Vicksburg, Mississippi

I left Georgia and headed west on Easter Sunday morning, not sure how far or where I would end the day.  I was ready to put in a full day of driving towards Texas.  I had a reservation to stay in Jackson, Mississippi - and thought it was a good destination or goal for the day - but when I pulled in to the hotel around 5:30 in the evening there was nothing in the area that I thought I would enjoy seeing.  I took a quick look at a map and saw that Vicksburg, MS was a short additional 30 miles to the west away and I decided to change my hotel reservation to Vicksburg.  What a great decision that was!  Vicksburg turned out to be a historical town along the Mississippi River.  

Pulling off the interstate, I immediately noticed the historical homes and signs pointing me to the Vicksburg National Military Park. I decided while it was still daylight I'd venture to the middle of town.  This town was a treat to see, very quaint and very historical.  

This particular house reminded me of New Orleans.

This is a view down Main Street.  The town is MUCH smaller than New Orleans but had that same french, old south feel.

I drove down to see the Mississippi River.  Train tracks ran along the edge and there was a beautiful mural all along a section of the waterfront.

Vicksburg's riverfront murals are located on the foldaways on Levee Street, which is the entrance to the downtown riverfront.  Artist Robert Dafford painted 32 life-like pictorial murals depicting periods of history of Vicksburg.  

Four casinos line the waterfront.

This is Ameristar Casino Hotel.  The hotel claims to have the largest "live" poker room in the market, three on-site dining venues and two entertainment venues.

Driving thru town on Sunday evening was the perfect time, as I had the roads all to myself around town and I could get wander up and down the streets at my own pace.

This is definitely on my list of places to go back and to spend more time!  There were tons of things to see:  The Jacqueline House Museum (Vicksburg's only museum for the exclusive study of history and culture of people of African descent) The Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum (explores what life is like to live along the river) the Old Court House Museum (circa 1858-1860), a Southern Heritage Air Museum, Yesterday's Children Antique Doll and  a Toy Museum.  There are historical churches and cemeteries, several southern mansions and homes that offer tours, casinos, art galleries, theaters, day spas, parks, and bed and breakfast inns.  Vicksburg has two scenic tours to drive, The Blue Scenic Tour and Red Scenic Tour and lots of shopping.  Check out their annual events calendar on their web site, www.visitvicksburg.com

First thing in the morning I visited the Visitor's Center at the Vicksburg National Military Park.  The have a 20 minute film the recounts the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863.  This was a critical battle that the Union won - giving them the South in the Civil War.   Following my visit in the visitor's center, I drove thru the park.

I was so taken with the greenery, I pulled off the road and snapped this picture.  

It wasn't hard to picture the battle on these fields.  They were peaceful, green and beautiful now...but at one time death and destruction took place on these hills.

This dome or tent, houses the USS Cairo Museum.  This was a Union ironclad commanded by Thomas O. Selfridge, named for Cairo, Illinois and commissioned in 1862.  In December of that year in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Cairo was struck by two underwater torpedoes (today called mines) sinking in less than 12 minutes with no loss of life.  It sat in the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years, preserved by mud and silt.  It was raised in 1964, and later restored.  The ironclad, the last remaining of its kind, is now on display here at the park.

I LOVED this visit to Vicksburg!