Near Grand Gulf in Claiborne County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Town of Grand Gulf

Grand Gulf Historic Tour

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

1. Town of Grand Gulf Marker

Inscription. The town of Grand Gulf began in the 18th century as a small British settlement. By 1828 it had grown to a village of three stores, one tavern, and several houses. There was a stage line to Port Gibson and steamboats stopped at its wharves. Incorporated in 1833, Grand Gulf received its name from a large whirlpool formed as the Mississippi River struck a great rock formation. By the late 1830's Grand Gulf had become an important port and trading center with seventy-six city blocks and about 1000 people. Grand Gulf's decline began in 1843 with a yellow fever epidemic. In 1853 a tornado devastated a large portion of the town. Yellow fever and cholera epidemics resulted in further population losses. To make matters worse, the Mississippi River changed its course and began eating into the land on which the town was built. Between 1855 and 1860 fifty-five city blocks were destroyed by the river. By 1860 only one hundred fifty-eight lived there. During the Civil War, Federal troops and gunboats destroyed the remainder of the town. The town was never rebuilt after the war and today even the river has deserted what was once a bustling

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river port. All that remains are a few antebellum buildings scattered along what was once the outskirts of the town.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 32° 1.972′ N, 91° 3.242′ W. Marker is near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. It is on Grand Gulf Road 1.1 miles north of Frazier Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Gibson MS 39150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Mississippi, in Natchez Trace Corridor,

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

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 Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

2. Town of Grand Gulf Marker

are within walking distance of this marker: Grand Gulf (here, next to this marker); On to Vicksburg (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Riﬂe Pits (about 600 feet away); Fort Wade (about 600 feet away); Fort Wade Ammunition Magazine (about 600 feet away); Victories and Defeats - The Cost of War (about 700 feet away); First Grand Gulf Naval Battle (about 700 feet away); Supporting Battery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Gulf.

Also see . . . MISSISSIPPI LEGENDS Grand Gulf - A Bustling Port Along the River. (Submitted on July 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

3. Town of Grand Gulf Marker

Grand Gulf Tour image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

4. Grand Gulf Tour

Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.