The History of Brandon
- Prior to European settlement, the area where Brandon now sits was near the north-south and east-west Indian trail crossing, making it the ideal place for council meetings and dances.
- European exploration brought traders, missionaries, and early settlers who camped near the current Town Square and Busick Store lot.
- In the early 1820s and 30s, the best overnight accommodations were at D. W. Wilkerson’s trading post, known today as the “Old Bible Homestead” on College Street.
- The government bought the land from the Indians. Then, in 1828 as settlement continued, 31 residents petitioned the Legislature to form a new county from the section of Hinds County east of the Pearl River.
- The bill was approved and signed by the Governor on February 4, 1828, for the new county, named Rankin in memory of Christopher Rankin, a distinguished lawyer and politician who served in the Mississippi Congress. The county seat was named Brandon to honor Governor Gerard Chittocque Brandon. Soon, a survey was completed, and Brandon was established as a municipality.
- The original 40-acre tract was 1,320- x 1,320-foot square. In 1835, five lots in the Square sold for $500. It was 1948 before a major boundary extension occurred. Then again in 1978, when Crossgates was annexed.
- In 1836, The Mississippi and Alabama Company was chartered to build a railroad from Jackson to Brandon. Due to the panic of 1837 and the completion of a bridge across the Pearl River, the railroad was not in use until 1850. The railroad was later relocated one mile north of Brandon where it runs today.
- During the Civil War, most of Brandon was burned by Union soldiers as Gen. Sherman marched his army from Jackson to Vicksburg.
- A Confederate soldier monument was placed at the center of Brandon in 1907 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The site is believed to be where Gen. Sherman had his soldiers stack arms while they occupied the town.
- Massive yellow fever outbreaks occurred during reconstruction years. 1878 was the worst, as many schools and churches closed. Brave citizens continued to rebuild and educate their children as the 19th century ended.
- Streetlights were installed in 1911, and in 1917, the City allocated a $5,000 bond issue at 6% interest for paving streets.
- Tragedy struck in November of 1924, as a fire destroyed most of downtown Brandon, including the courthouse.
- During the Great Depression of the 1930s, residents of Brandon did not feel the hunger as desperately as others, because it was an agrarian society, and the rich farmland provided enough for the local population to survive.
- Proud of its heritage, Brandon has offered Southern hospitality to many visitors over the years. Capitalizing on the theme of “Mississippi, The Hospitality State,” Brandon held yearly beauty contests to send representatives to the Miss Mississippi and Miss Hospitality contests.
- In 1959, Mary Ann Mobley became the “sweetheart” of the United States when she captured the crown of Miss America, the first Mississippian to accomplish this feat. Mary Ann later had a successful career on Broadway and made guest appearances on many popular television shows.
- In recent years, the City has been recognized as a high-quality small town, having twice been named as a Top 100 Small Town in America by Forbes
- As a result, growth and development pressures have motivated thoughtful study of how best to steward the City’s future. These efforts have included a Downtown Plan, comprehensive mobility plans, extensive park master planning and a comprehensive master plan.
Historic Sites
Tatum House
The Tatum House – built in 1860, located at 200 Pearl Street. It is told the home was used as a hospital during the Civil War.
The Cedars
The Cedars – built in 1869, located on Pearl Street near the Historic Brandon Cemetery. This Louisiana Cottage style home claims two “first home in Brandon” distinctions: 1) electric lights and 2) hardwood floors.
The Magnolias
The Magnolias – built by Maj. James Richardson Stevens in 1860, located on South College Street. This Greek Revival style home contains octagonal gazebos with lattice siding. Inside windows and door facings are done in the Grecian style with peaked architraves.
Ben Venue
Ben Venue – built in 1834 by Col. Ned Richardson, located on South College Street near Brandon Middle School. In 1882, the home became the residence of Mississippi’s Gov. Robert Lowry, and in 1896, Gov. A.J. McLaurin. It is said McLaurin passed away on the front porch in 1909, while serving as a U.S. Senator.
Historic Brandon Cemetary
Historic Brandon Cemetery – located on Hwy. 471 just north of Government Street. The cemetery has over 1,000 graves, with the earliest belonging to R.H. Lee Shaw, dating back to March 24, 1834. Two Revolutionary War soldiers, Lt. Thomas Shelton and Capt. Thomas Shelton Jr., both of Virginia, are interred there, as well as two former Mississippi governors, Anselm McLaurin and Robert Lowery.
