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!