When we hear the term “ghost town” we often think of books and movies but as it turns out they are more real than you might think. The state actually has several of these eerie ghost towns in Mississippi just waiting to be explored. So, if you don’t get creeped out too easily, check out the list below.

1. Bankston

Bankston Road, Bankston Rd, Mississippi 38651, USA
Natalie Maynor/Flickr
The town of Bankston, located in Choctaw County, was at one point a town filled with factories manufacturing supplies for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Being that the town was so strongly affiliated with the Confederacy, the Union Army saw Bankston as a threat and decided something must be done. So, shortly after midnight on December 30, 1864, 11 soldiers burned down all of the factories in the town. As of today, the town is still practically abandoned with the exception of an old cemetery. One of the more interesting ghost towns in Mississippi!

2. Rodney

Rodney, MI 49342, USA
Michael McCarthy/Flickr
Michael McCarthy/Flickr
At one time, the Jefferson County town was thriving with dozens of stores, banks, and two newspapers - even making it comparable to Natchez and Vicksburg. Eventually, however, the once booming town began a downward spiral partially due to the Mississippi River changing course after the Civil War. As if that weren’t bad enough, the town suffered two severe fires as well as the yellow fever epidemics of 1843 and 1898. Such a fascinating ghost town in Mississippi.

3. Plymouth

Lowndes County, MS, USA
RomeoEchoDelta / Wikipedia
Formed around 1819, this Lowndes County town was centered around the home of John Pitchlynn, an interpreter responsible for communicating with the Choctaw Indians on the United State’s behalf. Unfortunately for residents of Plymouth, the town was subject to repeated flooding. In just 20 short years, residents abandoned the town looking for a more ideal location to call home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, present day Plymouth includes a cemetery, village-site, and numerous abandoned buildings. An interesting abandoned town in Mississippi!

4. Electric Mills

Electric Mills, MS 39358, USA
Wikipedia
Not surprisingly, this town received its name because it was the site of one of the state’s first electric saw mills. In about 1910, the mill was opened and with it came a bustling economy. The town had a theater, doctor’s office, gas station, and many more businesses. It has even been reported that Electric Mills was home to about 1,000 residents. By the 1950’s the mill had been shut down which led to the town dwindling away. Such an interesting ghost town in Mississippi!

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5. Americus

Jackson County, MS, USA
The Historical Marker Database / website
The seat of Jackson County government from 1826 to 1870, Americus consisted of a courthouse, jail, and general store, which also served as the "Courthouse Post Office." It is believed that the small rural community, located just south of Cedar Creek, was made up mostly of poor farmers. Eventually, the county courthouse was moved to Brewer’s Bluff most likely because of the town being ideally located near the newly constructed railroad. Once the courthouse was relocated, the town of Americus just dwindled away. It was believed to be located just south of the Methodist Salem Campground. If you’re in Jackson County and looking for a ghost town near me, Americus may be closer than you think!

6. Brewton (a.k.a Brewer's Bluff)

Jackson County, MS, USA
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
At one time, this town seemed to be doing pretty well – it was a lumber town and the site of Jackson County’s second courthouse. Located near the west bank of the Pascagoula River, Brewton was reportedly comprised of stores, houses, a hotel and a bank. Today, all that remains is the basement of the courthouse which was allegedly burned down by the infamous outlaw James Copeland and his gang.

7. Gainesville

Gainesville, MS, USA
Hancock County Historical Society website
Hancock County Historical Society website
In the 1800s, Gainesville was a lively, bustling sawmill town in Hancock County. The town was one of the most prosperous in the area due to the lumber and shipping industries – that is until the railroad was introduced and utilized as the primary means of transportation. Since the area relied heavily on transportation by water, the railroad caused the town to quickly decline. Fast forward to the late 1950s, early 1960s at which point NASA came to the area and constructed a test site. At the time of construction, the town had less than 50 families and only one store. Due to construction of the test site, much of the area was cleared forcing the remainder of the residents to vacate their homes. One of the largest Mississippi ghost towns!

8. Holmesville

Waymarking
Starting out, it seemed as if Holmesville was on its way to becoming a well-known, busy town. Not only was the town the site of Mississippi’s First Territorial General Assembly, it also served as the county seat of Pike County from 1816 until 1875. While at its peak, Holmesville’s economy was booming with numerous hotels, stores, and saloons. The good times ended for the river town when the railroad came to the area causing many to forget about the river and, in turn, Holmesville. If you’re in Pike County and looking for an abandoned town near me, Holmesville is your nearby ghost town!

Are you going to make a trip to one of these ghost towns in Mississippi, or do you know of any other ghost towns in the state? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below! Read about more spooky ghost towns in Mississippi! And if you’re ready for a Mississippi road trips, don’t forget the snacks!

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More to Explore

Ghost Towns in Mississippi

Megan McDonald | October 06, 2023

What happened in Rodney, Mississippi?

Rodney, Mississippi, harbors a spooky aura rooted in its rich and tumultuous history, especially during the Civil War. A notable eerie tale involves the USS Rattler, a Union gunboat, and the Rodney Presbyterian Church. While Union sailors attended a service, Confederate forces captured them. A tense standoff ensued, with the Rattler firing a cannonball into the church, the remnants of which still exist today, adding to the town's haunted reputation. This near-ghost town's abandoned structures and silent streets further amplify its eerie atmosphere, with various unsubstantiated ghost stories and tales of paranormal activity circulating among visitors and enthusiasts.

Are there any ghost towns in Mississippi?

Like many states, there are several ghost towns in Mississippi, abandoned or semi-abandoned towns that have declined substantially in population. These towns often have remnants of buildings, structures, or other physical evidence of their once-active status. Here are a few examples:

  • Rodney: Rodney was once a bustling town and was nearly the capital of Mississippi. It's known for its historic buildings, including the Rodney Presbyterian Church, with a cannonball from the Civil War lodged in its facade.
  • West Point: This town was once a thriving community due to its location along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. However, when the waterway's route was altered, the town was left isolated and began to decline.
  • Bankston: Once known for its cotton mills and as a producer of snuff, Bankston is now largely abandoned, with a few structures and a cemetery as reminders of its past.
  • Nitta Yuma: This town has a rich history and a few remaining historic buildings, including the Nitta Yuma Historic District, but it has experienced a significant decline from its peak.
  • Rocky Springs: This town declined due to yellow fever, poor land management, and the Civil War. The Rocky Springs Methodist Church, the town's cemetery, and some remnants of former structures are what mainly remain.
  • Wahalak: Once a thriving lumber town, Wahalak declined after the depletion of the local timber resources and is now considered a ghost town.
  • Morgantown: Once a prosperous port town, Morgantown faced decline after the Mississippi River changed course. Some structures and a cemetery are what primarily remain of the town.

 

Ghost towns often have fascinating histories and can be interesting to explore, but always ensure that you respect private property and adhere to local laws and guidelines when visiting such locations.

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