This One Creepy Ghost Town In Mississippi Is The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of
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Daniella DiRienzo
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A deserted town filled with dilapidated buildings and remnants of what once was, Rodney is the very definition of a ghost town. Located about 30 miles northeast of Natchez, the small town was once destined for big things, but a series of unfortunate events completely changed the fate of Rodney, leaving behind an eerily quiet town that appears to be frozen in time.
Originally known as Petit Gulf, Rodney can be found on territorial maps dating back to 1763. By 1828, Rodney was officially incorporated as a city, and was named in honor of the Territorial Judge, Thomas Rodney.
In 1843, Rodney lost a great deal of residents to a severe yellow fever epidemic. The outbreak was so devastating that it was reported in national newspapers, including "The Philadelphia Inquirer" and "National Gazette." Just four years later, yellow fever returned to Rodney.
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By the mid-1800s, the Jefferson County town was a bustling port city rivaling Natchez and Vicksburg. Steadily growing, Rodney reached 4,000 residents by 1860 and included banks, wagon makers, tinsmiths, barbers, doctors, dentists, general stores, hotels, saloons, pastry shops, the state’s first opera house, schools, churches, and two newspapers. The city was even slated to be the state’s capital at one point.
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In September of 1863, the Civil War’s presence in Rodney was undeniable and left a lasting impression. As the story goes, the Union gunboat Rattler was stationed at Rodney. Ignoring orders from an admiral, several sailors left the ship and headed to Rodney’s Presbyterian Church for Sunday service.
The presence of the Union soldiers didn’t go unnoticed. Before long, gunshots rang out in the church, which led to the crew of the Rattler returning fire on the town. During the battle, a cannonball was fired into the Presbyterian Church, remaining lodged in the church’s brick wall for some time. Eventually, the cannonball fell out but was replaced several years later.
Tragedy struck Rodney in 1869 when a huge fire engulfed a majority of the town. The following year, the Mississippi River changed course, which was devastating for the former port city, ultimately resulting in Rodney’s demise.
By 1930, Rodney’s life as a town was officially over after it was taken off the state register by Governor Theodore Bilbo. From that point on, Rodney’s population continued to dwindle. Today, there is only one serviceable road that runs in and out of Rodney... A secluded road lined with abandoned buildings, telling the frightening tale of the city that used to be.
Check out Mississippi’s infamous ghost town in the video below.
Regardless of how or why it was abandoned, the mere fact that Rodney officially qualifies as a ghost town is undeniably creepy. What do you think? Share your thoughts below.
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