Aberdeen was founded in 1835 by Robert Gordon, a Scotsman who recognized the potential of the site located on a hill next to the Tombigbee River. In 1837 the town was incorporated, and in 1849 became the seat of Monroe County, the first county established north of Jackson. During this era of amazing growth, Aberdeen became the second largest city in Mississippi as well as the largest port on the Tombigbee River. "Cotton was King" in 1850, and cotton from the rich lands north and west was hauled to Aberdeen and shipped by boat to Mobile. The wealthy merchants and landowners who owned the huge plantations near town competed in the building of large mansions in Aberdeen during this time of great prosperity. Many of the furnishings for these great homes were purchased in Europe and shipped to Aberdeen by steamboat up the Tombigbee.  Before the turn of the century, Aberdeen again experienced a time of affluence,resulting in some of the most beautiful examples of early Victorian architecture to be seen in Mississippi.

In addition to its beautiful homes, other attractions to be seen in Aberdeen include: six historic churches, the 1857 Monroe County Court House, two cemeteries c. 1845 and 1857, pre-1900 store facades and the magnolia boulevard on Commerce Street, plus "Silk Stocking Avenue" (Franklin Street), the main Victorian residential street.

Aberdeen's tree-lined streets are complemented by a busy shopping district, where the pre-1900 facades have been restored to their original splendor.

Aberdeen is located on the banks of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which provides a shipping connection to the world, serving as a bridge between the Tennessee River and the Gulf of Mexico. A visit to Aberdeen is a cultural experience that comes to life during the city's many special events, from leisurely tours of some of the South's finest historic homes to garden tours and a variety of holiday events.

The pilgrimage each Spring includes a locally written and produced play, church and home tours and cemetery tours conducted by local high school students.

For nature lovers, the Blue Bluff Recreation Area on the waterway features developed camp sites, playgrounds, boat ramps and other amenities. Aberdeen is the seat of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi (located in the Thomas G. Abernethy Court House and Federal Building) and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi (housed in the U.S. Senator Thad Cochran Bankruptcy Court Building) and home to industry, including Axiall Corporation (formerly Georgia Gulf), Westlake, Tronox, and others.