Washington, Mississippi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington, Mississippi
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Historical plaque at Washington
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| Nickname(s):
"Versailles"
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 Washington, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Washington, Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Mississippi |
| County | Adams |
| Elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
39190
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| GNIS feature ID | 679358 |
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Washington is a small place in Adams County, Mississippi, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community," which means it's a town that doesn't have its own local government like a city does.
Washington is located about 6 miles (10 km) east of Natchez, near the Mississippi River. It was once a very important place because it served as the second and longest-running capital of the Mississippi Territory.
Contents
History of Washington
Long ago, the land around the Mississippi River was home to many Native American groups. When Europeans first arrived, the Natchez people lived here. They were part of an older culture that built large earth mounds.
After the American Revolution, European Americans began to settle in this area. They named the new town "Washington" to honor George Washington, who was a very important leader. Some of the first people to settle here included Colonel Andrew Ellicott, Joseph Calvit, and John Foster.
Becoming the Capital
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Washington became the capital of the Mississippi Territory on February 1, 1802. This meant it was the main city where the territory's government met.
A very important meeting happened in Washington in 1817 at the Methodist Meeting House. This was where Mississippi's first constitution was written and approved. A constitution is a set of rules for how a government will work. After Mississippi officially became a state in 1817, its first state legislature also met here.
Later, the capital was moved to Jackson in 1822. This was done because Jackson was more in the center of the state, making it easier for people from all over Mississippi to reach.
Fort Dearborn
Washington was also home to Fort Dearborn, a large military base. For a while, it was the biggest military camp in the United States, with over 2,000 soldiers. Famous people like Brigadier General Leonard Covington and future General Winfield Scott were stationed there. The fort was built in 1802 to protect the new capital of the Mississippi Territory.
A Notorious Event
In 1879, a famous group of outlaws, led by Jesse James, visited Washington. They took money from two stores in the area. After this, they hid in some old cabins. A group of law enforcement officers found them, and a fight happened where some of the outlaws were killed. Jesse James himself was not captured that day and lived for a few more years.
Places to See in Washington
Historic Buildings
Washington has several important historic buildings.
- Elizabeth Female Academy: This school was started in Washington in 1818 and is thought to be the first college for women in Mississippi. It offered college degrees for many years before it closed in 1845.
- Clear Creek Baptist Church: Built in 1825, this is one of the oldest churches in Mississippi.
- Washington Methodist Church: This is another historic church in the town.
These churches were very important to the community, especially since many people living in the area were enslaved workers on cotton farms. Both Baptist and Methodist churches welcomed enslaved people and sometimes even had Black preachers.
Jefferson College
Jefferson College, now called Historic Jefferson College, is a state park and museum. It was created by the Mississippi Territory government in 1802 and named after Thomas Jefferson, who was the U.S. President at the time. Even though it was started in 1802, it didn't open as a school until 1811.
Jefferson College was a school for boys for 153 years, preparing them for college. It closed in 1964. Many important people attended or taught there. For example, Jefferson Davis, who later became the president of the Confederate States, went to Jefferson College when he was 10 years old in 1818. The famous artist and bird expert John James Audubon also taught there from 1822 to 1823.
Washington in Movies
Washington has been a filming location for several movies!
- The Heart of Maryland (1921): A silent movie about the Civil War.
- The Horse Soldiers (1959): A Civil War film starring John Wayne, directed by John Ford.
- The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993): Parts of this Disney movie were filmed here and in Natchez.
Notable People from Washington
- Thomas Affleck (1812–1868): A Scottish-American expert in gardening and plants.
- Bill Allain (1928–2013): He was the 59th governor of Mississippi from 1984 to 1988.
