes pride in its modern-day, featuring a vibrant community and adventurous spirit, with things to do, including a trip to the Old River, a hike through Natchez State Park, or an exciting sightseeing tour.
Port Gibson (1729)
Port Gibson is one of the most scenic Mississippi towns, but it is also one of the most historic, first occupied in 1729. The town and many of its historic buildings remain standing despite its role in the Civil War as President Ulysses S. Grant believed it was "too pretty to burn." Some of its most iconic historic sites include Colina Plantation Inn, an 1830s Greek Revival home that doubles as a charming bed-and-breakfast, the 450-acre Grand Gulf Military Park, and the Windsor Ruins, which was once an 1861 Greek Revival mansion. Guided tours are a great way to enjoy the town's scenery and historic buildings, learning the tale of each spot along the way.
Woodville (1811)
Woodville, established in 1811, is one of Mississippi's most adorable small towns and sits north of the Louisiana-Mississippi border. The town rests amongst rolling hills and pastures, reminiscent of a pastoral way of life, but it also encompasses over 100 historic buildings, earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. There are two historic-buildings-turned-museums: Fronting Courthouse Square, once the banking house of the West Feliciana Railroad and now the Wilkinson County Museum, and the oldest bank building in the state, the Branch Banking House of the State of Mississippi, which is now the African-American Museum.
It is also home to the oldest surviving business in the state: the Woodville Republican, a newspaper publication founded in 1823. Alongside its historic sites, businesses, and museums, the town boasts fantastic scenery. Only 20 miles west of town is the Clark Creek Natural Area, which encompasses 50 waterfalls awaiting discovery.
Columbus (1821)
Founded in 1821, Columbus was once home to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams, whose childhood home is now the town's welcome center. Columbus brands itself as the "City that Has It All'' because of its welcoming community, collection of historic homes, and scenic surroundings. Explore the town's heritage with a visit to the Stephen D. Lee Home & Museum, built in 1847, Waverley Plantation Mansion (c. 1852), or the Puckett House.
Spring Pilgrimage is an annual event celebrating the town's history, culture, and cuisine, featuring live blues performances, historic home tours, and plenty of food vendors. For those looking to wander on their own, the artfully restored Tombigbee Bridge spans the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, while the historic downtown is just a short jaunt away.
Raymond (1829)
Like Port Gibson, the town of Raymond was also part of General Ulysses S. Grant's Vicksburg Campaign during the American Civil War. The town documents Civil War history as clear as day: the president stayed at Waverly Plantation, while the soldiers used St. Mark's Episcopal Church as a hospital, where blood stains remain on the wood floors today. The hamlet's courthouse, completed in 1859, is often considered a perfect example of Greek Revival architecture.
Raymond's downtown area sits just off the Natchez Trace Parkway, a gorgeous national trail that traces its way through Mississippi. The 444-mile road follows what was once the "Old Natchez Trace," a natural pathway formed by the Indigenous peoples of the area, European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and other historic figures. Today, visitors may enjoy a scenic drive, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping.
Starkville (1834)
Starkville is one of Mississippi's most underrated cities, situated just 22 miles west of Columbus and dating back to 1834 when it was "Boardtown." In 1835, the town earned the name Starkville after General John Stark, who served in the American Revolution. Starkville titles itself "Mississippi's college town," home to Mississippi State University, but its rich history is not to be forgotten. Unity Park in Downtown Starkville documents stories of the Civil Rights Movement through video interviews, while historic buildings include Hotel Chester, Overstreet School, and Starkville City Jail.
The town is home to a rich arts and culture scene as well, which travelers can indulge in with a visit to Starkville Community Theater, the Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra, and the Starkville Community Market.
Aberdeen (1835)
The town of Aberdeen considers itself "Historically Significant, Architecturally Magnificent," which visitors can explore along the Architectural Driving Tour. Popular historical attractions include "The Magnolias," which is an Antebellum home built in the 1850s, the Old Aberdeen Cemetery, and the 1937 Elkin Theatre. The Black History Trail is another self-guided tour, which traverses through 15 stops significant to black history, such as the Aberdeen Blues Mural. Aberdeen sits on the banks of the Tombigbee River and was one of the busiest ports of the 19th century. Today, visitors continue to enjoy the water, partaking in fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as many other water sports, at the Blue Bluff Campground & Recreation Area on Aberdeen Lake.
Mississippi's oldest-founded towns are home to rich histories and stories unlike any other, ideal for those in search of unique experiences and delving deep into the past. Whether a trip to Mississippi's oldest town, Natchez, intrigues you, or the historic main street and Antebellum homes of Aberdeen fit your fancy, there is something to discover in these Mississippi towns.
On top of its storied past, each Mississippi town charms with its welcoming community and breathtaking views, not to mention good food and live entertainment, so visitors are sure to find excitement and adventure in every moment.
