Grand Gulf Military State Park facts for kids
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Grand Gulf Military State Park
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Confederate Memorial Chapel, built in 1868, was moved to Grand Gulf Military State Park from Rodney, Mississippi in 1983.
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Port Gibson |
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| Area | 400 acres (160 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000689 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1972 |
Grand Gulf Military State Park is a special place in Mississippi. It's located about 10 miles northwest of Port Gibson. This park is found in what used to be the town of Grand Gulf. Today, Grand Gulf is known as a ghost town, meaning it's mostly deserted.
The park covers 400 acres and holds important history from the American Civil War. It includes the remains of two old forts. These forts were used to defend against attacks during the war. The park is recognized as a National Register of Historic Places site and a Mississippi Landmark.
Contents
Welcome to Grand Gulf Military State Park!
Grand Gulf Military State Park is a unique spot where history comes alive. It's a state park in Claiborne County, Mississippi. The park helps us remember important events from the Civil War. It also shows us what life was like in a busy river town long ago.
A Look Back: The Town of Grand Gulf
Before the war, Grand Gulf was a busy port town on the Mississippi River. Boats would stop here to load and unload goods. It was an important place for trade and travel.
However, the town faced tough times during the Civil War. It was burned down during the conflict. After the war, the Mississippi River also changed its path. This meant boats could no longer easily reach Grand Gulf. Because of these changes, the town slowly became empty. Today, it is known as a ghost town.
The Civil War Battle at Grand Gulf
Grand Gulf played a key role in the Civil War. In 1863, Ulysses S. Grant, a famous Union general, tried to move his army across the Mississippi River. He wanted to capture the city of Vicksburg. To do this, he needed to get past Grand Gulf.
Forts Cobun and Wade: Protecting the River
The Confederate army had built two strong forts at Grand Gulf. These were called Fort Cobun and Fort Wade. They were made of earthworks, which are walls built from dirt. These forts had powerful cannons. Their job was to stop Union ships from moving up or down the river.
On April 29, 1863, Union gunboats attacked the forts. The cannons at Fort Cobun and Fort Wade fired back. The battle lasted for many hours. The Confederate forces successfully stopped General Grant's ships. They were not able to cross the river at Grand Gulf that day.
General Grant's Challenge
Even though he was stopped at Grand Gulf, General Grant did not give up. He moved his army further south. The next day, he found another place to cross the river. This led to the Battle of Port Gibson. After winning that battle, Grant used Grand Gulf as his main base. From here, he planned his next moves in the war.
What Can You Explore at the Park Today?
Today, Grand Gulf Military State Park is a great place to visit. You can explore the remains of Fort Cobun and Fort Wade. You can see the earthworks where the cannons once stood.
The park also has a museum. Here, you can learn more about the Civil War and the history of Grand Gulf. There are also restored buildings that show what the town looked like. You can visit the Grand Gulf Cemetery, which holds the graves of people from the past.
For those who love the outdoors, the park offers hiking trails. There's also an observation tower where you can get a great view of the area. If you want to stay longer, there are campgrounds and picnic areas. It's a perfect spot to learn about history and enjoy nature.
Images for kids
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Overview of the Fort Wade earth works.
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Ammunition magazine at Fort Wade. The magazine was excavated in the late 1970s.
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Remaining earth works of Fort Cobun.
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Observation tower at Grand Gulf Military Park
