Historical Marker

Irwin Russell

Marker installed: 1956
Marker provided by: Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Since 1949 the State Historical Marker program has identified and interpreted historic sites across Mississippi. More than one thousand markers can be found near buildings, battlefields, cemeteries, churches, temples, forts, homes, schools, and abandoned towns.

For tourists the markers may be their only glimpses into the state’s rich and varied history. For Mississippi communities the markers can be points of pride that memorialize locally important people and events.

State Historical Markers are privately sponsored and funded. Anyone may sponsor a marker. To qualify a site must have unique historical significance to the local community, the state, or the nation.

Mississippi played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many of the most important events of the movement, including the Freedom Rides and the March Against Fear, took place in Mississippi.
Mississippi random facts
Claiborne County, Mississippi has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s. The county was established in 1802 and named after William C.C. Claiborne, the first governor of Mississippi. It was originally a part of the Mississippi Territory, and saw significant growth in the years following its establishment.

During the antebellum period, Claiborne County became known for its thriving agricultural industry, particularly in the cultivation of cotton. The county was home to numerous large plantations worked by enslaved African-Americans. The county's economy revolved around these plantations, and the slave population grew rapidly. However, this period of prosperity was marred by the stark contrast between the wealthy plantation owners and the enslaved laborers who lived in extreme poverty and oppression.

The Civil War brought significant change to Claiborne County. The county saw its fair share of both Confederate and Union activity, as its strategic location along the Mississippi River made it a site of military importance. The economic impacts of the war were devastating for the county, as many plantations were destroyed and agricultural production declined.

Following the Reconstruction era, Claiborne County continued to face economic challenges, including the shift from an agricultural economy to a more industrial one. Today, the county is known for its natural beauty and historical significance, with several noted sites and landmarks that reflect its past. Although it has faced its share of hardships, Claiborne County remains a place of historical significance and cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Claiborne County, Mississippi.

  • 1795 - Claiborne County is established as a county in the Mississippi Territory.
  • 1802 - The county seat is established at Port Gibson.
  • 1861-1865 - The American Civil War deeply affects Claiborne County, with battles fought in the area and the county being occupied by Union forces for a significant portion of the war.
  • 1870s - A period of reconstruction and recovery begins for Claiborne County after the Civil War.
  • 1930s - Claiborne County, like the rest of the country, is heavily impacted by the Great Depression.
  • 1950s - The civil rights movement begins to gain momentum, and Claiborne County becomes a center for activism and voter registration efforts.
  • 1969 - The Claiborne County Civil Rights Movement Monument is erected in Port Gibson to honor the activists who fought for equality.
  • 2000s - Claiborne County continues to face economic challenges and a declining population, similar to many rural areas across the United States.