Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Vicksburg's Original Floodwall

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

1. Vicksburg's Original Floodwall Marker

Inscription. Vicksburg's first floodwall, built to keep annual spring flood waters from disrupting commercial activity along Levee Street, was completed in 1924. It was financed on a shared basis agreement between the City of Vicksburg, the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad, the Alabama and Vicksburg Railroad, and private owners. The City's portion was financed through a bond issue, the resulting election for which solicited the largest number of votes ever cast in the city with almost 74 percent in favor of the bond issue. In addition, private concerns contributed more than $200,000 for the wall. The flood of 1913 sparked plans to build the wall when flood waters completely covered Levee Street. The construction of this floodwall assured that the growth in Vicksburg's most important wholesale and manufacturing section would continue. The wall was built with three gates-at Clay, China and Grove streets. It received its first "test" when, in 1927, the Nation experienced the worst Mississippi River flooding in recorded history. The wall held, providing protection for what was at the time, a booming retail and warehousing district.

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In 1959, the current taller floodwall was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before you is one of the remaining sections of Vicksburg's "little" floodwall.

Erected by the City of Vicksburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 32° 21.144′ N, 90° 52.997′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It is on Levee Street north of Clay Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Levee Street, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the

Vicksburg's Original Little Floodwall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

2. Vicksburg's Original Little Floodwall

Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice (here, next to this marker); Jitney Jungle (here, next to this marker); LeTourneau (here, next to this marker); Miss Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane (a few steps from this marker); Rosa A. Temple High School (a few steps from this marker); The Vicksburg Campaign and Siege (within shouting distance of this marker); "Two Bridges at Sunset" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.