Located in the Warren County of the state of Mississippi, the city of Vicksburg is highly significant for its historical background. Situated 234 miles from New Orleans across the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, it lies to the west of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. The Warren County, of which it is a part, has its highest seat in this city. Highly significant in the history of America because of its crucial role in the US Civil War, the city was incorporated in 1826 and assigned its name in honor of a Methodist minister, a crucial figure in the War of 1776, called Newitt Vick.
Vicksburg was most significant during the US Civil War during when the Vicksburg Siege took place. Mississippi at that time was under Union control. The 47-day Siege had culminated in the battle which led to the crucial defeat of Lee at Gettysburg and the eventual turning point of the Civil War. Due to the war-ridden hellish memories from the Siege the city refrained from celebrating Independence Day until 1944. Railroad bridges connected the city to the west of US in 1929.
Historically significant also is the cola giant, Coca Cola , which originated here and its first product was bottled here on March 12, 1894. Vicksburg is also home to two legendary American Blues musicians, Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters, both born here in 1915.
|
The city served as a buzzing refugee center when the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 ravaged the areas of Mississippi Delta and New England. The Flood was responsible for the establishment of the Engineer Research and Development Center.
Spanning across an area of 98.32 square kilometers, the city is surrounded by both the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. The population density of the place is 310.1 per square kilometers according to the 2000 census. The same census records the per capita income of the city to be at $16,174. About 23% of the city's population is below the Poverty Line. Education in the city is provided by the Vicksburg-Warren School District.
Some significant American personalities who resided within the vicinity of the city of Vicksburg are:
- William Wirt Adams, a Confederate Army Officer.
- Milt Hinton, jazz musician
- Willie Dixon, American Blues artist
- John “Kayo” Dottley, professional football player
- George McConnell, guitarist
| 