Clinton in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Clinton Riot

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2018

1. The Clinton Riot Marker

Inscription. On September 4, 1875, Charles Caldwell, a former slave and Republican state senator, organized a political rally at “Moses Hill." Firing erupted during the rally, attended by more than 1,500 blacks and about 75 whites, including some white Democrats. During the ensuing melee, at least four whites and five blacks were killed but in the next few days many more blacks were killed by vigilante mobs from nearby towns. The violence served as a pretext for the return of white rule and the end of Reconstruction in Mississippi.

Erected 2017 by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 4, 1875.

Location. 32° 20.575′ N, 90° 19.841′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Mississippi, in Hinds County. It can be reached from the intersection of Belmont Street and Vernon Road. Located behind some former Jackson Milling Company buildings, near the railroad tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Belmont Street, Clinton MS 39056, 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

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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

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of this marker: Town Spring (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Town Spring (about 800 feet away); The Spring Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Caldwell Assassination (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clinton's Brick Streets (approx. 0.2 miles away); Olde Town Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lewis Livery Stable (approx. ¼ mile away); Hillman College (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clinton.

More about this marker. Marker is located in an unusual out-of-the-way location. This marker is located about 1000 feet directly north of the location of the assassination of Charles Caldwell. It was placed there as it was the former location of the Clinton Rail Depot. See related marker.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Mississippi Genealogy article on the Clinton Riot. (Submitted on March 23, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Clinton Riot Marker near old works and railroad tracks. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2018

2. The Clinton Riot Marker near old works and railroad tracks.

View from marker towards Belmont Street and the Johnson Milling Company. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 22, 2018

3. View from marker towards Belmont Street and the Johnson Milling Company.

The Johnson Milling Company is a tack, feed and seed store with a small engine shop and is open to the public and has been in business since 1917.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 4,270 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.