Australia, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Australia
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Former town
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 Australia
Location in Mississippi
Australia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Bolivar |
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Australia (sometimes called Australia Landing) was once a small town in Bolivar County, Mississippi, in the United States. It was located right on the Mississippi River. Today, nothing is left of the town.
History of Australia
Early Days
In 1857, a person named Andrew Jackson Donelson bought a huge piece of land, about 1,579 acres, in Australia. He was a 'planter,' which means he owned and managed a large farm, often growing crops like cotton.
The town had its own post office, which was open for many years, from 1858 until 1908. By the year 1900, only 38 people lived in Australia, making it a very small community.
Why Australia Disappeared
The main reason Australia disappeared was because of a change in the Mississippi River. A new path for the river, called the "Cessions Towhead Chute," was built. This new path made the old part of the river, where Australia was located, much smaller and harder for boats to use.
Because the river changed its course, Australia was left on a narrow channel that was no longer important for river travel. This meant that boats and trade no longer came to the town, and over time, the settlement faded away. Today, there are no buildings or signs left of the former town.
