Old Augusta Historic Site, Archaeological site in Perry County, Mississippi
Old Augusta Historic Site is an archaeological site in Perry County, Mississippi, where foundation remains and artifacts reveal traces of a former town along the Leaf River. Walking through the woodland, you can spot concrete and brick ruins scattered among the trees that once formed government, commercial, and residential districts.
The settlement was founded in 1818 as Perry County's administrative center and hosted a United States General Land Office handling regional land transactions until 1906. The town declined when the Mobile, Jackson and Kansas City Railroad was built 2 miles south, prompting residents to relocate southward.
The location played a central role in the 1833 public sale of Choctaw cession lands, marking a significant period in Native American and settler relations.
The site sits within a wooded area and is accessible but requires sturdy shoes to navigate the uneven ground between trees. Visitors should bring insect repellent and water, as shade and facilities on site are limited.
A notable detail is the direct link between the town's decline and railroad construction, a pattern that shaped many American communities in the late 1800s. This example shows how infrastructure decisions could move entire settlements and leave behind archaeological layers for later discovery.
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