Published: May 13, 2009 09:15 am      

Celebrating 200 years: French Camp shows off history during event

French Camp celebrated its 200th anniversary with a bang on Saturday. The firing of a cannon at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Drane Home by Stanford’s Mississippi Battery, 1861-1865, and Civil War Reenactors officially kicked off the town’s bicentennial activities.

Documentation shows that Louis LeFleur settled the area now known as French Camp.

Early in the morning, the entire business and historic districts of the town took on a festive atmosphere with vendors setting up booths for selling arts and crafts.

The Tombigbee Pioneer Living History Group was represented with demonstrating artisans and musicians performing throughout the historic district.

Gospel singing by groups and individuals was heard throughout the day in the city hall/fire station area.

Speakers during the morning hours were Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann who told of the importance and influence of small towns. He cited a number of famous Mississippians such as William Faulkner, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, Leontyne Price, Beth Henley, who came from small towns in Mississippi. He also cited French Camp for its contribution to the community and state, and to French Camp Academy for its influence on children through the years.

Rep. Gary Jackson representing District 15 in the Mississippi Legislature was also a speaker during the opening session of the day’s activities.