Natchez, Mississippi
This northwestern girl loves Natchez!
I would go back in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity!
Unfortunately, the Hubster and I drove by Mammy’s Cupboard, a roadside icon just south of Natchez, when it was closed. I sure would like to try one of their desserts!
*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!
The name, Natchez, derives from the sun-worshipping and mound-building Natchez Indians, who ceased to exist as a tribe in 1731 when they were conquered by the French.
If you like antebellum architecture, then come and take a walk with me.
The Hubster and I didn’t eat at Dunleith Castle, either, but I love the elegant touch of the chandelier on their restaurant sign!
Dunleith Historic Inn, Mississippi’s only surviving example of a plantation house with a fully encircling colonnade of Greek Revival columns was built by Charles Dahlgreen, who raised two infantry units for service in the Confederacy. Dahlgreen’s brother, John, became an admiral in the Union navy, a case of brother pitted against brother. During the Civil War, the Confederate sympathizer, Alfred Vidal Davis and his family resided at Dunleith.
I enjoyed learning the story of John Roy Lynch, who lived here, working as a field laborer before the Civil War, and you might, too.
John Roy Lynch was born a slave at Tacony Plantation in Louisiana and self-educated. He would go on to become the first African-American Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Mississippi State Legislature and one of the first African-American U.S. Congressmen.
Awesome achievements, especially considered in the light of his circumstances!
Twin Oaks, also known as White Cottage, is a Greek Revival style home built in 1852 that is situated on three acres of southern gardens. Twin Oaks was the home to notable residents, such as Mother Cornelia Connelly (her story is also amazing), the founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and Lewis Evans, a sheriff in the Mississippi Territory. Federal troops stayed in the house during the Civil War.
Charles DuBuisson built the main portion of Twin Oaks in the 1850s, although sections of the house are believed to be much earlier. DuBuisson was a professor of classics at Jefferson College, and later, practiced law in Natchez. His son, also named Charles, was a corporal in the First Mississippi Light Artillery and later, served in Wirt Adam’s regiment of the Mississippi Cavalry.
Belvidere Cottage was built circa 1837, shortly after Samuel and Robert Patterson acquired the land. In 1847, it was acquired by John Coulson, a merchant. In 1868, John W. Henderson purchased Belvidere.
The house was relocated northwards in 1927 to make way for the Margaret Martin Junior High School.
If The Elms hasn’t sold since the Hubster and I walked this corner of Natchez, then you still have a chance to buy this fantastic and beautiful mansion!
John Henderson (1755-1842), who began construction of The Elms in 1804, was a prominent Natchez merchant, auctioneer, and lawyer. The Elms changed hands many times over the years, and each owner added his own touch, resulting in a house that defies any useful stylistic label.
The Pillars was originally owned by Mr. & Mrs. Missouri Lawrence and built in an Italianate style. This is a pet friendly bed and breakfast for those of you who travel with furry family!
The Peter Crist House, in the Natchez On-Top-of-the-Hill Historic District, was placed on the National Register on 17 September 1979.
Monmouth Historic Inn was built by John Hankinson, a postmaster, lawyer and steamboat entrepreneur, during the depression that followed the War of 1812, and named after his home, Monmouth County, New Jersey. John A. Quitman, a Natchez attorney, purchased the home in 1826.
Members of the 12th and 14th Wisconsin and 28th Illinois Infantry camped on the lawn of Monmouth, the former home of General John Quitman, once governor of the State of Mississippi and a Mexican war hero, who had died in 1858. Quitman’s daughters, who had married Confederate officers, continued to reside there during the Federal occupation.
Bontura House, also known as Smith-Bontura-Evans-House, was built by Robert D. Smith, a free African American who, prohibited by law to operate a grocery in Natchez, went into the livery business and soon became the city’s most successful carriage and dray operator.
Smith purchased the freedom of his wife and children when living in New Orleans and then moved the family to Natchez.
The Banker’s House is a grand architectural rarity, combining a commercial bank and a neighborhood residence in the same structure.
In 1835-1838, The building was constructed by Levin Marshall, the bank’s president, in the Greek Revival style. The home and the bank were designed to share the same footprint to better secure the financial institution.
Taking in the lovely view of the mighty Mississippi River as the Hubster and I walk along the bluff.
And where did we eat lunch?
Here, at the Biscuits & Blues Restaurant. The staff was very helpful and nice.
We were here on a Sunday for lunch, but we hear that it is a great place for dinner, live music, and fun times spent with friends. Biscuits and Blues has been voted America’s #1 blues nightclub by the Memphis Blues Foundation, the W.C. Handy Organization, and The San Francisco Blues Society.
The Hubster and I had never tasted crawfish before (I know…hard to believe), let alone any real southern food before this trip.
So we tried crawfish etouffee. It was a bit spicy for me, but I ate it all…it was tasty.
We also tried the crawfish and mushroom beignet. This was so delicious! I am missing it already!
See the world around you!
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