Peyton

Mississippi's ghost towns are river ports and cotton towns, plus lumber camps that clear-cut the pine hills.

Peyton is a ghost town in Tunica County, Mississippi, United States. Once a thriving port on the Mississippi River, Peyton today is covered by farmfield, forest, and a portion of the Mississippi Levee. Nothing remains of the original settlement but a church called “Rising Sun Baptist Church”. Where some original members and decedents of original members still attend. They even have a “Coming Home” service every year. After a damaging flood in Commerce in 1843, the county seat was temporarily moved to Peyton. Six months later, it was moved back to Commerce.

The on-the-ground condition of Peyton is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Peyton is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Peyton is roughly 34.6222, -90.4750 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.