Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Gates of Vicksburg ...

Set high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Vicksburg is literally a photographer's treasure trove. Not that I'm a photographer ... I come closer to being just a "picture-taker" ... but I dearly love the excitement and satisfaction of capturing unique pictures of people and things through the eye of my camera lens.

And in Vicksburg, everywhere you look there are historical buildings, antebellum homes, beautiful old churches with steeples that are truly works of art, and ... old gates, which I love.

Yesterday morning I left home fairly early, camera, cell phone, and glasses in hand, and drove the streets of Vicksburg in pursuit of some of these old gates.

I'm happy to say my search was successful and I'd like to share my findings with you.

This first gate welcomes you to Beaulieu. Built in 1899, as a private residence, it is the only Victorian mansion of its architectural type in the city.

I love the ornate floral center ...

The "scrolly" birds on this beautiful gate caught my eye, and I love the posts ...

I think this little gate is neat, although it may not be very old ...

This old ornate gate welcomes guests to Cedar Grove Mansion and Inn ...

[Note of interest: Construction on Cedar Grove was completed in 1852, and during the Civil War Cedar Grove experienced bombardment by cannon. A cannon ball is still lodged in the parlor wall.]

And this old gate is at one of the guests cottages across the street from Cedar Grove. The cottages were renovated and are available to guests.

I love the front door and brick columns as much as the gate on this one ...

From one extreme to another, but I dearly love this shabby old gate and fence with the trumpet vine growing on it ...

I hope you're still with me ... I have MORE!

The little brass latch on this gate caught my eye, as well as the lush green landscaping and steps ...

I wish I had gotten a closeup view of the detailing on this elegant little Fleur De Lis gate ... Unfortunately, some of its finials are missing, but isn't it sweet!

I love the simple elegance of this gate at the entrance to the Harding-Johnston House. Built in 1900, the house is on the National Register of Historical Places.

Here is a closeup view. Notice the little clover-shaped design in the center ...

This is a little sweetie ...

A photo tour of gates would not be complete without a white picket fence and gate, and I love this Victorian lady ...

This old gate belongs to the Corners Mansion and Inn, another antebellum home in Vicksburg, which was built in 1873.

Notice that the little flower design is on both sides of the gate ...

And last, but certainly not least, I found this old gate on a condemned building that was boarded up. I wish I could find out if they'd like to sell it -- I have a perfect place for it in my backyard.

I had fun on my little "gate adventure" and hope you enjoyed seeing my pictures. And now, I can't wait to see what kind of adventure today brings.

Sincerely,

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I love this post Janie! I think your pictures qualify you as a photographer!
We toured Cedar Grove on our Mississippi Tour I told you about earlier.
You certainly do some great subject to write about and photograph in Vicksburg.

Rue said...

I absolutely LOVED this tour! All the pictures were excellent :)

I'm so sad about that house being condemned. I would ask around and see if you can get the gate and whatever else that might be in the house.

rue

Nancy Rosalina said...

Oh, Janie, I enjoyed the tour! Those gates are right down my alley!!!! BTW, thank you so much for the award!! I will post about as soon as I figure out how to do it...I am so slow when it comes to computer stuff! I will get my son to help me with it. Hope you have a great day. Nancy

Unknown said...

I love Vicksburg. We had a three-day field trip with the school when each of my sons was in 5th grade which means I was able to visit twice. They were studying the Civil War and I was a chaperone for each trip. These pictures are reminding me that I want to go back and do more of an "adult" trip. For the life of me I can't remember the name of a restaurant we visited the second time. It was in an old home (of course) and everything was served family style. We had some "Yankee moms" on the trip and I got them all to try greens with pepper sauce and peas and cornbread. Yum!
Love, love, love the pictures!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Janie, I love all your gate pics! That was so much fun to see, so thanks for taking such great pics. I adore gates of all kind & these are so old and elegant at the same time.

Rhoda

Anonymous said...

Hi! I wanted to let you know that I am from Vicksburg and now live in New Orleans. I have enjoyed your posts on both cities! God bless!

Anonymous said...

I meant to add... my great grandmother lived in the Johnston house for many many years. It is lovely inside as well. My father helped restore it. :) So thanks once again for posting! Where can I find your email address? I post anonymously on here but would love to be able to give you a link to my blog!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures and such lovely gates. Dont' you wonder who all passed through these and what mission they were on? I'm new to blogland and would really love for you to come visit me any time!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the fact that you find the awesomely beautiful in the everyday things we pass by. I believe that is a gift. Thanks so much for letting us view the world from your perspective. ksarra(rms)

Karin said...

Another very inspiring tour! I enjoyed your cemetery walk and this was just as thought provoking. I love how you see art in what most would consider mundane. I have a picture of a house in the french Quarter with the iron fence that looks like corn. Have you seen it? The fence was commissioned by the man of the house for his homesick Midwestern bride.

It must be so fun to live in a town where you are surrounded by so much history!

Laura said...

My husband and I have stayed at Cedar Grove several times. It is a wonderful bed and breakfast. Each guest room is named after a character in "Gone with the Wind" or a Southerner. Very nice and yes, we have seen the cannon ball.