Pierced Columns -- An Architectural Mystery

While doing historical research for my recent post about The Siege of Vicksburg, I came across something else I thought was interesting. It seems that there is an architectural element that is found more often in Vicksburg than in any other community — the pierced column. The column is called "pierced" because it is not a solid, round, or square support. The center section is jigsawn in a variety of patterns and split in the middle or slightly lower than middle with a boxed section which often contains a jigsawn ornament. There is a plain or molded base and capital. Upon researching them further, I found that the first pierced columns appeared in about 1870, the height of the steamboat era and when Italianate was the most prevalent style. It has been suggested that the column was designed by a carpenter from one of the steamboats because the center sections of the columns are oftentimes a diamond, heart, or spade — the icons most associated with card playing. Perhaps the carpenter played poker aboard a riverboat and, on a whimsy, incorporated the designs into an architectural element that is still found in Vicksburg today. Unfortunately, his identity remains a mystery. In 1987, the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation conducted an inventory of buildings which retained pierced columns, and at that time, there were 50 existing buildings and evidence through historic photographs of about 50 more buildings which, at one time, had porches supported by pierced columns. Of the existing 50, they discovered 14 different styles of pierced columns. The Foundation also sent inquiries to state historic preservation offices throughout the southeast and north along the Mississippi River requesting information about buildings with similar columns in their states. As a result of their poll, they learned that there were single examples in New Orleans, Pensacola, and a couple of other towns, but no community had anywhere near the number of pierced columns that Vicksburg had. According to an article from the Foundation's website, which was undated, there are only forty buildings left in Vicksburg that retain their pierced columns. One day last week, I drove around Vicksburg to see how many houses with pierced columns I could find. In about an hour and a half, I found 13, the prettiest of which (in my opinion) is The Corners, ca. 1872-73. The architectural style is a combination of Greek Revival and Victorian, with Italianate features. The pierced columns were handmade and each column is unique, featuring hearts and shamrocks, and rings and diamonds, representing love and marriage. The gardens are intact as they were originally designed and laid out, including the original brick walkways which have ring and diamond patterns in the layout, repeating the signs of love and marriage found in the columns on the house. McRaven McRaven is one of the houses I featured in my series on the Haunted Houses of Vicksburg. You can click on the link if you'd like to read its story. Belle Fleur, ca 1872 This is Walnut Hills Restaurant, which has the best fried chicken in the whole wide world. It is featured in 1000 Places to See Before You Die, and if you are ever in Vicksburg, I highly recommend you stop by for lunch. They are in the process of remodeling and there were guys up on the roof when I went by to take these pictures, but at least you can see the pierced columns. It was easy to spot this house, with its unusual color scheme ... I like the way the porch railing on this house repeats the design in the columns ... This is one of the oldest houses I could find with pierced columns. It was built in 1830 by John Lane, who was a member of Vicksburg's founding family. I guess the origin of pierced columns will always remain a mystery, but I think it's kind of nice that Vicksburg is home to so many beautiful examples of this unique architectural element.

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,