Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The Town of Hobson City

Yes, there are fewer than 1,000 people in this small historic town, but its name is larger than life. Hobson City, located adjacent to Oxford, was incorporated in 1899 by a small neighborhood of black citizens when the new mayor of Oxford gerrymandered the residents' homes out of the larger city. The displaced citizens refused to leave the area and simply created a city of their own. 
Originally known as the Mooree Quarters section of Oxford, the  town was named after Richmond P. Hobson, a white naval hero and member of Congress, and in July 1899, Hobson City became the second municipality in the South controlled and governed entirely by African Americans.
At that time, the town had a population of 135. In 1905, Professor C.E. Hanna organized the first school. 
Hobson City is a town of history and heritage, celebrating their Founders Day annually each August. 

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