Welcome to Columbus, Mississippi

We have received some wonderful feedback regarding our blog. THANKS!  One suggestion was that I name the town we are in or close to, if someone wanted to check it out online.  Good point, since I often had just named the marina or river area we were close to each day.  We arrived in Columbus last evening about five o’clock.  It had been a LONG day, but successful day on the river, since we started at 7:30 A.M.  When I last left the blog, we were at Midway Marina with Billy Bob Thorton (aka Pat)!!!  There we met two other boats going in the same direction, so the three of us made it through FOUR locks and here to the marina. 

Nancy and Billy Bob Thorton (aka Pat)

Mississippi in October... Not the way I thought it was going to be.  Locals said it should be 20 degrees warmer.

Columbus, MS

Before it was named Columbus, the area was referred to as Possum’s Town, a name given by the Native Americans. The nickname is still used by some locals.  It became a “hospital town” during the Civil War, since they had opened their churches and stores to the wounded.  Because of that status, many of its antebellum homes were spared.  Second only to Natchez, MS, it has a large collection of homes to tour.

Memorial Day originated here, when women of the town decorated the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers.  A poem titled, The Blue and the Gray by Francis Miles Finch mentions this act in The New York Tribune.

Tennessee Williams (Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Streetcar Named Desire) was born in Columbus.  His home, which has been restored, is now the visitor’s bureau.  That’s where we started our morning tour of Columbus.  Once again, the Southern hospitality is so sweet and welcoming!  No, we have not picked up an accent yet!

 

A little known secret about me is that Gone With the Wind, both the novel and the movie, is my all time favorite!  I LOVE the antebellum era and visiting a mansion or plantation has been on my bucket list for a very long time.  Well folks, check that one off because today was the day!  We toured Waverley Plantation Mansion (c. 1852) just outside of Columbus and very close to the river.  As we pulled up, I could see the house in the distance from an iron gate and long walkway.  I just turned into Scarlett O’Hara! and Steve said, "Frankly Nancy, I don't give a damn."  Waverly Mansion is one of the most photographed houses in the South.  The current owners purchased the home in 1962 and took 25 years to lovingly restore it to its former grandeur.  The antiques inside were outstanding and quite a collection.  I just had to try both curved stairways…all I needed was my long flowing skirt with a hoop…heaven!!!  By the way, Steve and Bill really enjoyed the tour, also.

Our first look at Waverley Mansion

Rear of mansion

250 year old magnolia tree in front of the mansion

View from second floor balcony

Front entrance.... Nancy is ready to go back to Civil War times

Out building behind the mansion

Another photo of the outisde as photos were not allowed inside.

This evening we are taking the loaner van, plus another couple, out to dinner in Columbus.  It has quite a collection of great restaurants according to the locals.  Tomorrow we are back on the river going South once again.  Y’all have a nice evening, ya hear!