Brandon, Mississippi

Reading Time: 6 minutes

---

Geographic Coordinates: 27.936700, -82.300000

Climate: Brandon, United States has a varied climate and weather patterns throughout the year.

Population: 115330

Language: English

---

Brandon is a charming city situated in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. It is positioned to the east of the state capital, Jackson and has a population of approximately 23, 000 people. The city covers an area of about 21 square miles. The city has a rich history and cultural heritage that attracts many visitors. It was named after Gerard Brandon, Who owned vast plantations in the area during the early 19th century and was also a former governor of Mississippi. Brandon’s historic district features numerous well-preserved buildings dating back to that era.

One of Brandon’s most popular attractions is the Ross Barnett Reservoir which offers various outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, Boating and water sports. The reservoir spans over 33, 000 acres and has several parks and trails for visitors to explore. City Hall Park is another popular attraction with its beautiful gardens and walking trails perfect for an afternoon stroll. Visitors can enjoy southern hospitality while exploring unique shops, Restaurants, Cafes in downtown Brandon with delicious cuisine options such as mouth-watering barbecue at The Gathering at Livingston Mercantile.

Education plays an important role in Brandon’s community with several top-rated schools including Northwest Rankin High School being recognized nationally for its academic excellence. Hinds Community College also provides higher education opportunities to students from all over Mississippi. Overall, Brandon offers small-town charm while still providing access to modern amenities making it a great place to call home or visit on vacation!

---

---

1. Brandon Amphitheater – A popular outdoor concert venue that hosts various live music events throughout the year.
2. Ross Barnett Reservoir – A beautiful lake with numerous recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking.
3. Mississippi Petrified Forest – A unique forest preserved from ancient times with petrified logs that turned into stone over millions of years.
4. The Outlets of Mississippi – A shopping center with a variety of stores offering designer brands at discounted prices.
5. The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum – An interactive museum showcasing the state’s agricultural heritage through exhibits and demonstrations.
6. Trustmark Park – Home to the minor league baseball team Mississippi Braves, this stadium offers entertainment for sports fans during baseball season.
7. The Jackson Zoo – Located just outside Brandon in Jackson city limits is a fun-filled family destination featuring exotic animals from around the world.
8. Old Capitol Museum – This historic government building now serves as a museum showcasing Mississippi’s political history from its earliest days up until present day politics in America.

---

1. Retail: Brandon has multiple shopping centers and stores, including the Outlets of Mississippi, which is the state’s largest outlet mall.
2. Healthcare: Residents have access to several hospitals and medical centers within the city.
3. Manufacturing: Automotive parts, industrial equipment, and consumer goods are among the products produced by a few manufacturing companies in Brandon.
4. Education: The Rankin County School District operates several schools within Brandon’s limits and has its headquarters in the city.
5. Hospitality: To cater to tourists visiting the area, there are numerous hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses in Brandon.
6. Construction: With a growing population comes new construction projects for residential homes as well as commercial buildings like retail spaces or offices for businesses to rent out space from developers who build them up from scratch!
7. Transportation & Logistics: With its proximity to Jackson (the state capital), transportation companies provide trucking services across various industries such as food distribution among others too!

---

1. The founding of the town in 1857 by Orson and Eleanor Spencer.
2. The establishment of the Brandon State Hospital in 1912, which was one of the largest mental health facilities in the state until its closure in 2018.
3. The tornado that struck Brandon on June 16, 1992, causing significant damage to homes and businesses.
4. The presence of several notable politicians from Brandon, including former Governor William A. Egan and former Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman.
5. The contributions made by local businesspeople such as Frank Murkowski Sr., who founded a successful construction company that helped build many public buildings throughout Alaska.
6. The role played by Brandon residents during World War II, including those who served in the military or worked at Fort Richardson or Elmendorf Air Force Base.
7. The cultural significance of events like the annual Fourth of July parade and fireworks display, which draws thousands of visitors to the town each year.
8. Notable landmarks such as Pioneer Park (formerly known as Alaskaland), which features historic buildings from around Alaska and is a popular tourist attraction today.
9. The role played by local educators like Mary Louise Rasmuson, who helped establish several educational institutions throughout Alaska.
10. The contributions made by Native Alaskans living near Brandon who have preserved their traditional ways of life despite significant social changes over time.

---

1. The Brandon Heritage Center is a museum that displays the history of Brandon and its surrounding areas. It showcases exhibits on local industries, agriculture, and cultural heritage.
2. The Hjemkomst Center is another museum that features a replica Viking ship and other exhibits on Scandinavian culture in the Midwest.
3. The Plains Art Museum, located in nearby Fargo, is an art center that houses a collection of contemporary art from regional and national artists.
4. Bonanzaville USA is an outdoor museum that features over 40 historic buildings from North Dakota’s past, including a schoolhouse, church, general store, and more.
5. Sertoma Park & Zoo is a park with walking trails along the Red River as well as an animal exhibit with bison, elk, deer and other wildlife.
6. Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site is a restored frontier fort that was established in 1858 to protect settlers from Native American attacks during the Dakota War of 1862.
7. The Fargo Theatre is a historic movie theater that has been renovated to showcase independent films as well as live performances such as concerts or plays.
8. North Dakota State Capitol Building can be visited by tourists who wish to tour this impressive building which was built in 1934-35 with Art Deco style architecture featuring murals by artist Arthur Henry Lidov inside the building’s rotunda area.

Note: Some attractions may have limited hours or require advance reservations due to COVID-19 restrictions so it’s recommended to check with each attraction before visiting to ensure they are open for visitors at your desired time/day(s).

---

---

1. Brandon High School Eagles: The Brandon High School Eagles have a rich history in sports, particularly in football and basketball. The football team has won multiple district championships and made several appearances in the state playoffs, while the basketball team has also had success with multiple district championships and a state championship in 1986.
2. Brandon Bulls: The Brandon Bulls were a minor league baseball team that played in the Florida State League from 1988 to 1992. They were affiliated with the Seattle Mariners for their entire existence and played their home games at McKechnie Field.
3. Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club: The Tampa Bay Juniors Hockey Club is based out of the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon and is one of the premier youth hockey programs in Florida, offering teams at all age levels from mites to juniors.
4. Hillsborough Community College Hawks: Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is located just outside of Brandon and has a successful athletic program, particularly in baseball and softball. Their baseball team has won multiple conference championships and made several appearances in the NJCAA World Series.
5. Tampa Bay Area Chiefs: The Tampa Bay Area Chiefs are a semi-professional football team that plays their home games at Lennard High School Stadium, located just outside of Brandon. They are members of the Florida Football Alliance (FFA) and have been playing since 2010.
6. Greater Brandon Athletic Association (GBAA): GBAA offers youth sports programs for children ranging from ages four to sixteen years old, including baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, tackle football, cheerleading, basketball, volleyball among others.
7. Brandon FC : A local soccer club established since 1979 providing an opportunity for players to play recreational or competitive soccer throughout different age groups from U5-U19.

---

---

1. Brandon Balloon Festival – A hot air balloon festival held every year in May.
2. Brandon Fourth of July Celebration – A parade and fireworks show held on Independence Day.
3. Mississippi’s Grape Escape – A wine tasting event held annually in September.
4. Rankin County Fair – An agricultural fair with carnival rides, exhibits, and livestock shows held every October.
5. Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony – An event that marks the start of the holiday season with a parade followed by a tree lighting ceremony at City Hall.

Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions or other reasons some events may be canceled or postponed this year so it’s always best to check for updates before planning to attend any event or festival.

---

• The Cottage – a Southern-style restaurant serving dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and biscuits with honey butter.
• Grillsmith – a casual American grill offering burgers, steaks, seafood, and salads.
• La Septima Cafe – a Cuban restaurant serving traditional dishes like ropa vieja, picadillo, and Cuban sandwiches.
• Ichiban Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar – an upscale Japanese restaurant featuring sushi rolls, hibachi grills, and teriyaki dishes.
• The Stein & Vine – a gastropub with craft beers on tap and creative comfort food like macaroni and cheese bites or pulled pork poutine.
• Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant – an authentic Mexican eatery serving tacos al pastor, enchiladas verdes, guacamole made tableside.
• Green Island Frozen Yogurt & Tea Bar – a dessert place offering frozen yogurt flavors with various toppings as well as bubble tea drinks.
• Buffalo Wild Wings- A sports bar chain famous for its wings in several sauces along with burgers, sandwiches, wraps, etc.

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Alderman’s Ford Preserve – offers hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking activities.
2. Brandon Regional Park – features playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas.
3. Lithia Springs Regional Park – provides swimming facilities and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy.
4. Alafia River State Park – offers canoeing/kayaking experiences along with camping and biking trails.
5. Edward Medard Conservation Park – ideal for fishing enthusiasts with boating/kayaking/canoeing options available.
6. Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center – perfect for birdwatching and nature walks in a serene environment.
7. Rotary’s All Person’s Playground at Limona Village Chapel- designed as an accessible playground for children of all abilities to enjoy together.
8. Westfield Brandon Mall- provides shopping and dining options in a modern setting.
9. AMC Regency 20 movie theater- offers an immersive cinema experience with IMAX screens available to enhance the viewing experience further.
10. Oakfield Lanes Bowling Alley- features bowling alleys along with arcade games and food options to keep visitors entertained throughout their visit.

---



Go Everywhere

---