holiday - Amanda Dove Wells

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holiday
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OPPOSITE PAGE AND ABOVE: Photos of the Mississippi River at Vicksburg are provided by the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Down by the Riverside
A Saturday drive down the historic Natchez Trace will land you in
the rolling hills of Vicksburg, the key to the South.
PHOTOS AND STORY BY AMANDA WELLS
S
ometimes, there’s something to be said for a change in
scenery. Luckily, Jackson lies smack dab in the center of a
bevy of hidden day trip gems. There’s nothing quite like
loading up the car and heading out for a day of adventure. A
mere 45 miles from Jackson, the river city of Vicksburg offers
a multitude of opportunities to indulge, learn and explore.
Your first stop should be quintessential V icksburg. If
you’ve never visited the V icksburg National Military Park
or haven’t been in a while, the park is definitely worth the
stop. Established in 1899, the park is full of memorials to
the soldiers that fought during the Battle of V icksburg. The
nation’s leading architects and sculptors at the time were
commissioned to honor these men, and a Civil W ar veteran
once referred to the Vicksburg National Military Park as “the
art park of the world.” Over 1370 monuments, tablets and
markers are spread throughout the park’s landscape.
Here you can also visit the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat and
Museum, an ironclad gunboat mounting thirteen cannons, that
during the Civil War, held Northern hopes to regain control of
the lower Mississippi River. On December 12, 1862, the Cairo
headed up the Y azoo River, north of V icksburg, to destroy
Confederate batteries and eliminate torpedoes. Seven miles
north of the city, the Cairo came under fire and gaping holes
were torn into the ship’ s hull. The ironclad gunboat sank and
became the first ship in history to be sunk by an electrically
detonated torpedo. The Cairo sat at the bottom of the Yazoo
until 1965, when it was recovered, along with many of its
contents, which can be viewed in the museum today.
For lunch, head down Highway 61 to The T omato Place.
Owner Luke Hughes has been operating the small, unassuming
roadside joint for 13 years, where he serves up a mean BL T. “I
started out just selling produce that I grew ,” he says. “It really
began to take on a life of its own.” Now , people come from
miles around for a taste of local tomatoes (now from other
local farmers) on homemade bread. Y ou can also go home
with house-made jams and jellies, stone ground grits, a loaf of
bread or even a quirky birdhouse. Before you head out, grab a
smoothie made from fresh fruit for the road.
Head for downtown V icksburg for an afternoon of
browsing antiques and art. On W ashington Street, you’ll
find The Attic Gallery , the longest standing art gallery in
Mississippi that has been operated by the original owner .
Owner Lesley Silver has a distinct taste in art and her
personality shines through in the inimitable space. “V
icksburg
has been good to me,” says Lesley . “The people here have
been extremely supportive over the years.” Folk art and vivid
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ABOVE: A friendly cat welcomes visitors at Lorelei Books on Washington Street.
TOP, RIGHT: Luke Hughes, owner of The Tomato Place on Highway 61.
BOTTOM, RIGHT: Stop by Catfish Row to cool off in the splash pad at
the children’s art park.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Lesley Silver, owner of The Attic Gallery, has a distinct
taste in art and antiques.
colors reign here, so stop by for a piece of local art or just a
good view. For an afternoon pick-me-up, visit Highway 60
Coffeehouse, located underneath the gallery.
Also on Washington Street, Lorelei Books is a charming
locally-owned bookstore where owner Laura Weeks and her
cats will welcome you, ready and willing to help you find a
great read.
Browse antiques at Adolph Rose Antiques on Clay Street,
where you’ll find both fine antiques and found treasures.
Author David Cohn once wrote, “The Mississippi Delta
begins in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and
ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg.” Catfish Row was once
a part of an extensive wharf in the 1800s and was one of
the main centers of trade along the Mississippi River . Now,
Catfish Row is home to a children’ s art park and murals
depicting the history of V icksburg. Stop by for a colorful
lesson or to cool off in the splash pad.
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Dine at Café Anchuca for dinner, located in one of the city’s
most beloved antebellum homes. The Greek Revival structure
was V icksburg’s first columned mansion. Anchuca, meaning
“happy home,” was built in 1830 by local politician J.W
.
Mauldin. Seventeen years later , local coal and ice merchant,
Victor Wilson, added the columned front and the two-story
dependency in back. Surviving the Siege of V icksburg in
1863, Anchuca provided shelter for the injured through the
Civil War. Now , you can enjoy shrimp and grits or a filet,
among other items, in the home’s historic café. Another option
is Rusty’s Riverfront Grill, located across from the river and
serving up gumbo, seafood, steaks and more. o
For more in Vicksburg, visit the Old Courthouse Museum, Main Str eet Market,
Christ Episcopal Church (home to one of Vicksburg’s eight Tiffany stained glass
windows), the Mississippi River Museum, and the Old Depot Museum, where
owner Lamar Roberts says his hobby of transportation models got out of hand.
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VB.2013KeyToHistoryPORTICO7.875x4.875.qxp:Layout 1 9/13/13 6:21 AM Page 1
The Key to
History
Visit the historic homes and hallways of this remarkable
river city. The museums and Vicksburg National Military
Park provide our visitors with a glimpse into the past. The
shops along Washington Street are filled with wonderful
gift and specialty items that range from fun and funky to
fantastically fashionably. Come learn American history
and enjoy the charm of the brick paved streets lined with
old-fashioned gaslights.
www.VisitVicksburg.com
www.facebook.com/visitvicksburg
@VisitVicksburg
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Scan the QR code to visit
Vicksburg’s mobile site
and start planning your
vacation today.
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