**Historical Background**:
– The area was initially occupied by the Natchez Native Americans.
– French colonists settled the area in 1719.
– Vicksburg was incorporated in 1825.
– The Natchez War had significant implications for the region.
– The Choctaw Nation eventually took over the area.
**Civil War and Post-War Period**:
– Vicksburg surrendered during the Siege of Vicksburg, marking a turning point in the Civil War.
– The city was under Union military occupation until the war’s end.
– Political and racial unrest ensued post-Civil War, with the formation of groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Red Shirts.
– The city faced challenges due to changes in transportation methods after losing access to the Mississippi River.
– Lynchings and racial terrorism against blacks continued into the 20th century.
**Geography and Climate**:
– Vicksburg is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers.
– The city covers a total area of 35.3 sqmi, with a significant portion being land.
– Interstate 20 provides crucial transportation links.
– Vicksburg has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters.
– Average temperatures range from 47.6°F to 92.8°F.
**Economy and Demographics**:
– Vicksburg is home to significant US Army Corps of Engineers installations.
– Casinos like Ameristar Casino Vicksburg contribute to the local economy.
– In 2020, the city had a population of 21,573, with a racial composition of 27.69% White, 66.86% Black, 0.97% Asian, and 1.87% Hispanic or Latino.
– The federal government employs 12.3% of the local workforce.
– Significant fluctuations in population numbers have been observed over the decades.
**Cultural and Modern Developments**:
– Vicksburg has a rich cultural heritage with historical sites and museums.
– The city hosts annual events like the Miss Mississippi Pageant and Parade.
– Educational institutions like All Saints Episcopal School and Carr Central High School have historical significance.
– The Vicksburg Riverfront murals program and the establishment of the Engineer Research and Development Center are notable modern developments.
– Notable individuals associated with Vicksburg include Beth Henley and Mildred Taylor, contributing to the city’s cultural legacy.
Vicksburg is a historic city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the county seat. The population was 21,573 at the 2020 census. Located on a high bluff on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from Louisiana, Vicksburg was built by French colonists in 1719. The outpost withstood an attack from the native Natchez people. It was incorporated as Vicksburg in 1825 after Methodist missionary Newitt Vick. The area that is now Vicksburg was long occupied by the Natchez Native Americans as part of their historical territory along the Mississippi. The first Europeans who settled the area were French colonists who built Fort Saint Pierre in 1719 on the high bluffs overlooking the Yazoo River at present-day Redwood. They conducted fur trading with the Natchez and others, and started plantations. During the American Civil War, it was a key Confederate river-port, and its July 1863 surrender to Ulysses S. Grant, along with the concurrent Battle of Gettysburg, marked the turning-point of the war.
Vicksburg | |
|---|---|
 Old Warren County Courthouse ("Old Courthouse Museum") | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname(s): "Gibraltar of the Confederacy", "Red Carpet City of the South" | |
 Location of Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi (left) and of Warren County in Mississippi | |
| Coordinates: 32°21′9″N 90°52′39″W / 32.35250°N 90.87750°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Warren |
| Founded | 1811 |
| Incorporated | January 29, 1825 |
| Named for | Newitt Vick |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | George Flaggs Jr. |
| Area | |
| • City | 35.09 sq mi (90.89 km2) |
| • Land | 33.02 sq mi (85.51 km2) |
| • Water | 2.08 sq mi (5.38 km2) |
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • City | 21,573 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 20,391 |
| • Density | 653.39/sq mi (252.28/km2) |
| • Urban | 25,888 |
| • Metro | 42,649 (US: 293rd) |
| Time zone | UTC–6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 39180, 39181, 39182, 39183 |
| Area code(s) | 601 and 769 |
| FIPS code | 28-76720 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0679216 |
| Sales tax | 7.0% |
| Website | vicksburg.org |
After the war came Reconstruction and then a violent return to power by white supremacists and the Democratic Party in 1874 and 1875, including the Vicksburg massacre. Today, Vicksburg's population is majority African American. The city is home to three large installations of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which has often been involved in local flood control.