Windsor Ruins
Mississippi
Located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, the Windsor Ruins are the striking remains of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion ever built in the state. Constructed between 1859 and 1861 for cotton planter Smith Coffee Daniell II, the mansion was an architectural marvel featuring 29 massive Corinthian columns made of brick covered with stucco, each over 40 feet tall. The three-story mansion, spanning 17,000 square feet, included numerous fireplaces, interior bathrooms with rainwater supply, and a domed glass cupola that served as a Civil War observation post. During the war, Union troops used the mansion as a hospital and observation station, while the Daniell family continued to reside on the third floor. Tragically, the mansion was destroyed by fire in 1890, leaving only the 23 standing columns that remain today. The site offers a powerful glimpse into antebellum architecture, plantation life, and Civil War history, making it a unique cultural landmark recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Mississippi Landmark.
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Tip: Visitors should plan to visit during daylight hours for the best views and photo opportunities. It is recommended to check the official website or contact local authorities for any access restrictions or guided tour availability. While there is no admission fee, donations to preservation efforts are appreciated. Comfortable walking shoes are advised as the site is outdoors and may have uneven terrain.
Zajímavosti
- •The 29 original Corinthian columns were each over 40 feet tall and more than 3.5 feet in diameter at the base.
- •The mansion included two interior bathrooms supplied by rainwater collected from a tank in the attic, an unusual feature for the 1860s.
- •Union General Ulysses S. Grant and 17,000 troops occupied the mansion during the Vicksburg campaign in 1863.
- •An 1863 sketch of the mansion by a Union officer was discovered in the 1990s, providing valuable insight into its original appearance.
Historie
The Windsor mansion was constructed between 1859 and 1861 on a 2,600-acre plantation by enslaved African American labor for Smith Coffee Daniell II.
Shortly after completion, Daniell died in 1861.
During the American Civil War, the mansion's cupola was used by Confederate and later Union forces as an observation point.
After the war, the Daniell family continued to occupy the mansion until it was destroyed by fire in 1890.
The surviving columns were recognized for their historic significance and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, with further designation as a Mississippi Landmark in 1985.
Průvodce po místě
Corinthian Columns1859-1861
The 23 surviving brick columns covered in stucco with ornate iron Corinthian capitals are the most striking feature of the ruins. They originally supported wide verandas and a grand roofline, showcasing antebellum architectural grandeur.
Mansion Footprint and Layout1861
The mansion was a three-story structure with 23 to 25 rooms, including parlors, bedrooms, a library, study, dining room, and innovative indoor bathrooms. The ground floor housed functional spaces such as a schoolroom and doctor's office.
Civil War Significance1861-1865
During the Civil War, the mansion served as a Confederate observation post and later as a Union hospital and headquarters after General Grant's forces took control in 1863.
Kontakt
Telefon: (601) 446-6502