The Natchez Trace Parkway might be the most famous historic route in the state, but it’s not the only one. Old Bridgeport Road is another. Unchanged since the 1800s and loaded with history, it’s one of the state’s best relics from the past.

Old Bridgeport Road is in the small town of Bolton.

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It’s named for the now-defunct community of Bridgeport.

John Matthews/Google

The narrow, unpaved road extends about 3/10 of a mile. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s actually a designated Mississippi Landmark.

Natalie Maynor/Wikimedia

What makes it so special? Well, for starters, it’s the first route built by the state through the frontier region, once known as the Choctaw Session.

Public Domain/Wikimedia
In 1822, the state legislature recognized the need for a route from the capital, Jackson, to the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, and so, Old Bridgeport Road was built.

By the 1840s, Old Bridgeport Road gained status as a Post Road and boasted stagecoach service.

Georges Jansoone (JoJan)/Wikimedia Using Old Bridgeport Road, a stagecoach travelled between Jackson and Vicksburg, twice a day.

During the Civil War, the road served as a thoroughfare for both Union and Confederate troops.

Library of Congress/Wikimedia The road saw exceptionally large crowds in 1865, when it was used by Union soldiers on their way to board the Sultana.

As traffic shifted to railroad communities, Old Bridgeport Road fell into decline, and by 2005, there were plans to bulldoze and widen it.

Gilbert Thompson/Wikimedia When news of the road’s impending demolition spread, it was named one of “the top 10 most endangered historic Mississippi properties.” Not only is the road itself historically significant, but it abuts a recognized Native American site, a Union Army camp, and the Holly Grove Plantation.

Luckily, the Mississippi Heritage Trust deemed Old Bridgeport Road a landmark, and as a designated landmark, the 19th century road, which has never been paved, widened, or straightened, will remain in its original state for the foreseeable future.

Wow! So much history has unfolded along this historic route! Want to know the exact locale of Old Bridgeport Road? Click here to view it on a map.

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John Matthews/Google

Natalie Maynor/Wikimedia

Public Domain/Wikimedia

In 1822, the state legislature recognized the need for a route from the capital, Jackson, to the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, and so, Old Bridgeport Road was built.

Georges Jansoone (JoJan)/Wikimedia

Using Old Bridgeport Road, a stagecoach travelled between Jackson and Vicksburg, twice a day.

Library of Congress/Wikimedia

The road saw exceptionally large crowds in 1865, when it was used by Union soldiers on their way to board the Sultana.

Gilbert Thompson/Wikimedia

When news of the road’s impending demolition spread, it was named one of “the top 10 most endangered historic Mississippi properties.” Not only is the road itself historically significant, but it abuts a recognized Native American site, a Union Army camp, and the Holly Grove Plantation.

Luckily, the Mississippi Heritage Trust deemed Old Bridgeport Road a landmark, and as a designated landmark, the 19th century road, which has never been paved, widened, or straightened, will remain in its original state for the foreseeable future.

So, did you know about Old Bridgeport Road? Know of another historic roadway in the state? Tell us!

This isn’t the only pathway in the state that’s steeped in history. Click here to read about another.

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Address: Old Bridgeport Road, Old Bridgeport Rd, Mississippi 39041, USA