Cozy Bed and Breakfast Lodging in Columbia, MS

Stay at a member B&B of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Mississippi and take a step back in history. Marion County history has many deep historical roots dating back to 1795. General Andrew Jackson stayed in the John & Katherine Ford’s home for two weeks during the War of 1812. The home stands today, and is preserved in its original condition. Today, Marion County continues to grow, with a population of more than 25,000. Columbia is home to the former NFL great Walter Payton and former Governor Hugh White, who introduced the Balance Agriculture with Industry Program (BAWI) in 1936. This program was responsible for helping lure new industries to the State of Mississippi.

Before Spain signed the land over to the United States, the Choctaw Indians were living on the land. In 1795, Spain offered the United States any and all of the land north of the 31st parallel, which is now the northern boundary of Florida. It wasn’t long before the word was out about the prosperous land that was available, and John and William Lott left Columbia, South Carolina for Mississippi. The Lotts decided to set up camp, and called their home Lotts Bluff. That name lasted until 1821 when it was changed to Columbia because many of its original settlers came from Columbia, SC. Columbia later became the temporary capital of Mississippi, with two sessions of the legislature being held there. Settlers, for the most part, were from South Carolina, but many other migrated from Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Reverend John Ford and his wife Katherine were among the many settlers in Marion County. They settled approximately 20 miles to the south of Columbia, and over time acquired 2,000 acres of land in the area. Their home became a place for travelers to stay. During the 1900’s many homes and communities were built around churches, schools, railroads and the Pearl River.