Standing since the 1700s, these homes offer a look into the lives of people who lived in Mississippi over 200 years ago.
Mississippi is a distinct state in many respects. French explorers landed here in 1699 in what is now Ocean Springs. Before becoming a U.S. territory in 1798 and its admission to the Union as a state in 1817, it was ruled by France followed by Great Britain and Spain.
Not only does that make Mississippi culturally rich, but it also makes it one of the nation’s older states. While the first states were formed in the late 1700s, Arizona and New Mexico didn’t become states until 1912 and Alaska and Hawaii didn’t receive statehood until 1959.
Although the state is vastly different from how it must have been in the early days, there are windows that offer a look into what life was like and examples are the homes they left behind. From homes built in part with oyster shells to some built with squared timbers to others constructed by more modern methods, they reflect an evolution of the state.
While reading this, you may ask, “Why isn’t The Old French House in Biloxi and King’s Tavern in Natchez on the list?” While popular restaurant Mary Mahoney’s, which is in The Old French House, claims it was constructed in 1737, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area dates it to around 1835. Other sources don’t support the 1737 date, either.
King’s Tavern was also left off the list. According to the Historic Natchez Foundation, the most recent research dates its construction around 1798 and not the 1769 date which is widely circulated.
So, here’s a look at five of the oldest homes that still stand in Mississippi.
Richmond
Richmond is a grand home in Natchez, but it started life a bit more humble. According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the central portion was constructed around 1785 and was a raised cottage.
It was purchased by Levin R. Marshall in 1832 and remodeled with additions shortly after and again in 1860. The additions show both Federal and Greek Revival styles making it one of the most interesting mansions in Natchez. It is considered one of the most significant Greek Revival residences in the nation and given its age, may have introduced Greek Revival styling into Natchez architecture.
The home remains in Marshall’s family and tours are available.
More: These trees are among the oldest in MS and some may date back 1,000 years
Mount Locust
Mount Locust was built around 1780. According to NatchezTraceTravel.com, it initially served as an inn on the Old Natchez Trace where travelers could stop for the night. Located near Natchez, it was one of more than 50 such homes along the Natchez Trace and the only one that still exists.
The Natchez Trace was heavily traveled at the time because boats carrying goods down the Mississippi River could not go back upriver. So, crews on the boats had to make their return journey by foot on the Natchez Trace.
Travel on the Natchez Trace went into decline when steamboats came into use on the Mississippi River and Mount Locust became a plantation where cotton was grown and the inn closed.
According to NatchezTraceTravel.com, the house is currently closed to tours, but can be viewed from the grounds.
More: Researchers work to compare lives of Mississippi slaves to how they lived in Liberia
Hope Farm
Hope Farm is also in Natchez and according to the Library of Congress, has a section that was constructed in 1775. It is believed to have been the home of Don Carlos de Grand Pre, the Spanish Commandant of the Natchez District, according to MDAH.
The home is a raised cottage with a low-pitched roof and features large porches on the front and back. It has been remodeled many times, but has retained its character as a structure of the Spanish Provincial period in Mississippi.
The home was heavily damaged by fire in 2023, but according to The Natchez Democrat, was purchased by Laine and Kevin Berry of Our Restoration Nation for restoration.
Dog Trot House
Scotia, or the Dog Trot House, dates back to 1768 according to the Grand Gulf Military Park. It was built in an area of Franklin County known as Scotia and settled by Scotch highlanders the same year.
It is constructed with cypress and pine timbers that were hewn square with broadaxes. Some of the logs measure 52 feet in length. It is held together by dove-tail notches and wooden pegs. No nails were used in its construction. Its name comes from the open area in the center called a “dog trot”.
The two-story design is unusual because most frontier homes were one-story. The top floor was a living area and the bottom floor was a stage stop for travelers.
The home was moved to the Grand Gulf Military Park near Port Gibson in 1974 and can be toured.
LaPointe-Krebs House
Built in 1757, LaPointe-Krebs House in Pascagoula is the oldest modern structure in Mississippi and possibly the most unusual. According to lapointekrebs.org, it is likely the oldest house between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.
It’s also the only remaining example of “tabby” construction on the Gulf Coast. Tabby is a concrete-like material and was made with burned oyster shells. After firing, the shells were mixed with hot water and dissolved. Sand, ash and unfired shells were added to complete the mix. The mixture was then poured into forms where it hardened and became the 12-inch-thick walls of the home.
An addition was built around 1790 with timber framing and mud mixed with Spanish moss or other fibrous material that was coated with stucco or lime wash after it dried. The house has undergone other changes through the years as well.
The home is now a part of the LaPointe-Krebs House & Museum where tours are offered on weekends.
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
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