Natchez

We spent 4 days across the Mississippi River from Natchez in Vidalia, Louisiana. No, they don't grow the sweet onions there, thats in Vidalia, Georgia. This area in Vidalia is known as Old River, and when the Mississippi rises, this area floods.



If you look closely, you can see a boat at the edge of the water. The residents were having to boat across the flooded area to get to their cars that were parked on top of the levee.

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Les tells me that he's seen quite enough "Historic Districts", so after dragging him along on the carriage ride, I ventured off to tour some of Natchez's antebellum homes on my own.

Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall, circa 1857, is a preservation project of the Pilgrimage Garden Club and contains many original furnishings.

Auburn

Auburn, circa 1812, is owned by the City of Natchez. The most interesting feature of this house was it's freestanding staircase.



Longwood

Longwood was the most interesting of the homes that I toured. Construction began in 1860, using skilled workers from the north. When war broke out in 1861, these workers feared for their safety and headed home, leaving the house unfinished. Using local and slave labor, the owner, Dr. Haller Nutt, was able to complete the basement level. Dr Haller died of pneumonia in 1864, leaving the work incomplete. Of the thirty-two rooms planned for the house, only nine rooms on the basement floor were completed. Longwood is also a project of the Pilgrimage Garden Club.