Oldest Slave Founded Town in Mississippi – Mound Bayou, Mississippi
Tracing history of the former slaves of the area can be an interesting journey. This journey may take you to Mound Bayou which was founded in 1887 by Isaiah T. Montgomery and his cousin, Benjamin T. Green. These two men were both former slaves of Joseph Emory Davis. The community is situated halfway between Vicksburg, Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee off of Highway 61. It is the oldest bastion of Black municipal government in the South. The community is also the oldest black city in the United States.
These two men had a dream of creating a U.S. Negro Town even before the Civil War. They wanted it to serve as a sanctuary for African-American families and culture.
Named after nearby Mississippian mounds, Mound Bayou was founded by Black settlers in conjunction with the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad, which was laying track through the area. Its founders were trying to escape post-Reconstruction violence and repression in the South by establishing their own community. Today, this essentially agricultural area remains 99.6% Black, the largest such municipality in the country.
Stop in for a visit, look at the historical buildings, see how the community functions and listen to the stories of the people that live here. It will be a nice stop on your vacation in Mississippi.
Contact: mound.bayou@yahoo.com
Phone: 662-641-0119, Pastor Darryl Johnson
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This was the best information I’ve found about Mound Bayou. My great grandfather Jack Vence was born there as well as my grandmother Leola (Nancy Vence) Wilson. I am really fascinated about any information concerning my family tree. I hope to one day visit there and find out more info and maybe even find some relatives. Thank You So Much! Constance
HELLO MOUNT BAYOU, I WAS BORN THERE OVER 36YRS AGO, I HAVE PLANS TO VISIT AND WOULD LIKE INFORMATION OF ANY KIND. I FEEL VERY PRIVILAGE TO HAVE BEEN BORN IN THIS VERY HISTORICAL TOWIN
I have forwarded your request for informaiton on to the Cleveland Chamber and asked that they contact you.
You should be proud of your home, it helps to define who we are and what we accomplish in life.
I just came from visiting in laws in Mound Bayou,they have been there over 70 yrs.Unfortunetely there is not much there anymore.But from what my mother in law said it use to be a nice place.I am white and from up north so it is some very interesting history to me.My husband and his sister’s and brother’s grew up picking cotton there,and these kids now and day’s wouldn’t be able to handle it
I WAS THE FIRST OF MY FAMILY TO BORN IN A HOSPITAL THERE. EVERY TIME I PASS THROUGH MOUND BAYOU I SPEAK THE NAME WITH GREAT HONOR. THERE IS NO OTHER CITY I HOLD IN HIGH REGARDS. SERGENT JAMES INMON
278TH CALVARY US ARMY
I am totally intrigued in finding answers to my family history. I think my Grandfather was born in Mount Bayou, but I know a great Aunt and Uncle lived there. My first train ride as a small child was to Mount Bayou with my Grandmother. Is there/was there ever a college in Mount Bayou?
I am from Moorhead Mississippi another historical small city. I just wish our state and federal government cared about historical places like Mound Bayou, Moorhead, Baird and other small cities or towns. They have slowly dying away along with their history especially the Blues history of the area. Our politician doesn’t seem to care, local, state, or Federal. No job is the main culprit, lack of capital.
As I write this I am in Greece employed by an American company, I will definitely return home to the Mississippi Delta to live once my overseas assignment is complete.
Companies, Wealthy people, invest in the Mississippi Delta.
Would you ever consider to display some pictures of Mound Bayou on the website. I read something about Mound Bayou in a book about plantations and I would enjoy viewing a few pictures of the city.
I, similar to another reader, was born in Mound Bayou. My oldest daughter was born in the Taborian Hospital also. When I was born, this was a time when MOST blacks were born at home by mid-wives. I was from Arcola and competed in spelling bees there as a kid during my mother’s membership in the Knights and Daughters of Tabor. I visited Mound Bayou on May 8, 2010 while attending a graduation down in Cleveland. Even though it is not like it used to be, I was impressed with the City Hall Building and the presence of a structured government. Hopefully, Mound Bayou will be around many more years so that some of us natives will continue to enjoy its legacy. Even with my humble start in the Mississippi Delta and challenges along the way, I have enjoyed some prosperity and very proud to call Mound Bayou my starting point in life!
i used to live in mound bayou in 1965 and we move from there when my brother was kill my the highway patrolman i still gose there every now and than but i will never live there again
i used to live in mound bayou in 1965 my family move from there after the highway patrolman kill my brother