Our Adventures in Holly Springs, Mississippi

Our destination for Tuesday was Strawberry Plains at Holly Springs, Mississippi.  We were excited to see the house that Jerry had plumbed and done repair work.  

Jerry became acquainted with Dr. and Mrs. Shackleford at the State Health Department when he worked there in the 1970's.  After doing some work for them in Oklahoma City, they asked if he would go to Strawberry Plains to do work there.  Mrs. Shackleford had inherited the house from her family, the Finleys.  Mr. Davis had originally purchased the land that was ceded from the Chickasaw Indians.  In 1851 Ebenezer Davis constructed the stately house of clay bricks fired on the property.  The house was raided repeatedly during the Civil War and ultimately burned by Union Troops under the command of General U.S. Grant.  It had been repaired a few times, then after Mrs. Margaret Finely Shackleford became the owner, she restored it and furnished it with family heirlooms and furniture from that era.  Not only did Jerry do work on the house, he also worked on a shop building on the place for Mr. Shackleford.

The house was donated to the Autoboun Society after her death and is maintained by them now.

A tour of 2 houses, plus the Marshall County Historical Museum  and Holly Springs Cenetery had been set up with Shamecca, a tour guide there. 

Booker Hardward store that had been in Holly Springs since 1837.  It was packed with some interesting things.

Jerry and Mel visiting with the owner

Shamecca, our tour guide

We visited Jennie's  Flowers and Gift store next door to the tourism office.  After visiting with the lady, Irene, Jerry found out that she knew The Shacklefords and other people during that time.

Margaret and I found a couple of goodies at the store.

Strawberry Plains Audubon Center

One of Mississippi's finest natural and historic treasures - with more than 200 species of birds, extensive gardens of native plants and the antebellum Davis house.  2500 acres of diverse wildlife habitat and 15 miles of walking trails encompasses the Center.  Visitor programs are offered throughout the year.  

This is the sign posted on the shed at Strawberry Plains.

While doing work on the house, Jerry and Dr. Shackleford stayed in this cabin.  Mrs. Shackleford stayed in town and would come out to cook meals for them.

Strawberry Plains

Shamecca and her director

Several things Jerry knew about the house that no one else knew.  For example, this staircase was found in Memphis by Mrs. Shackleford.  When taking the stairs apart for transporting, they labeled each piece with Roman Numerals so it would be reassembled correctly.

One side of the double parlor

The other side of the parlor

Mrs. Shackleford's retreat area.  Dr. Shackleford never came into the room because he did not agree with how the addition was done.  He would stand at the door and talk to her.

Discussing pictures of the couple

The kitchen

A beautiful dining room

A guest bedroom

Mrs. Shackleford's bedrooom

Dr. Shackleford's bedroom

Enjoying the garden area

Dr. Shackleford's shop building which is now the director's office

Jerry was the star knowing so much about the place!  The ladies even called the director to come and meet Jerry.  The director asked Jerry if he could call and inquire about various things in the house, around the house  and shop building.  Jerry said, "Of course!".

Quite the history involving this house!

Lunch

Lunch at Annie's Restaurant had been arranged for us.  Ms. Annie was there to greet us herself; in fact, each of us got a hug from her.  The fried chicken was delicious as well as the veggies and for dessert we had peach and pecan cobbler.  It was the first time for pecan cobbler - it was very much like pecan pie, but not quite as thick.  Annie had chow-chow that she had made herself.  Delicious!  We had to bring some home with us.

Ms. Annie

The buffet

Can't wait to "dig in" to our meal

 Ms. Annie and Shameeca serenaded us with a beautiful song!

Annie's Chow-chow

After lunch we went  to see the Magnolia House, built in 1852 by William F. Mason, one of the founders of the town, as a wedding gift for his daughter.  The Gothic style shows New Orleans influences.  The Tudor arched entrance has a door which bears the marks of a bayonet that was thrust through it when the home was raided during the Civil War.  The home was used largely in the movie "Cookies Fortune" in 1999, which is when it received its pink color.

The Magnolia House

The owner of Magnolia House
He and his wife are both fire-fighters and are working on restoring the house.

Holly Springs Cemetery

The Finley Home

Mrs. Shackleford's sister owned this house which was built in 1856 by Mrs. Rufus Jones for her daughter who married Dr. Bernard Shuford, a surgeon in the Confederate army.  General Grant's personal physician used the house with his medical personnel during Union occupation.  The home was donated to the Audubon Society by Miss Finely in honor of her parents.

Marshall County Historical Museum

After spending time in Holly Springs we drove to "Ole Miss" University in Oxford, Mississippi.

 Our destination that night was Holiday Inn Express in Corinth, Mississippi.  For their guests they had a snack of chicken Ro-tel, bread and coconut cake.  Delicious!

The lady who prepared the cake and chicken Ro-tel

A fun and informative day in Mississippi!