On the afternoon of April 30, 1863, Confederate General Martin E. Green posted his brigade near Magnolia Church to defend this route to Port Gibson. Just after midnight, Green's pickets, stationed here at the Shaifer House, fired on the sixteen-man . . . — — Map (db m143709) HM
At daybreak, the Union soldiers who camped here found themselves in the midst of a rugged landscape of ridges and ravines. As it happened, they were also at the center of what would become the battlefield. From this knoll, Generals Grant and . . . — — Map (db m143854) HM
On May 1, 1863, Confederate forces under Brig. Gen. John Bowen clashed with elements of two Union corps commanded by Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant. The battle began around midnight near the Shaifer House four miles west of town. At dawn, the Federals . . . — — Map (db m35542) HM
Confederate Gen. Martin E. Green on the afternoon of April 30, 1863, posted his brigade near Magnolia Church, with an outpost here. Shortly after midnight. Green rode forward to check on his pickets. Reaching this point, the general found Mrs. A. . . . — — Map (db m143319) HM
A night attack by Iowa and Wisconsin soldiers of Gen. E. A. Carr's division on Gen. M. E. Green's Confederates at this point was repulsed. At daybreak May 1, the Federals readied a new thrust. Gen. J. A. McClernand sent Gen. P. J. Osterhaus up the . . . — — Map (db m143571) HM
Gen. W. E. Baldwin's brigade reached Willow Creek about the time
Gen. M. E. Green's troops were driven from Magnolia Church. Confederate Gen. J. S. Bowen had Baldwin form his troops in this undergrowth-filled
bottom. Rebel cannoneers emplaced . . . — — Map (db m143845) HM
When the Union Navy was repulsed by General Bowen at Grand Gulf, Grant's army was forced to land in Louisiana and march down river. Conducting the largest amphibious landing prior to World War II, the Union Army crossed the river and landed without . . . — — Map (db m146559) HM
Of the three original mounds overlooking Bayou Pierre, only one remains. A pyramidal platform, Mound A is currently 16 feet tall. Excavations indicate that Native Americans built the mound in multiple stages during the Coles Creek Period, from AD . . . — — Map (db m103785) HM
Following the arrival of Presbyterian missionaries in 1801, Joseph Bullen and James Smylie organized the Bayou Pierre Church at this site in 1807. After part of the congregation formed the Bethel Church southwest of here in 1824, the remaining . . . — — Map (db m70394) HM
407 Walnut. 1857 Greek Revival. Erected as a school for young ladies. Brashear Academy became Chamberlain-Hunt Academy after the Civil War. Thereafter, used as a public school until purchased by the First Presbyterian Church. — — Map (db m139489) HM
The Union Army under command of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant was composed of the 13th Corps and Logan's Division of the 17th Corps. The Confederate Army, under command of Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen, was composed of Tracy's, Cockrell's, Green's, and Baldwin's . . . — — Map (db m104412) HM
Church and Miss. 547. 1900 Queene Anne. Chamberlain-Hunt was an outgrowth of Oakland College, which moved here from Alcorn, and has been operational since 1879. Damaged severely by the fire of 1924. — — Map (db m137994) HM
Founded 1879 as a preparatory school for boys by the Presbyterian Church. Named for Jer. Chamberlain, president, and David Hunt, major benefactor, of Oakland College (1826-1861), predecessor of this academy. — — Map (db m138721) HM
Established on January 27, 1802, by first General Assembly. Claiborne County was the fourth
county organized in the Mississippi Territory. Carved from Jefferson County (formerly Pickering County), of the Old Natchez District, the county was named . . . — — Map (db m103802) HM
This local area was once a part of the mighty Choctaw Nation. The Choctaw Indians relinquished when they signed The Treaty of Commissioner's Creek in 1802. Among the white men who signed this treaty were David Hunt and Daniel Burnet. The first . . . — — Map (db m139187) HM
The Caucasian habitation of Claiborne County began as a settlement on the banks of Bayou Pierre, a venture which perished in 1729. Pioneers again attempted to settle Grand Gulf in 1775. In 1802 the County officially established and named for the . . . — — Map (db m139493) HM
212-14 Carrol. Ca. 1840 Greek Revival. One of the finest commercial/residential buildings from this era in Mississippi today. The center doorway opens to a stairhall which leads to the residence area upstairs. — — Map (db m139356) HM
600 Block of Market. Ca. 1828-40. Federal/Greek Revival. This grouping of buildings had commercial space on the ground floor and either storage or living space above. Washington Hall at 601-09 Market was formerly a hotel. — — Map (db m139468) HM
An outbuilding in size and architectural detail to this one was constructed by Samuel Gibson, apparently at the same time as his residence circa 1805. The original dependency was probably used as a plantation office, school or weaving room. Since . . . — — Map (db m137981) HM
1006 Church. Ca. 1900 Queen Anne. A stained glass transom over the large window of the protruding bay and decorative woodwork in the gable are characteristic of this architectural style. — — Map (db m139171) HM
702 Church. Ca. 1817 Federal. The birthplace of Constance Cary who was one of the young ladies involved in making the first Confederate battleflag. The small formal garden is the only one of its type remaining in Port Gibson. — — Map (db m104374) HM
During the battle, and for weeks afterward, the Shaifer home
served as a field hospital where amputations took place on
benches and tables on the porches around the house. It was
here that Charles Dana, a former journalist who was observing
the . . . — — Map (db m143999) HM
As Logan's division marched west toward Grand Gulf on May 3, 1863, M. M. Crocker's division moved toward Hankinson's Ferry. At Kennison Creek, one mile north, the road was blocked by two Confederate brigades. After a spirited skirmish, the . . . — — Map (db m103822) HM
Founded in 1867 by freedmen. Moved to this site ca. 1896. Played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement in Port Gibson. Beginning in 1965, the NAACP held meetings here to promote boycotts of local white merchants, who subsequently filed suit. In . . . — — Map (db m103805) HM
Second oldest Presbyterian Church in Old Southwest. Org. April, 1807, as Bayou Pierre Church. Moved to Port Gibson 1827. Zebulon Butler first resident pastor, 1827-60. Present structure built 1859. — — Map (db m103807) HM
609 Church. 1859-60 Romanesque Revival. This church with the hand pointing to heaven is the most famous building in Claiborne County. The original hand of gilded wood was carved by young Daniel Foley. — — Map (db m104345) HM
From This Site Was Fired The First Shot In The Battle Of Port GibsonTop of Monument In Memory Of The Confederate Soldiers Who Fought And Fell In The Battle Of Port Gibson May 1, 1863. — — Map (db m143320) HM WM
602 Church. Ca. 1830-50 Federal/Greek Revival. One of the two remaining examples of this architectural style in Claiborne County. Double galleries have modified Tuscan colonnettes. The brick dependency possibly predated the home. — — Map (db m104368) HM
After occupying Willow Springs on May 5. 1863,. Gen. U. S. Grant divided his force. The XVII Corps advanced on Hankinson s Ferry 5 miles north of here in two columns. Gen. M. M. Crocker's division driving up this road encountered a Confederate . . . — — Map (db m103849) HM
This ford marked the beginning of the wilderness of the Choctaw nation and the end of the old Natchez District. Nearby Fort Deposit was a supply depot for troops clearing the Trace in 1801-02, and troops were assembled here during the Burr . . . — — Map (db m61981) HM
703 Church. Ca. 1840 Greek Revival/Italianate. Italianate long windows and protruding bay windows are typical of many houses built just before the Civil War. The interesting and unusual etched glass panel in the front door depicts a pelican. — — Map (db m104344) HM
1301 College. 1840's Queen Anne. The oldest portion of this house is a three room, one story wing at the south east corner.The Queen Anne addition, constructed in 1890, became the main living area. — — Map (db m139172) HM
805 Church. Ca. 1845, Greek Revival. Reportedly constructed of flat boats in Grand Gulf in 1845 and moved to Port Gibson Ca. 1872. This Greek Revival cottage has typical square columns. Dormer windows have been added to the original structure. — — Map (db m139182) HM
907 Church. Ca. 1825 Greek Revival. Home of Henry Hughes, author of the first textbook on sociology, who gave this science its name. Dr. Irwin Russell, the first writer to use Negro dialect in poetry, also lived here as a boy. — — Map (db m139173) HM
Ca. 1833 Greek Revival. Idlewild's interior is noted for its twelve foot doors and windows. Henry Clay made a speech from the front porch during his presidential campaign in the 1840's. — — Map (db m137984) HM
E. 1 block is birthplace of Irwin Russell. In a short life of 26 years he won fame with his poems in Negro dialect. Author of “Christmas Night in the Quarters” and other poems. — — Map (db m244216) HM
900 Marginal. 1870. Although Jewish families have played an important role in Port Gibson life since the 1830's, burials were made in the Jewish cemetery in Natchez prior to 1870. — — Map (db m139180) HM
1108 Church. Ca. 1830 Greek Revival. This home built by Judge Coleman was the site of a large political rally held for Henry Clay, during one of his early visits to Port Gibson. — — Map (db m139459) HM
302 Jackson. Ca. 1827-1840, Greek Revival. Henry Clay often visited in Port Gibson and stayed in this house as guest of his friend, Judge James H. Maury. Descendents of Judge Maury still live here (1979). — — Map (db m139354) HM
1202 Church. Ca. 1890 Stick Style. This house with its tall proportions, irregular silhouette, projecting eaves and exposed framing in the gables is an interesting example of the Stick Style. — — Map (db m138753) HM
• Claiborne County native educated in local schools and Alcorn A & M College
• First black citizen elected to the Claiborne County Board of Education - 1969 to 1974
• Operated a successful business on this site
• Owned an . . . — — Map (db m104424) HM
Lil Green was known as the Queen of the Blues in the early 1940s when her distinctive, seductive voice was highlighted on “Romance in the Dark,” “Why Don’t You Do Right?” and other blues and pop songs recorded for the Bluebird label. Born Lillie . . . — — Map (db m143094) HM
After firing the nighttime opening shots of the Battle of Port Gibson, Confederate skirmishers retreated to the ridge behind you to join the battle line that General Green formed in the dark. A volley from this line stopped the advancing Union' . . . — — Map (db m143740) HM
Excavation of this site tells us much about the people of the late prehistoric periods. The Plaquemine culture included the ancestors of the modern tribes of Mississippi and Louisiana. It was a society with elaborate agriculturally oriented . . . — — Map (db m87325) HM
509 Church. Ca. 1820 Greek Revival. The portico treatment featuring two round columns between two square columns is called distyle-in-antis. This arrangement is modeled after the Tower of the Winds in Athens. The Corinthian columns are carved from . . . — — Map (db m139490) HM
Miss. 547. Ca. 1845 Greek Revival. Peter A. Van Dorn built this planter house which has the typical front and rear galleries, the latter now enclosed. The basic plan features two pairs of rooms flanking a center hall. — — Map (db m138725) HM
901 Church. 1858-60 Romanesque Revival. The original building was constructed in 1826, but was destroyed by fire in 1858. The new church built on the same site, was dedicated July 8, 1860. — — Map (db m104399) HM
1207 Church Street. Port Gibson's largest mansion. This neoclassic house exemplifies the grandeur of antebellum days. The house with gardens and dependencies originally occupied the entire block. Named Oak Square because of the massive Oak trees . . . — — Map (db m139025) HM
902 Farmer. Ca. 1850 Greek Revival. The original floor plan of this cottage consisted of one large room to either side of an entrance hall with front and rear galleries. A detached kitchen extended off the rear gallery. — — Map (db m139474) HM
Magnolia Church was in the middle of some of the heaviest fighting of the battle, with the center of Brig. Gen. Martin Green's Confederate brigade being posted here. Union troops under command of Brig. Gens. Carr, Benton and Hovey and Col. Stone . . . — — Map (db m143705) HM
The sounds of a busy woodland stream and the quiet murmur of a lazy waterfall have long been stilled here. Only after a heavy rainfall does water fill the stream and set the waterfall singing.
Over the years the water table has dropped . . . — — Map (db m87327)
1009 Church Street,Ca. 1880's Queen Anne. The house is noteworthy for the lavish display of stained glass on the front facade. The builder used a strange, free classic Corinthian order for his columns. — — Map (db m139028) HM
405 Market. 1810-20 Federal. This large brick structure was one of the well known inns along the Natchez Trace. The famous actor Joseph Jefferson was a guest here. This is one of the oldest buildings in Claiborne County. — — Map (db m139471) HM
Incorporated in 1811, Port Gibson was first settled by Samuel Gibson, who acquired property along Bayou Pierre from the Spanish in 1788. First known as Gibson's Landing. Port Gibson, selected as the Claiborne County seat in 1803, had the state's . . . — — Map (db m103803) HM
702 Market. 1840 Greek Revival. This bank closed its doors during the Civil War but reopened afterwards as a hotel. Since 1890 it has been used for its original purpose. The hexastyle portico features unfluted Doric columns. — — Map (db m139458) HM
Methodists assumed ownership and the Academy was chartered as Port Gibson Collegiate Academy in 1854, becoming Port Gibson Female College in 1881. The school closed in 1928.
On December 21, 1933 deeds were filed in the courthouse . . . — — Map (db m139047) HM
1103 Church Street. 1830-31 Greek Revival. This house was constructed the year following erection of the first building to house the First Presbyterian Church during the early ministry of Dr. Zebulon Butler. — — Map (db m139026) HM
During the first half of the 20th century, the African American Rabbit Foot Minstrels entertainers played a major role in spreading the blues via tours across the South. Founded in 1900, the “Foots” were headquartered in Port Gibson between 1918 and . . . — — Map (db m35545) HM
After the war this house became a symbol of reconciliation between North and South. Although Confederate veteran A.K. "Kell" Shaifer Jr. lost his wife and two sons during the war and had his home and farm ravaged, he later made friends with several . . . — — Map (db m143901) HM
700 Coffee. 1850's. Resin Bowie and his wife are buried here. According to tradition, Resin invented the "Bowie" knife with which his brother Jim Bowie fought the duel and became well known in history. — — Map (db m139181) HM
This brick structure is thought to have been built ca. 1805 as a residence for Samuel Gibson, the founder of Port Gibson. It was moved from its original site to this location in 1980. Typical of the dwellings built during the early settlement of . . . — — Map (db m137975) HM
1101 College Street. 1896 Queen Anne. This house is one of the finest examples of Queen Anne architecture in Claiborne County. The style is indicative of a number of houses built in Port Gibson near the turn of the century. — — Map (db m139027) HM
701 Church. Ca. 1825 Federal. The original floor plan consisted of four rooms, no center hall, front and back galleries. The designer and builder was Horatio Nelson Spencer, a prominent local attorney. — — Map (db m104354) HM
W. 2 mi. Built about 1800 by George W. Humphreys, Birthplace of Benjamin Grubb Humphreys (1808-82). Brigadier General, C.S.A. Governor of Mississippi from 1865 to 1868. — — Map (db m103800) HM
When Union Gen. J. B. McPherson's XVII Corps reached Grindstone Ford, 2 miles south of here at dusk on May 2, 1863, the troops found the bridge across Big Bayou Pierre burning. Col. J. H. Wilson and a detachment put out the fire. During the night . . . — — Map (db m103855) HM
1302 Church. Ca. 1840. Greek Revival. The front part of this house is pegged together with wooden pegs rather than being nailed. The kitchen was in a separate building to the rear. — — Map (db m138751) HM
808 Church. 1884-85. Ca. 1897 High Victorian Gothic. The architect was W.P. Wentworth from Boston. The entire structure reflects contemporary architectural developments in Massachusetts rather than in Mississippi. — — Map (db m104400) HM
409 Church. Ca. 1885 High Victorian Gothic. This church was founded in 1870. The building is a simplified version of the High Victorian Gothic style popular in the United States in the latter half of the nineteenth century. — — Map (db m139491) HM
Preserved here is a portion of the deeply eroded or “sunken” Old Trace. Hardships of journeying on the Old Trace included heat, mosquitoes, poor food, hard beds (if any), disease, swollen rivers, and sucking swamps.
Take 5 minutes to walk this . . . — — Map (db m87313) HM
706 Church. 1891-92 Victorian Moro-Byzantine Revival. The architects of Temple Gemiluth Chassed, which means gift of the righteous, combined Moorish, Byzantine and Romanesque styles to produce a building unique in Mississippi. — — Map (db m104343) HM
About dark on May 1, 1863, Gen. W. E. Baldwin's Confederates retreated through Port Gibson. After crossing the suspension bridge over Little Bayou Pierre, the Confederates set it afire. On the morning of the 2d. the Union army entered the beautiful . . . — — Map (db m103808) HM
On April 1, 1966, the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) imposed an economic boycott on the majority of the white-owned businesses in Port Gibson/Claiborne County. In the months leading up to the . . . — — Map (db m104340) HM
After Grant's army came ashore at Bruinsburg, each enslaved person in this area was faced with a decision: whether or not to flee to freedom.
Directly in the path of the Union army, the slaves who lived and worked on the Shaifer farm certainly . . . — — Map (db m144111) HM
On the afternoon of May 3, 1863, Union Gen. U.S. Grant rode west past this intersection to Grand Gulf while Gen. John A. Logan's division turned north toward Vicksburg. Logan was in pursuit of the Confederate force that had abandoned Grand Gulf . . . — — Map (db m173365) HM
From here you see where the nineteenth century path intersects with the auxiliary "plantation road." During the battle, this road provided the Union command a direct link with their left flank engaged along the Bruinsburg Road to the north. . . . — — Map (db m143713) HM
In April of 1861, rumors of Civil War became a reality at Charleston harbor when Fort Sumter was fired upon by Southern forces. Many leaders, both North and South, believed that a dash to capture the opposing side's capital city would bring a quick . . . — — Map (db m139494) HM WM
Originally named "The Hill," this house was built by Peter Aaron Van Dorn, ca. 1828. Located on one of Port Gibson's highest hills, the brick and cypress house was constructed from the resources presumed to be local. Distinctive features of the . . . — — Map (db m137977) HM
Ca. 1830 Federal. Built by Peter A. Van Dorn, New Jersey native who purchased this land in 1826. In 1817 Van Dorn was first clerk of the State House of Representatives. Boyhood home of Van Dorn's son, Confederate General Earl Van Dorn. — — Map (db m143065) HM
Windsor Mounds includes four rectangular platform mounds overlooking Bayou Pierre. Mound A, visible from the road, is the largest at over 30 feet, and has a ramp extending toward the east. Mounds B, C, and D range in height from 3 to 16 feet. The . . . — — Map (db m103783) HM
Smith Coffee Daniell II, a successful cotton planter, completed construction of Windsor in 1861. Daniell owned 21,000 acres of plantation land in Louisiana and Mississippi. Ironically, he died in April 1861, only weeks after completing his . . . — — Map (db m70541) HM
Greenwood Street. 1807. This is one of the oldest cemeteries in Mississippi. Originally the burying ground of Samuel Gibson, founder of Port Gibson, and his family. Confederate General Earl Van Dorn is also buried here. — — Map (db m137999) HM
