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

"New Beginnings & Lasting Legacies"

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

1. "New Beginnings & Lasting Legacies" Marker

Inscription. From the earliest settlers to Vicksburg, African Americans have made significant contributions to social, educational, religious, economic and political progress. Vicksburg was home to Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American U. S. Senator, the first President of Alcorn State University and the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first AME church in Mississippi (1864), the home of the first Afr. Am. Masonic Lodge in the state (1875) and Campbell College (1890), the first college in MS to be established by blacks. Other important leaders made great strides in education including Rosa A. Temple, J. G. H. Bowman, William Demby and Dr. Jane McAllister, the first black woman to receive a PhD. in education in the United States. While other Afr. Ams provided spiritual guidance: Rev R. T Middleton, Dr. John J. Morant, and Rev. Kelly Rucks. Leading the field of dentistry at the turn of the century was Dr. D. D. Foote, while his contemporary, W. E. Mollison, helped organize Lincoln Savings Bank and practice law. Vicksburg's first Afr. Am. Alderman was Wesley Crayton. The first black embalmer

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in MS was William Henry Jefferson, who, along with his wife Lucy, were actively involved in community affairs including membership in a number of fraternal and social societies. These and many additional African American community leaders helped to improve the quality of life for the residents of Vicksburg and have left a lasting legacy.
Sponsored by the City of Vicksburg and The Mississippi Arts Commission

Erected 2004 by the City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists.

Location. 32° 21.055′ N, 90° 53.037′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It is on Levee Street north of Clay Street, on the left when traveling north. The Vicksburg Riverfront Murals are located on the Yazoo Diversion Canal levee wall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg

"New Beginnings & Lasting Legacies" Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

2. "New Beginnings & Lasting Legacies" Mural

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 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: Joseph Biedenharn and the First Bottling of Coca-Cola (here, next to this marker); Sisters of Mercy (here, next to this marker); The Sultana's Last Voyage (a few steps from this marker); Dedication of the Illinois Monument (a few steps from this marker); "The War Between the States" (a few steps from this marker); Crossing the Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); The Steamer Sultana (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Street (within shouting distance of this

Vicksburg, Mississippi waterfront levee wall murals. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

3. Vicksburg, Mississippi waterfront levee wall murals.

marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Also see . . . The Vicksburg Riverfront Mural website. (Submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on January 22, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.