Old Bridgeport Road facts for kids
The Old Bridgeport Road is a very old and important road in Mississippi, United States. It was the first road built by the state of Mississippi through a new area. This area was known as the Choctaw Session, which the state got through a special agreement called the Treaty of Doak's Stand. The road was built between 1822 and 1825. It was named after a town that no longer exists, Bridgeport, which was located where the road crossed the Big Black River.
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A Busy Road in Early Mississippi
The Old Bridgeport Road became a federal Post Road. This meant it was used to deliver mail. By the 1840s, stagecoaches traveled on it every day. These coaches carried people and mail between Jackson, the state capital, and Vicksburg on the Mississippi River.
The Road During the Civil War
This road was very important during the American Civil War. Both Union and Confederate soldiers used it a lot. They marched on it before, during, and after the famous Siege of Vicksburg. They also used it when soldiers took over Jackson.
The Road's Decline and Preservation
After the Civil War ended, trains became a popular way to travel. People started using railroads more, especially in towns built near the tracks. Because of this, the Old Bridgeport Road was used less and less.
What's Left of the Old Road
Today, most of the original Old Bridgeport Road is gone. New, modern roads have been built over it. Other parts of the road have been left alone and are no longer used. However, there is one special section that is still in its original condition. It's about three-tenths of a mile long and is located north of Bolton, Mississippi.
A Special Landmark
This remaining part of the road is narrow and covered with gravel. It has high banks on the sides and old, tall live oak trees that form a canopy overhead. This beautiful section is now a special place. It is officially called a Mississippi Landmark.
Protecting the Historic Road
In 2003, there was a plan to widen and change this last original part of the road. But the Mississippi Department of Archives and History stepped in. They have the power to stop historic places from being destroyed, especially when public money is involved. This section of the road is very important because it is near several historic sites. These include an old Native American site, a camp used by the Union Army, the Holly Grove Plantation House (which is on the National Register of Historic Places), and an old African American cemetery.
Efforts to Save the Road
Because of the pressure to change the road, the Mississippi Heritage Trust added the Old Bridgeport Road to its "10 Most Endangered List" in 2005. This list helps bring attention to historic places that are at risk.
A New Path for Preservation
Later, a nearby landowner helped save the road. They gave land to the county to build a new road. This new road was built north of the Old Bridgeport Road. It gave people living in a small group of houses a new way to get around. Before, they had used the historic road. Once the new road was finished, the county no longer needed the Old Bridgeport Road. It then became private property. This means the Old Bridgeport Road will stay preserved in its historic condition for future generations to see.
