The Corners Mansion, a historical gem built in 1873, was constructed by John Alexander Klein, who made Cedar Grove next door and owned a 62-acre tract overlooking the Mississippi River. Klein gifted this house to his eldest daughter, Susan, and her husband, Isaac Bonham, as a wedding present. At its construction, the Mississippi River's east bank was situated at the bottom of the hill, where the railroad tracks are now.
The Corners Mansion's architectural style combines Classic Greek Revival with Italianate features, boasting unique pierced columns with motifs of hearts, shamrocks, rings, and diamonds, symbolising love and marriage. The iron fence enclosing the property was made in Pennsylvania and transported down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The gardens, designed in the French Creole Parterre style, have been preserved in their original layout, contributing to the property's inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house across the street and The Galleries building to the right belong to The Corners estate. The building on the north lot, now known as the Galleries, was completed in 1996 and received an award for its compatibility with the historic property.
Corners Mansion's floor plan was inspired by Cedar Grove, albeit on a smaller scale. Tragedy struck the family in the late 19th century with the deaths of Susan and Isaac's two children and Isaac himself. Afterwards, Susan spent most of her time at Cedar Grove until her mother died in 1909. She sold both The Corners and Cedar Grove in 1915 and lived with her nephew until she died in 1935.
The house was converted into apartments during both World Wars before being purchased and restored by Dr Robert and Susan Ivy in 1959. Cliff and Bettye Whitney, Macy's parents, bought the house in 1985 and furnished it with antiques. Macy Whitney and Joe Trahan have owned The Corners Mansion Inn since 2006, continuing the family tradition.
The hallway was designed to capture breezes, with high ceilings and a heart of pine floors. The house could be "summarised" by removing carpets or rugs in the summer and trapping cool air in the walls for insulation. The soil in Vicksburg is known as loess soil, providing stability due to its unique formation during the Pleistocene Ice Age.
The open road stretched before us, beckoning us to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure. We set out from Vicksburg, Mississippi, the historic town known for its charm and Southern hospitality. Our first stop was the Corners Mansion Inn, a grand old mansion where we spent the night in luxury and indulgence.
The following day, we ventured to the Levee Street Marketplace, a vibrant hub of local culture and commerce. We strolled among the stalls, admiring the handcrafted goods and sampling the delicious fare of the Deep South. From there, we continued to the Vicksburg National Military Park, where we explored the hallowed grounds and learned about the history of the Civil War.
Our journey then took us to Rolling Fork, Mississippi, where we visited the Visitors Center & Museum and discovered the rich heritage of the Mississippi Delta. We also stopped at Mont Helena, a beautiful plantation home with a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
As we made our way to Clarksdale, Mississippi, we drove along the Blues Crossroads Highways 61 and 49, taking in the sights and sounds of the region that gave birth to the blues. At the Delta Blues Museum, we were immersed in the area's musical history, learning about the legends who paved the way for modern music.
Our final stop was at the iconic Hollywood Cafe in Hollywood, Mississippi, where we savoured the flavours of classic Southern cuisine and basked in the ambience of a bygone era.
As we left Clarksdale, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills of the Mississippi Delta. We hopped back in our car and made our way towards Tunica, eager to take in the natural beauty of the Mississippi River at sunset. The Tunica River Park did not disappoint - the tranquil waters were bathed in a golden light, and we spent a few blissful moments just taking in the scenery. As the sky turned from gold to pink to purple, we realised we were hungry and decided to head towards our final destination for the night, the Hilton Garden Inn Memphis East Germantown. The drive took us through some charming small towns, and we chatted happily about the memories we had made that day. Finally, we arrived at the hotel and were delighted to find a cosy room waiting for us, complete with all the amenities we needed to make our stay comfortable. We couldn't wait to explore Germantown and see what adventures the next day would bring.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
