In the early 19th century, settlers were attracted to Brewer’s Bluff (Brewton) in Jackson County because of its high elevation, just west of the Pascagoula River.

[3] By 1826, Brewer’s Bluff had not met expectations because of its remote location, and the county seat was moved east of the Pascagoula River.

[2] In the late 19th century, Brewton prospered as a sawmill town, where trees were harvested from the virgin pine forests and processed into lumber.

Besides the sawmill, Brewton had houses, a church, a school, a hotel, and a post office.

Ownership of the sawmill changed several times, but bad luck plagued the mill and it burned twice.