Rodney, Mississippi

Rodney, Mississippi was a city in Jefferson County in southwest Mississippi, approximately 32 miles northeast of Natchez. Rodney was founded in 1828, and in the 19^th century, it was only three votes away from becoming the capital of the Mississippi Territory.cite web |url=http://www.southpoint.com/states/ms/rodney.htm |title=Ghost Town of Rodney |accessdate = 2008-07-08 |publisher=Southpoint Travel Guide] Its population declined to zero after the Mississippi River changed course.

Infobox_nrhp | name =Rodney, Mississippi
nrhp_type =nhl
designated= 1980cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
added = 1980
governing_body = Private
refnum=80002255

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Rodney, Mississippi
nickname = Petit Gouffre, "Little Gulf"
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Mississippi
subdivision_name2 = Jefferson
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1828
population_as_of = 2008
population_footnotes =
population_total = 0
population_historical = 500
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi =
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 31 | latm = 51.824 | latNS = N
longd = 91 | longm = 11.888 | longEW = W

Early history

Rodney was originally settled by the French Jan 1763, and named Petit Gouffre, meaning "Little Gulf". As a result of the French and Indian War, the area was taken by Great Britain. Spain would later control this area after taking West Florida from the British in 1781. Spain would hold the site until selling it to Thomas Calvit in 1798. The city was later renamed to Rodney in 1828 in honor of Judge Thomas Rodney.Fact|date=July 2008

tructures and city layout

The Old Rodney Presbyterian Church was dedicated in 1832. It is located at the northern section of the town. At the south edge of the town is a Sacred Heart Catholic Church built in 1869. On the southeast corner of Rodney lies Alston's Grocery, operated by the Alston family since 1915. [cite web |url=http://www.civilwaralbum.com/vicksburg/rodney.htm |title=Rodney, Mississippi|accessdate = 2008-07-08 |publisher=Civil War Album] In the northeast corner of the town is a small park where regular band concerts were held by the Jefferson County Band.Fact|date=July 2008 On the northwest corner are remains of a wooden drugstore. West of Alston's Grocery is one surviving structure on Batchelor street. Located at the southwest corner is a two-story brick structure. At the western end of Batchelor street is the Rodney Baptist Church, a white frame structure combining several styles of architecture.

Culture

Rodney was noted for its high level of culture, county fairs and business activity. Rodney once contained two banks, two newspapers, 500 people and 35 stores, artists, theatre, lecture hall, schools, debating society, churches, jockey club and thespian groups. Cottonseed development, riverboat landings, taverns and high literacy made Rodney a leading river town.

Among the businesses fronting on Commerce and Magnolia Streets were banks, wagon makers, tinsmiths, barbers, doctors, dentists, general mercantile stores, hotels, saloons, and pastry shops.

Civil War effects

In June 1863, 40 Union cavalry troops were disembarked in Rodney to launch a surprise raid on Confederate-controlled Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The Confederates would later capture the Union troops in September 1864. After the fall of Vicksburg, the Union Navy was left in charge of the Mississippi River. The Union gunboat "Rattler" was stationed in front of Rodney to ensure the Union had control of this important town. The admiral left strict orders that no sailor was to leave the ship, but on Sunday 12 September 1863, 22 sailors a lieutenant, and a captain left the ship dressed in their best uniforms, and quietly seated themselves in the congregation. As the second hymn was being sung, a Lt. Allen of the Confederate Cavalry walked up the aisle to the pulpit. Apologizing to the Reverend Baker, he turned and announced his men had surrounded the building and demanded the Yankee sailors surrender. One of the Yankee sailors jumped behind a door and took a shot at Lt. Allen. General melee' broke out and most of the citizens dove under their pews for safety. One Yankee sailor hid in the undergarments of his local southern girlfriend. One older lady, however, would not run. She stood on her pew and shouted "Glory to God!" A skeleton crew had remained on board the Rattler, and when they heard the commotion began firing their guns at the church. The church and four homes were hit. It was on this day that a cannonball lodged itself in the front wall of the Presbyterian Church. The Confederate Army had taken 17 prisoners, including the lieutenant and captain. The crew of the Rattler became the laughingstock of the nation, for it was the first time in history a small squad of cavalry captured the crew of an ironclad gunboat.

To eliminate all Confederate presence in Rodney, Union infantrymen landed in Rodney and plundered almost every house in town. Citizens of Rodney later formed Company D. 22nd Mississippi infantry to fight against the Union army.

Famous people

Rodney was host to many notable visitors, including Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and Zachary Taylor.Fact|date=July 2008 Taylor was so taken by the area that he purchased Cypress Grove Plantation, complete with 81 slaves. It was at this time that Taylor's daughter, Sarah, eloped with Lt. Jefferson Davis, much to her father's dismay. Taylor's property, which was located south of Rodney, would later cave in and fall into the Mississippi River.

Although Rodney entertained some important political figures, one of its own residents made quite a name for himself. Dr. Haller Nutt, a native of Virginia, came to Rodney in 1815. It would be Dr. Nutt who led the south to become the cotton kingdom of the world. His contributions were two-fold. The cotton seed being used in the area had developed a rot that destroyed half-the crop. His extensive research led him to develop new methods to grow cotton. A new strain of cotton called "Egypto-Mexican" cotton was more resilient.

Haller Nutt also improved Eli Whitney's cotton gin. By connecting the gin to steam power, it became a practical and useful piece of equipment.

Haller Nutt's never-finished Natchez home, Longwood, was the last burst of southern opulence before war brought the cotton barons' dominance to an end. Longwood, fortunately, survived decades of neglect and near-abandonment to become one of Natchez's most popular attractions. Dr. Nutt's son, Haller, grew up at Laurel Hill, Dr. Nutt's house, just east of Rodney. Laurel Hill's fate was not so kind.

Rodney in the 21st Century

The town of Rodney was abolished by the governor in 1930, [cite web |url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7WZ |title=Rodney, Mississippi - Ghost Towns|accessdate = 2008-07-09 |publisher=Waymarking.com] however people still lived there until it was abandoned on July 29, 1966 due to an unknown natural disaster.Fact|date=July 2008 Since then is has been taken over by a small local hunting community that will occasionally pass through the deserted town.

American Indians

Early maps dating back to 1715 suggest that the site where Rodney stands today was originally a location where local American Indians crossed the Mississippi.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6336]
* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msjeffer/rodney.htm]