Jackson may be the capital of Mississippi, but 20 minutes away is where the fun is. 

Despite boasting the perfect mix of party culture and modern residential lifestyle, the city has had a difficult history. Native Americans originally owned the land, but the government bought the land and developed a settlement in the 1820s. The Union Army burned a large portion of the city during the Civil War; yellow fever was a scourge here throughout reconstruction, and the downtown area was destroyed again by fire in 1924. However, Brandon thrived as an agrarian society in the Great Depression and has been on the up-and-up ever since.

More recently, Brandon’s history has been rambunctious, mysterious, and sometimes even spooky. There are anecdotes like the Daughters of the Confederacy selling oysters to raise money for the 37-foot monument in the downtown square and frivolous stories of young boys painting the water tower in the 1980s. In 2021, a family feeling the presence of ancient ghosts and ghouls was convinced a vintage doll carriage they got for Christmas brought paranormal activity to their home. Other tales are much more light-hearted, like buried treasure cache of old rifles buried in the basement of the Ohleyer Building, only for them to be lost to the ages.

The new crown jewel of the city is the Brandon Amphitheater. The concert venue sits right in the middle of the Quarry, a 250-acre park perfect for outdoor recreation and complete with a dog park and baseball field. Within the Amphitheater itself, tiered and box seats are complemented by video displays on the walls for the perfect show. The venue books A-list stars like Luke Bryan, Bob Dylan, Def Leppard, and ZZ Top.

Since 1960, people have been spending their weekends at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The Sportsman’s and Sunset Marinas are the perfect jump-off point to get a boat out on the water. From there, you can cross the lake and dock right at some amazing restaurants. You can try the fantastic seafood at Shaggy’s on the Rez. Get your groove on with the exotic drinks at Bushwacker at Pelican Cove or get some southern comfort food at Cock of the Walk.

Even if you don’t have a boat, you can still enjoy a cool breeze by the water at Lakeshore Park. Pavilions and picnic tables offer the perfect spot to get a quick snack or spend the day. The park has soccer and baseball fields, a playground, and a pool.

The Rez is also the entry point for one of Mississippi hunters’ favorite seasons: summertime alligator hunting. Hunters have been vying for the coveted alligator permits and competing to see who can bag the biggest gator since 2005. The largest alligator ever caught during that hunt was 14 feet and 828 pounds, but a 13-foot, 9-inch 700-pound beast was caught in the Ross Barnett Reservoir in 2020.

Away from the dangers of the gators, the Natchez Trace Parkway is the perfect place to find yourself. The 444-mile road takes you on a scenic drive through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. There are gorgeous trails scattered along that path, perfect for anything from hiking, camping, biking, or even horseback riding.

Nations Wildlife Removal is proud to serve communities like Brandon. Our business is owned and operated by a family of veterans just down the road in Madison, and we’ve earned the reputation of being the most trusted wildlife removal company in the area. Call us today so we can prove to you we’re worthy of the title.