Fannin, Mississippi facts for kids

Fannin is a small, rural area in northwest Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. It's close to bigger cities like Jackson, Flowood, Brandon, and Ridgeland. Fannin is near the Pearl River, which is now part of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, and Pelahatchie Creek.

Long ago, Native American tribes lived here. Later, Fannin grew into a busy farming town after the American Civil War. But over time, things changed. The railroads became less important, the Pearl River was dammed, and people moved to bigger cities. This caused Fannin to become a quiet, mostly residential area, though a few small shops are still there.

Fannin's Early Beginnings

The land where Fannin is today was first home to the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. After Mississippi became a state in 1817, these tribes moved to Oklahoma. Then, in the 1830s, new settlers from the Carolinas claimed land here.

These early settlers came to Fannin because it had lots of land for grazing animals, plenty of timber, and natural springs. Over about 60 years, these first families shared their land with more settlers. This helped the population grow. By 1900, Fannin had strong timber and farming industries.

The Town of Fannin

Around 1840, people started to see Fannin as a real town. They even called it the "little city" of Fannin. A local story says the town got its name from a soldier named Fannin who died in a house fire.

A small town center grew with schools, churches, stores, and other businesses. These were located near the large farms and homes of the landowners. Farming was still very important. But as the 1900s approached, sawmills, timber mills, cotton gins, and livestock businesses also grew.

Education in Old Fannin

Schools were built for the children of wealthy landowners. Separate schoolhouses were also kept for the children of enslaved people and free Black residents. A community college was even started by a local group called the Masons.

This college had a special silver bell in its tower. It was made from 200 silver dollars donated by rich residents. The sound of this bell ringing was a famous part of the Fannin community. But the bell was lost or stolen when the college moved in the early 1900s.

New Fannin and Its Decline

The 1920s brought big changes to Fannin. New railroad lines were built just west of the original town. A train station was built there to serve towns like Jackson and Union. Many businesses, including the Masonic college, moved three miles west to be closer to the train line.

This new area became known as "New Fannin." While the railroad made it easier to reach nearby cities, it also started the slow decline of the town's population. Businesses moved away from the old town center. School children also began attending schools outside of Fannin. Slowly, the original town of Fannin faded away. New Fannin never became as busy and successful as "Old Fannin" once was.

Fannin Today

From about 1930 until now, Fannin changed from a busy town to a rural farm community. Today, it's mostly a name on a map that local people know. A few churches and businesses still stand at the intersection of Fannin Landing Circle and Highway 471. These mark what's left of the old town center.

A major reason for Fannin's decline was the mid-1950s. The railroad line was removed. Then, the Pearl River was dammed to create the Ross Barnett Reservoir. This was done to provide drinking water for Jackson.

Changes in Land Use

At that time, a state group called the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD) was created. They managed the new land around the reservoir. Land for building homes became much more valuable than land for farming or timber. So, land sales focused on building new houses in the countryside.

Today, Fannin residents go to nearby cities like Jackson, Flowood, Brandon, and Ridgeland for shopping and services. Children attend Rankin County Schools in Brandon. With better roads and transportation, a full town center in Fannin became unnecessary. Now, Fannin is mainly an intersection of two country roads, surrounded by some old farmhouses and many modern homes.