Windsor Ruins - Claiborne County, MS

I had a huge surprise planned for the kids. It was a visit to the Windsor Ruins in Claiborne County, Mississippi. It is a MUST see!

The Windsor Ruins were once part of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion built in Mississippi. The Windsor Plantation covered 2,600 acres and was owned by an incredibly wealthy plantation owner named Smith Coffee Daniell II. It took two years to complete this enormous mansion which was finally finished in 1861. Sadly, Smith only lived long enough to enjoy a few weeks in the completed Windsor Mansion. He left behind a young pregnant widow with small children. 

The impressive Windsor Mansion was four stories high consisting of twenty-five rooms along with an above ground basement that contained a school room, dairy, several supply rooms, a commissary and a doctor's office. There were twenty-five fireplaces (one for each room), indoor bathrooms with running water supplied from water tanks in the attic and a modern kitchen connected to the basement by two dumbwaiters. 

There were twenty-nine fluted columns, constructed of brick made on the Windsor Plantation, then covered with mortar and plaster. Many of these columns still remain today. Atop these 45 foot tall fluted columns are gorgeous iron Corinthian capitals and each column is connected by decorative iron balustrade.

During the Civil War, this mansion was used by both the Union and Confederate Armies. Atop the 4th story was a roof-top observatory, which the Confederate Army used for observation and as a signal station. The Union Army used the Windsor Mansion as a hospital and observation post. While much of the South was being burned by the Union Army the Windsor Plantation was spared. Today the only remaining sketch of the Windsor Mansion was discovered in 1991. It was drawn by a Union soldier in 1863. 

After the Civil War, Mark Twain spent time enjoying the view of the mighty Mississippi from the roof-top observatory. He even referenced the Windsor Plantation in his book, Life on the Mississippi. (Note: Mark Twain's real name is Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He is my 5th cousin 5x removed.)

For many years the Daniel family lived in this massive mansion and entertained many people over the years. Unfortunately, on February 17, 1890 the Windsor Mansion burnt to the ground. A guest carelessly dropped a lit cigarette which set the mansion ablaze. Thankfully, the family was out at the time collecting the mail and were unharmed. 

There were very unusual trees surrounding the Windsor Ruins. The branches looked like hands reaching out to grab us. The kids loved finding pieces of the ruins along the ground.

One of the neat things we enjoyed finding were small plants growing out of the intricate iron Corinthian capitals and along the fluted columns.

I loved the quiet beauty of the Windsor Ruins!

We wanted to wander inside the columns, but there were many signs of deterioration along the columns. Plus there were many signs making it clear that we needed to keep out. Wonder how long these columns will stand.

Look how gorgeous the iron balustrades are! 

We had an incredibly wonderful time exploring the Windsor Ruins!

Look at this mammoth tree we found on the grounds leaving the Windsor Ruins. It is rather creepy looking!

There used to be a gorgeous grand cast iron staircase on the Windsor Mansion. The staircase was even featured in the film Raintree County (1957) starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Eva Marie Saint. The iron staircase and six balustrades were donated to the Alcorn State University. They have been added to the university's chapel.

(Windsor Ruins grand cast iron staircase featured in the film Raintree County. 

Left to right: Eva Marie Saint, Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor.)

Just look at the splendid details in these cast iron stairs!

If you are ever near Port Gibson, MS take the 12 mile detour and visit the splendid Windsor Ruins. It is ever so worth your time!

Historic Carthage Jail and Visitors Center-Carthage, IL

Back to our trip back in June. As I mapped our trip to Minnesota I decided that we would visit historic places about two great men: Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United States) and Joseph Smith (1st Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints so one of the stops we made was the Historic Carthage Jail and Visitors Center in Carthage, Illinois.

The small town of Carthage, Illinois played a poignant scene in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  

The only reason we came through this rural city was so we could visit the Historic Carthage Jail and Visitors Center.

Along the pathway to the Visitors Center and Carthage Jail are beautiful memorials to the testimony of Joseph Smith. 

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we recognize the tragedy that occurred on June 27, 1844 in the old Carthage Jail. On that day Joseph Smith, our beloved prophet and founder of the Church, along with his brother, Hyrum Smith, were murdered by a mob.

After watching an 18-minute film about Joseph Smith, focusing on his life and mission, in the Visitors Center we took the short tour of the old Carthage Jail. This is the parlor where the jailer's family spent most of their time and served as a guest room too. 

Next we traveled into the debtor's prison. Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor and Willard Richards were initially imprisoned in this cell. The walls of the entire jail are two and a half feet thick.

Then we traveled upstairs to the criminal's cell. All of the men were transferred upstairs once threats against their safety were made.

Lastly, we entered the jailer's bedroom where Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were murdered. When word of a mob forming to kill Joseph Smith reached the jailer he offered his bedroom to the men to stay in for their safety and comfort. Guards were placed outside the room. This room is very hallowed ground because two good, honorable, Christian men were murdered because of their religious beliefs.

The Spirit was so strong in that room especially when they played the song "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief." It was one of Joseph Smith's favorite songs and he requested that John Taylor sing it a few hours before he and his brother were murdered. As you can see Alyssa and Braxton were deeply affected by the facts surrounding Joseph's and Hyrum's unjustified deaths.

That is the bullet hole which pierced the door and struck Hyrum Smith in the face and killed him. The door also still bears the marks of where the mob tried to pry open the door. Such violence saddens me!

Joseph Smith attempted to leap to safety through this window, but was struck with two bullets from the mob as they forced themselves in the room. Then he was struck in the chest as he fell from the window.

Before we left the room the kids wanted a peek outside the window. I quickly took the photo above and it is by far one of my most favorite photos of our entire trip. It was awkward smiling while taking pictures because of the tragic scene that occurred in that room.

It was neat that we were able to use the original stair railing.

Here's the front of the Carthage Jail. 

The top window is the one that Joseph fell through after being shot twice upstairs and once through the window. He fell to the ground and died.

These righteous men had their lived snuffed out in their prime. Joseph died at the age of 38 leaving behind his sweet wife Emma Hale Smith and five children. Hyrum died at the age of 44 leaving behind his wife Mary Fielding Smith and six children.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Historic Carthage Jail and Visitors Center. It started our long off in the very best way. Thanks to the sweet Sister missionary that gave us a tour. We loved it!

We are eternally indebted to the these two beloved brothers.

As we drove out of town we spotted this stunning old abandoned home. I want it so badly and to bring it back to its former glory.