Grand Gulf
Three Disasters, One Town
State: Mississippi
County: Claiborne County
Founded: 1833
Abandoned: 1876
Peak Population: 1,000
Grand Gulf was a bustling Mississippi River port with 1,000 residents. Then came an 1855 tornado, an 1858 flood that shifted the river, and Civil War bombardment. By 1876, only ruins remained. A military park now preserves the Civil War fortifications.
River Port
Grand Gulf was Mississippi's third-largest city, a major cotton shipping point on the Mississippi River.
Triple Disaster
A tornado in 1855, a flood that moved the river in 1858, and Union bombardment in 1863 destroyed the town utterly.
Timeline
- 1833 - Founded Town established
- 1855 - Tornado Town destroyed
- 1858 - Flood River shifted away
- 1863 - Civil War Union bombardment
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 2 hours
Quick Facts
- Was Mississippi's third-largest city
- River moved away from the town
- Civil War fortifications preserved
Location
Address: Grand Gulf Military Park, Mississippi
Coordinates: 32.0297, -91.0583