Long before Vicksburg was established, a French man, Charles Patterson, set a trading post along the Minnesota River east of this location. Known for his bearskin hat, and because the bear was considered sacred by the natives, Patterson became known as Sacred Hat, which turned into Sacred Heart, the village's first name. Nearly a century later, in 1866, James Okins settled in the area after serving with Company K of the Minnesota Infantry during the Civil War. From 1869 to 1878, many of the village's inhabitants were Civil War veterans, and in remembrance of the past battle the village changed its name to Vicksburg on February 10, 1871. At its peak, Vicksburg included a general store, creamery, sawmill, church, school, blacksmith shop, sorghum press, doctor's office, and saloon. Ferry service began on June 2, 1877, and the ferry ran at any hour of the day back and forth across the river, powered by hand with a series of ropes and tackle, with an all-day pass costing 5 cents. The ferry became obsolete when the bridge was built in 1888. With a new railroad to the north and a new river bridge crossing nearby, many townspeople experienced income loss. By 1901, nothing was left of Vicksburg, and many business owners relocated to Renville, which is why Vicksburg is sometimes considered the Father City of Renville.