Vicksburg, Mississippi: Small town charm, big history

Friday, 02 Feb, 2024 0

In addition to its unmistakable small town charm, Vicksburg, Mississippi is home to some unique and exciting history.

Expect historic homes, brick-paved streets, and views of the mighty Mississippi River.

One of the sweetest bits of Vicksburg history is as the home of the first ever Coca-Cola bottling plant in 1894.

The 130th anniversary of this momentous event and so much more will be happening in spring this year, making Vicksburg a dream destination for history buffs in 2024.

America’s favorite beverage

Coca-Cola was first bottled in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi on March 12, 1894. The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum was constructed in 1890 and initially used by the Biedenharn family as a wholesale candy company and a shoe store. Joseph Biedenharm was approached by Asa Griggs Candler, the founder of The Coca-Cola Company, and recommended Biedenharn’s Candy Company supply the area with the iconic syrup used the carbonated drink. From there, Joseph Biedenharn bottled the first Coca-Cola in 1894, which made the product more accessible around the country.

On March 11, 2024, Vicksburg will celebrate the 130th anniversary with a full week of celebrations. Festivities kick off with a Historic Marker Proclamation at the Coca-Cola Museum at 4:00 pm. The classic partnership of Coca-Cola and bourbon will be featured at a tasting event on March 14 at John Houston’s Fine Wine and Spirits. Visitors can take part in the Classic Sip Fest March 15-16 which will feature a sock hop, drive in movie, and stroll over the Mississippi River. More information on the Visit Hattiesburg website.

Sip and see history on a museum crawl

Vicksburg has six different museums within a one-mile radius focused on its rich history, the Civil War and the Mississippi. Through a self-guided walking tour, visitors will discover the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, site of the first Coca-Cola bottling, the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum which explores the river’s importance, and Catfish Row Museum: a cultural heritage experience. For more about Vicksburgߣs role in the Civil War, the Vicksburg Civil War Museum and Old Courthouse Museum feature a diverse collection of artifacts from the era. The Old Depot Museum is home to an expansive diorama of the Siege of Vicksburg, and the USS Cairo – a Union gunboat that sank in 1862 – is now displayed at Vicksburg National Military Park.

https://www.visitvicksburg.com/

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of...

Chargebacks911 offers scalable solutions that are customized for any business of any size in any industry. With the flexibility to...

Jet2.com is the UK’s third largest airline, flying from ten UK airports to more than 60 destinations across Europe and beyond....

Ensuring our guests have an unforgettable experience while sailing with us is paramount; however, your health and safety remains our...

Local spices spike the fragrant air of Morocco. Cradled by the dunes of the Sahara, the Kingdom has been inhabited...

The State of Michigan is blessed with the riches of unspoiled nature: the nation’s longest freshwater coastline, lakes that feel like...

We are the UK’s leading Canada travel experts Canadian Affair Company Information Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an...

Home to America’s Best Beaches, a vibrant arts community and amazing outdoor experiences, St. Pete/Clearwater is a sunny destination that...

City Cruises is a leading operator of sightseeing, dining and charter services operating in London, York and Poole. We offer...

From the Tel Aviv beach scene to the shores of the Dead Sea, Israel layers diverse cultures, outdoor adventures, and...

Welcome to Qatar Airways Qatar Airways is proud to be one of the youngest global airlines to serve all...

A state like no other. A place known for togetherness, celebration and happiness. In Louisiana, we call it “joie de...

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying...

If you’re thinking of cruising, there’s a very good chance you’re considering a Carnival cruise. Growing since our founding in...

Queensland – where it’s rude not to stare Here in Queensland, there’s plenty to do. But there’s even more to...

ECOMMPAY is an international payment service provider and direct bank card acquirer, engineering bespoke payment solutions for clients worldwide. Our...

In 2024, The Red Sea will be ready to welcome 300,000 guests in line with the completion of 16 hotels...

Family-owned Olympic Holidays has been arranging holidays to Greece, the Greek islands and Cyprus for more than half century. The company is unrivalled...