Mississippi's first city was built before the Magnolia State existed

Mississippi has a long, complex history . The area now known as the Magnolia State spent time under French, British and Spanish rule before becoming a U.S. territory in 1798. Did you know the oldest city is older than the state itself? Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years before European settlers came.

Rene-Robert, Cavalier de La Salle, first claimed the river basin for France in 1682, calling it Louisiana to honor King Louis XIV. According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History , there were attempts to colonize Mississippi with outposts, including Fort Maurepas near Biloxi.

The first private charter was issued in 1712 to Anthony Crozat, who gave it back in 1717. The charter then went to John Law and the Mississippi Company that year. By 1721, the