In 1863 Baldwin's Ferry was on the main highway connecting Utica (10.5 miles to the southeast) and Vicksburg (11.7 miles to the northwest). The ferry was a heavily used crossing of the Big Black River during the Civil War era. Present-day Mississippi 27 roughly follows the alignment of the Civil War era Baldwin's Ferry Road from the point where Old Highway 27 and modern Mississippi 27 intersect to the river.

This site has local significance because of its association with military activities and events that achieved or affected important local objectives of the Vicksburg campaign.