Downtown Brandon Historic District facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids |
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Downtown Brandon Historic District
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | E and W Government Sts from Timber St to College St, 100 blocks of N College St and Black St, Brandon, Mississippi |
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| NRHP reference No. | 10000926 |
| Added to NRHP | November 18, 2010 |
The Downtown Brandon Historic District is a special area in Brandon, Mississippi. It's like the heart of the city, filled with historic buildings and local businesses. This district covers about ten acres, mostly along East and West Government Street. It also includes parts of North College Street and Black Street, where you can find places like St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Purvis House, and a historic African American Theater. This important district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. Two other famous spots within the district are also on the National Register: the Rankin County Confederate Monument and the Rankin County Courthouse.
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Discovering Downtown Brandon's History
Today, the Downtown Brandon Historic District is mostly a busy commercial area. You'll find many local shops and businesses here. There's also a community theater and buildings for the local government. Some homes and a church are also part of this historic area. Most of the buildings you see were built between 1929 and 1950. Some have been updated with a more modern look over the years.
A big fire happened in 1924. It destroyed much of the downtown area. This included the original Rankin County Courthouse. A famous architect named Noah Webster Overstreet, Jr. rebuilt the courthouse. It later became a protected historic site. One special building survived the fire: the Ohleyer Building. Many believe it is the oldest building still standing in downtown Brandon.
The Rankin County Courthouse
The Rankin County Courthouse is a very important building in the district. It serves as the center for local government and legal activities. The original courthouse was destroyed in the 1924 fire. The new one was built soon after. It stands as a symbol of the community's strength.
The Confederate Monument
The Rankin County Confederate Monument is another historic landmark. It is located within the district. Monuments like this often tell stories about the past. They help us remember important events and people from history.
Exploring the Purvis House
The Purvis House is a two-story building. You can find it on North College Street. This house was built in 1924. Today, it is used as offices for a local lawyer. It's a great example of the homes from that time.
The Amazing Ohleyer Building
The Ohleyer Building is truly special. It was built before the Civil War. A family of French immigrants constructed it. The building's history isn't fully known. However, old stories from long-time residents tell us about its creation.
One story says the building cost $6,000 to build. That was a huge amount of money back then! The builder supposedly found local rocks. He then hauled them to town and shaped each one himself. He built the walls two feet thick using solid rock and cement. People think it was the first two-story building in Brandon. This building was one of the few that survived the big fire in 1924. It is still believed to be the oldest structure in the downtown district.
The African American Theater
The historic African American Theater is also part of the district. It is now known as the Black Rose Theater. This theater has played an important role in the community's cultural life.
