Port Gibson Heritage Trust
Port Gibson Heritage Trust
PO Box 751
Port Gibson, MS 39150-0751
The Fight
This legislation authorizes MDOT to build new roadbeds where necessary, although MDOT is empowered to use exisiting roadways provided such highways are "constructed to current highway standards for such roadways". The current US Highway 61 passes directly through Port Gibson along Church Street.
Congressman Thompson Expresses Opposition to MDOT Plan!
Recently, in a meeting with Trust attorneys, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) expressed his opposition to the MDOT plan to route the new Highway 61 down Church Street in Port Gibson. In a letter to Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall, Congressman Thompson urged the Mississippi Highway Commission to find a viable alternative to the Church Street routing.
Department of Archives and History Takes A Stand!
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has passed a resolution opposing MDOT's current plans for Port Gibson.
History of the Controversy
For 20 years, MDOT has been studying possible alternatives and bypasses for routing the new US Highway 61 through or around Port Gibson. Although the community at large has been divided over the best route, there has always been a general consensus that keeping the highway on Church Street was the LEAST desirable alternative.
On May 3, 2000 the then Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Port Gibson adopted a resolution approving and recommending one of the proposed bypass routes, and, in the alternative, any other alternate route lying to the east of the existing Highway 61 and to the west of the Natchez Trace Parkway, which runs from the Northeast to the Southwest, crossing US Highway 61 south of Port Gibson.
A September 12, 2002 letter to MDOT from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History states, in part: "We strongly urge the avoidance of the Church Street Alternative, which we believe would ultimately result in a negative impact on one of the most beautiful, significant and cherished residential streets in Mississippi."
A meeting proposed by MDOT and co-sponsored by the city Preservation Commission was held in May 2003 to consider adverse effects on properties within the National Register Historic District. This action was required to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The following opinion was communicated to State and Federal Agencies: “In the opinion of the Commission the use of Alternative B (Church Street) would not only produce an adverse effect now but also substantially add to the cumulative adverse effects, which have grown in intensity since 1979 when the District was created. Further, it is the Commission’s opinion that these adverse effects will continue in the future to erode the quality and significance of this National Treasure.”
In May 2007 the Port Gibson Heritage Trust contacted the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to seek Section 106 Consulting Party status. On June 27, 2007 the ACHP wrote to the FHWA office in Jackson, MS saying ”Please note that pending review of this undertaking by the ACHP, FHWA should refrain from taking any actions that may affect historic properties.” Shortly after the ACHP sent their letter, MDOT declared their intent to proceed with the project using only state funds, thus avoiding having to comply with federal historic preservation requirements.
On March 25, 2008 MDOT held a public meeting in Port Gibson to present their plan for routing US Highway 61 down Church Street. No alternatives were offered or discussed. At the meeting, Dick Hall, Central District Transportation Commissioner and one of the three members of the State Transportation Commission, said “I am against this project proposed by MDOT to route Highway 61 down Church Street. This is not an option and it’s not impossible to find another”.
The current posture of the MDOT is that Church Street is THE route and they will proceed with this plan. Although federal monies have been used for the many years of planning, MDOT insists that since only state money will be used for the Church Street segment, the agency does not have to comply with NEPA or Section 106. In fact, the Executive Director of MDOT, Larry “Butch” Brown, has stated that he considers the Church Street work to be “repair and maintenance” NOT new construction, and he therefore has NO OBLIGATION to comply with regulations concerning historic preservation.
To this date, every town the size of Port Gibson or larger along US Highway 61 south of Vicksburg has had a bypass constructed to carry US Highway 61.
DeSoto Magazine writes about
"The Fight"
Here At Last!
Get the song "Butch" Brown doesn't want you to hear!
Download the now infamous ballad in .mp3 format:
The Second Battle of Port Gibson
See the song's debut on YouTube!!
Memorial Day Concert Great Success
Jane Ellis’ front lawn was the site of an impromptu Memorial Day concert held to debut Melvin McFatter’s latest composition - “The Second Battle of Port Gibson”. The song celebrates the struggle between the town of Port Gibson and the Mississippi Department of Transportation over the routing of US Highway 61. Over 70 people stopped by to listen and cheer the very funny and sadly accurate song. Copies of the song were available for a donation with proceeds going to the Church Street Defense Fund. The lyrics of the song are reproduced below the pictures. Copies of the song on CD are available from the Trust for a $20 contribution or free with a paid-up Port Gibson Heritage Trust individual or family membership (see the How You Can Help page for application).
The crowd gathered early on the lawn
Melvin McFatter warms up the crowd before the big debut
The crowd howls and applauds at one of the verses
During the break there was a rush to get a CD of the song (note the speeding 18-wheeler in the background)
words and music by Melvin McFatter
copyright 2008 by Melvin McFatter
They was gonna widen this highway
There was controversies which way was best
Some wanted to go to the East, others wanted to go West
Then we got the word, from the Czar up at M-DOT
He said we're coming right down through the middle of town
And that's whether you like it or not.
CHORUS:
Here's to Port Gibson, that pretty little town
It survived an attack by US Grant
And fell to old "Butch" Brown*
Yes, Port Gibson, prettiest town in the nation
That saved it from the Yankees, not the Department of Transportation
Well it rained for forty days
And it rained for forty nights
Bayou Pierre rose over its banks, the flood was an awful sight
Rev. Herrin led the congregation, they built a mighty ark
Would have been easier to gather at the sanctuary
But there wasn't any place to park
CHORUS
Young girl picked up her picture book
She said "Grandpa what could this be?"
The old man just shook his head he said "hon, that's called a tree"
Used to grow on Church Street, all up and down each side
But when they built the new highway
They all shriveled up and died.
CHORUS
I went down to the new highway
To watch pedestrians try and cross
Crucifixes lined the curb, for those who had tried and lost
Some were taking their chances, others were taking bets
They'll celebrate if someone gets across
Although no one's made it yet
CHORUS
The patrolman turned on his siren so loud
And then his lights so blue
The motorist did not check his speed, all through town he flew
When he finally got him he said, "Did you know I was a cop?"
He said "Yes sir, and I would have pulled over"
"But there wasn't any place to stop"
CHORUS
"Butch" Brown came down to Port Gibson
To try and ease folks fears
He stepped up to the podium, said "People lend me your ears"
He gave an eloquent speech, why his was the best solution
Nobody on Church Street heard him
They were deaf from the noise pollution
CHORUS
* Executive Director of MDOT
Some of What the Press Has to Say About the Controversy
Check out these items from the Jackson, MS Clarion-Ledger:
Read these articles in the Natchez Democrat:
And look at these articles in the Vicksburg Post:
Comments from People
Coming Soon
Port Gibson Heritage Trust
PO Box 751
Port Gibson, MS 39150-0751
