Port Gibson
Port Gibson [dead link] is located in the western region of Mississippi. It is the county seat of Claiborne County and named for its founder, Samuel Gibson. It is located approximately 61.5 miles west of Mississippi's capitol city, Jackson.
Port Gibson is known as the city "too beautiful to burn", as proclaimed by U.S. Major General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, according to local legend.
Port Gibson is the third oldest city in Mississippi and was founded in 1802.
Understand
Port Gibson is a pretty but quiet and small city-- from its size, some people may think of it as more of a town. It has a couple of grocery stores, service stations, a drug store, and a few restaurants to fill basic needs but nothing exotic nor fancy. For more excitement or variety, the cities of Vicksburg and Natchez are both an easy drive on well maintained Highway 61. The historic architecture is well worth a look if driving through this area. It is also a convenient base for exploring this section of Mississippi.
Get in
- Car: You will find Port Gibson at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 (N-S) and the Natchez Trace Parkway.
See
- Grand Gulf Military Park, a Civil War battle site, museum and original fortifications where General U.S. Grant tried to land his troops for the Vicksburg Campaign 601-437-5911
- Windsor Ruins (circa 1861) is fourteen miles southwest of Port Gibson on a gravel road off of Highway 552; turnoff is well marked as is the route from Highway 61. Only the columns remain of what once was a plantation home destroyed by a fire. There were 29 45-foot columns supporting the roof line. The first floor housed a commisary, doctor's office, school & dairy; along with the kitchen and storage areas. The house was host to many cultural events, served as an observation post for Confederates during the war, and a Union hospital after the Battle of Port Gibson.
- No Easy Journey, a small exhibit of photographs, text, and material objects of the Civil Rights Movement. 510 Market St., Port Gibson, MS, 601-437-8905
- Port Gibson City Hall, (circa 1840) a restored Greek Revival building that was the first building erected for the Port Gibson Female College, which operated until 1928. In 1933 the property was deeded to the City of Port Gibson becoming the City Hall. In 1991-1992, under the leadership of then Mayor James Beesley the building underwent a complete renovation. This Greek Revival building now also houses The Allen Collection, a group of 53 framed black and white photographs of Port Gibson and Claiborne County taken between 1906 and 1915. Tourists are welcomed from 8 until 5 weekdays. 1005 College Street, Port Gibson, MS 39150, 601-437-4234
- Claiborne County Courthouse, one of the first buildings constructed in the city. It has burned and been restored several times. The courthouse is located near the north end of Main/Market Street.
- Lightfoot Park, a small park across from the Courthouse, named for Mr. Horace Lightfoot the first African-American elected to the Claiborne County Board of Education. Mr. Lightfoot was a tradesman, businessman, and public servant who owned an electrical and plumbing business at this site.
- Wintergreen Cemetery, a historic cemetery in Mississippi and originally the family cemetery of Samuel Gibson, founder of Port Gibson. 601-437-5776
- Port Gibson Battlefield, the Shaifer House was the site of the opening shots in the Battle of Port Gibson. Shaifer Rd., 601-437-4351
Do
- Annual Heritage Festival is held on the last weekend in March
- Port Gibson Christmas Parade is typically scheduled for the first Saturday in December
- Port Gibson Christmas Caroling is a night of caroling on the first Thursday in December
- Annual Blues & Cruise Thru History Motorcycle Rally and Show
- Harriette Person Library
Buy
- Port Gibson Antiques Market.
- Cultural Crossroads on Main/Market Street at Fair Street. Community center for quilt making. Also has a display of quilts and artifacts from the Rabbits Foot Minstrel Show Troupe which was headquartered in Port Gibson in the early 20th century. Used books for sale and irregular rummage sales.
Eat
- Antonio's Pizza, 210 Walnut Street (2nd block west of Highway 61). Pretty good pizza.
- Grant's Place Highway 61 a short distance north of the intersection of Highway 18, north of the old part of town. "Home Cookin'". Chicken, catfish, and burgers, breakfast time to 3pm.
- Georgia's Old Depot Main/Market Street, south of the Piggly Wiggly. Menu includes items such as steak and duck. If you want anything fancy to eat within town, this is the option.
- Old Country Store, 18801 Hwy 61, Lorman (About 10 miles south of town). Good fried chicken.
Drink
Sleep
- Grand Gulf Military Park. Tent and RV camping available.
- [dead link] Bernheimer House, 242 Walnut Street (Historic District), ☏ +1 601-437-2843. Bed and breakfast. They will also serve lunch and dinner by request for an extra charge. Comfortable rooms with antique furniture, strong reliable wi-fi connection throughout, and very helpful staff.
- Oak Square Plantation, 1207 Church St, ☏ +1 601-437-4350, toll-free: +1 800-729-0240. Bed and breakfast.
- Rosswood Plantation, Highway 552 East, ☏ +1 601-437-4215. Bed and breakfast.
- [dead link] Tuscan Columns, 1404 Church Street, ☏ +1 601-214-0215. Bed and breakfast.
- Collina Plantation Bed and Breakfast, 100 Greenwood St. (Turn west on Greenwood St. from Church St.; street dead ends into Collina driveway. House on top of hill.), ☏ +1 601-437-5434, collinaplantation@missbab.com. Check-in: 2PM--6PM, check-out: 11AM. Elegant antebellum home on National Register. Two beautiful guest rooms with antiques and private entrances. Tea upon arrival. Full breakfast on fine china. No pets or children under 12. Non smoking facility. $135.00.
Go next
- Windsor Ruins -- impressive ruins of large plantation house that burned down in the 19th century, about 20 minute drive South of town-- off the main highway but the route is well marked.
- Plantation Houses -- several pre-Civil War plantation houses can be seen in Claiborne and nearby Jefferson Counties.
- Vicksburg -- Larger historic city about a 25 minute drive north on Highway 61. Shopping or eating desires you can't fill in Port Gibson you can probably find in Vicksburg.
- Natchez-- Another beautiful larger historic city, about 45 minutes south on Highway 61.
- Jackson, Mississippi --State Capital.
| Routes through Port Gibson |
| Clarksdale ← Vicksburg ← | N  S |
→ Natchez → Baton Rouge |
Jackson ← Clinton ← Jct N  ← |
N  S |
→ Natchez → END |