Old Town, Calhoun County, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old Town, Mississippi
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Location of Old Town, Mississippi
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| Country | United States |
| State | Mississippi |
| County | Calhoun |
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 683376 |
Old Town, originally called Hartford, is a ghost town located in Calhoun County, Mississippi, United States. A ghost town is a place where people used to live, but now very few or no one lives there. Old Town was once a busy settlement along the Skuna River. It even served as the first county seat for Calhoun County.
Contents
History of Old Town
Early Days and Native Americans
Long ago, the land where Old Town now stands was home to the Chocchuma and Chickasaw Native American tribes. They had a village in this area. In the 1830s, after many Native American groups moved from their lands, new settlers arrived. The village then began to grow.
A Busy River Town
Old Town was once a very active place. A legislator named J.A. Orr described it as an "aspiring little city." It was important because it was at the top of the Skuna River where boats could travel. Many large boats carried hundreds of bales of cotton from Old Town. This cotton traveled all the way down the river to places like Greenwood and even New Orleans.
Some of the first families to settle here were the Enochs, Murphrees, Swoffords, Reagans, and Maxeys. The Enochs even owned a boat company. Their boats helped move the cotton and other goods.
Life in Old Town
Life in Old Town was busy. There was a post office where people could send and receive mail. A general store sold supplies, and a pottery shop made useful items. They created plates, bowls, and churns for daily life.
The first church in Old Town was known as "The Old Burnt Meetin’ House Place." Sadly, it burned down in 1845. Later, Old Town also had a camp ground and another Methodist church.
The County Seat Moves
In 1852, Calhoun County was officially formed. The first court meetings and government gatherings were held in Old Town. That same year, the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors took place in the Methodist Church. During this meeting, a big decision was made: the county seat would move to Pittsboro.
What Remains Today?
Even though Old Town is now a ghost town, some parts of its history still remain. The Old Town Church and the Old Town Cemetery can still be found there. There are also homes and farms along the nearby roads.
A post office operated in the area under two different names. It was called Hartford from 1852 to 1854. Later, it was known as Oldtown from 1896 to 1912.
