Ashland, Jefferson County, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashland, Mississippi
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 Ashland, Jefferson County, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Ashland, Jefferson County, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Jefferson |
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 691671 |
Ashland (also known as Ashland Landing) is what we call a ghost town in Jefferson County, Mississippi, United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now almost no one lives there anymore. Ashland was once an important spot right on the Mississippi River.
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What is a Ghost Town?
A ghost town is a place that was once a busy community but is now mostly empty. This can happen for many reasons. For example, a local industry might close down. Or, a river might change its path, making a town less important. Ashland became a ghost town after its role as a river landing faded away.
Location of Ashland
Ashland was located in Jefferson County, Mississippi. It was right on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Being on the river made it a key spot for boats and trade a long time ago.
A Funny Story About President Taylor
Ashland was near a large farm called Cypress Grove Plantation. This farm was bought in 1840 by a man named Zachary Taylor. He later became a very important person: the future President of the United States!
The Steamer Surprise
In 1849, after Taylor was elected president, a big, fancy boat called the Tennessee was sent to pick him up. It was supposed to take him from Ashland Landing to Vicksburg. In Vicksburg, he was going to attend several special parties.
A Friend's Clever Trick
But something funny happened before dawn. Another boat, the Saladin, arrived at Ashland Landing first. The Saladin's captain was Tom Coleman, a 24-year-old. He was a friend of the Taylor family. Captain Coleman really wanted the honor of taking the president-elect to Vicksburg himself!
Taylor's Reaction
No one noticed the trick at first. Taylor's helpers eventually found out what happened. They woke Taylor, who had been sleeping soundly in the Saladin's special room. When he heard about the switch, Taylor just laughed! He said the Tennessee would catch up in Vicksburg, and he could just switch boats there. It was a good-natured prank!
