National Register Listing

Brandon Hall

NE of Washington on U.S. 61, Washington, MS
Brandon Hall is perhaps the grandest of the extant antebellum plantation houses of Adams County, Mississippi, where most mansions were built as townhouses or suburban villas for Natchez planters whose plantations were across the Mississippi River in Louisiana or upriver in the Mississippi Delta. The house gains further significance as the most outstanding frame mansion in the county and as the residence of the Brandon family, original members of the county cotton aristocracy.

Brandon Hall was built by Gerard Brandon and his wife, Charlotte Smith Brandon (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi (Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1891], II, 817). Documentary (Ibid.) and stylistic evidence place the date of construction at 1856. The frame construction and vernacular use of Grecian motifs combine to make the house more typical of the mansions of neighboring Jefferson and Claiborne counties than of the brick mansions of Adams County. Gerard Brandon was the son of Gov, Gerard Chittoque Brandon, who was born in Adams County in 1788 and served as Mississippi's first native-born governor (1825-1832). The Brandons were among the leading families of Adams County, an area in which leadership changed little from 1788 to 1860. After the deaths of Gerard Brandon and his wife in the 1870s, the house became the residence of principally Aaron Stanton and his wife, Elizabeth, Gerard Brandon's daughter. (Aaron Stanton was the son of David Stanton, who added the ca. 1850 wing to the Elms, a National Register of Historic Places property.) The house remained in the possession of Brandon descendants until 1914, when it was lost because of a mortgage foreclosure (Adams Co., Miss., Deed Book 4E:118). In 1970, Brandon Hall was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond St. Germaine, who have restored the house.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

In 1963, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. His killer, Byron De La Beckwith, was not convicted until 1994.
Mississippi random facts
Adams County, Mississippi, has a rich and intriguing history that dates back to the early 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by different Native American tribes, including the Natchez and Choctaw. In 1716, it was settled by the French, who established Fort Rosalie as a trading post. Eventually, the territory came under Spanish control in 1779, and in 1798, the United States acquired the region through the Treaty of San Lorenzo.

During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development, driven by the establishment of the city of Natchez as a major trading center. Natchez became known for its prosperous cotton plantations and the large number of wealthy plantation owners who resided in the area. The county's economy thrived mainly due to the labor-intensive cultivation of cotton, which relied heavily on enslaved African Americans.

However, the dark legacy of slavery and the Civil War also left a lasting impact on Adams County. Prior to the war, Natchez was considered one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. With the onset of the conflict, the county faced immense hardships, including destruction, economic decline, and loss of life. Many historic buildings were damaged or destroyed during the war, but some survived, giving Adams County a rich architectural heritage that attracts visitors to this day.

In the years following the Civil War, Adams County and Natchez slowly recovered and adapted to the changing times. The agricultural economy shifted to other crops, such as tobacco and corn, while industries like lumber mills and shipyards emerged. Additionally, tourism began to play an essential role in the local economy, with visitors drawn to the historical significance and cultural heritage of the area.

Today, Adams County continues to be a place of historical and cultural significance, preserving its past while embracing the opportunities of the present. Visitors can explore the beautiful antebellum homes, visit museums and art galleries, and experience the unique southern charm that sets this historic county apart.

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

  • 1799: Adams County is formed from parts of Pickering and Washington counties.
  • 1802: Natchez becomes the county seat of Adams County.
  • 1809: The construction of forks of the road begins, linking Natchez to Nashville.
  • 1812: Adams County's population reaches 8,119.
  • 1817: Mississippi becomes a state, and Adams County is part of the new state.
  • 1824: The State Bank of Mississippi is established in Natchez.
  • 1833: Bellevue, the oldest building in Natchez, is constructed.
  • 1841: The Great Natchez Tornado strikes, killing hundreds and causing significant damage.
  • 1861: The American Civil War begins, and Adams County plays a significant role in the conflict.
  • 1876: Southern Christian Institute, now known as Alcorn State University, is founded in Lorman.
  • 1890: The Adams County Courthouse, known for its impressive architecture, is completed.
  • 1966: The Natchez National Historical Park is established, preserving the area's history.
  • 2010: Adams County's population is recorded at 32,297.