Driving Tour

1. Begin at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. 300 Main St. Built c.1875, this building was the rectory for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, one block south. Thomas Lanier Williams, III was born here in 1911 when his grandfather was rector.. Moved to make way for church expansion, the house now serves as the Welcome Center. National Register. National Literary Landmark.

2. Elks Lodge. 309 Main. Built in 1901, this two story, brick Queen Anne structure was home to the Benevolent Order of Elks, Columbus Lodge. This time has been called the golden age of fraternal organizations, and three such organizations were housed in downtown Columbus. The Elks Lodge was a center of Columbus social life during the first half of the 20th century. National Register.

Drive east on Main Street.

3. The McGahey Building, now the National Bank of Commerce. 427 Main St. Built 1908. Late Renaissance Revival, four story brick building with a distinctive clock hanging at the corner. The clock was moved from the previous bank location one block south. The 8” vault inside has never been breached. Miss. Dept. of Archives and History Preservation Award.

4. City Hall. 525 Main St. A 1903 Georgian Revival Structure. The small building extending west was once the police department and city jail. Around the corner at 115 6th St N is a unique Romanesque Revival building. The north part was built before 1885 to be the Columbus Light Artillery Armory. The south part of the building was constructed in 1903 to be the City Fire Station. It is the oldest and only known surviving example of a city militia armory in the state of Mississippi, and one of only a few in the nation. Now the Firehouse Commons Condos. Find the openings for the stable doors. Miss. Heritage Trust Award. Mississippi Historic Landmark.

5. Main Street Presbyterian Church. 110 7th St. N. The 1885 brick structure is the second on the site, the first dated to 1829. In 1894, the church established the Palmer Home for Children. Late Gothic Revival style.

Continue east on Main Street.

6. The Sanders Home. 1103 Main St. This is the second Sanders home on this location. The first, built by Mr. Sanders’ great-grandfather, burned in 1917. This house was constructed around the northeast bedroom, the only room not burned. Completed in 1919, the three story Georgian structure is the last remaining large home of all those that lined Main Street in past years.

Turn north at 13th Street. Go to 3rd Ave and turn west.

7. Ole Magnolia. 1219 3rd Ave N. Built c. 1853. In 1900, David McClanahan, then Mayor of Columbus, purchased the property and incorporated the old kitchen house into the main structure. He made the house large enough for his wife and 10 children, including a secret compartment in the master bedroom where he hid his liquor from his teetotaling wife. Currently undergoing a major expansion.

8. Baskerville Manor. 905 3rd Ave. N. The elegant Italianate townhouse, 1860, was the last home completed in Columbus before the outbreak of the Civil War. It was added on to the earlier 1840s structure, a coach stop on the Military Road. The first owners were Laura Young Whitfield of Waverley Plantation and her husband Henry Whitfield, son of Governor James Whitfield of Snowdoun, just across the street. A two story brick coach house and smokehouse remain intact.

9. Snowdoun. 906 3rd Ave N. c 1854. A Greek Revival home with octagonal features built by Gov. James Whitfield. When Jefferson Davis was campaigning for the U.S. Senate, he stayed here, but his sleep was disturbed by a noisy crowd of supporters. To calm them, he addressed them from the balcony in his nightshirt! In 1863, the home was sold to John M. Billups whose descendants were to remain for 100 years. Recent owners have added sumptuous modern conveniences to ensure that this magnificent edifice is also a comfortable, livable home. National Register. National Landmark

10. Sneed Home. 823 3rd Ave. N. 1905. A classic Colonial Revival home has been updated to include every modern convenience and luxury.

11. Sims Law Office. 809 3rd Ave. N. 1870s. Italianate frame cottage, beautifully maintained.

12. Taynore. 806 3rd Ave N. 1854. Greek Revival. Taynore served as the parsonage for the adjacent First Baptist Church and was the residence of the nationally known Rev. Thomas Teasdale. Born in New Jersey and educated in New York, he knew both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. His concern for children was well known, and when he requested they both sign a document allowing him to carry needed supplies to the Mississippi Orphans Home, they both did. His grave in Friendship Cemetery is marked by the Weeping Angel sculpture, a fitting marker for a universally acknowledged good man.

13. Franklin Academy. Est. 1921, the oldest free public school in Mississippi. The first frame building was 30’ x 40’. In 1835, two 2-story brick buildings were constructed, one for boys and one for girls with a fence between. In 1877, Union Academy, the school for African American children established by the American Missionary Association, became a separate branch of Franklin Academy. The historic marker in front details further history. Today, Franklin Academy is an elementary school.

14. Franklin Square. 423 3rd Ave. N. 1835. Pascal Wade hired pioneer builder Neil Bartee to construct the imposing brick structure. A pedimented portico with two pairs of square columns on the east side flanks a full two story portico with four pairs of square columns on the main, southern entry. Sydney Franklin bought it in 1870 and made a major expansion. Six generations of his descendants have lived in this magnificent home.

15. L. J. Frank Home. 406 3rd Ave. N. 1835. Built by Pascal Wade. During Reconstruction, it was occupied by a Carpetbagger who hid his gold in the well on the place. Part of Factory Hill et al Historic District, National Register.

16. Taylor-Nash House. 401 3rd Ave. N. Probably built in early 1830s by James Taylor. Raised cottage with a 5-bay design with two separate doors opening to the front porch. During the first half of the 20th century, it was the home of the prominent educator, Professor S. M. Nash. Part of Factory Hill Historic District, National Register.

Continue west on 3rd Ave. N. to the Columbus Soccer Complex. Turn left at the Soccer Fields. Go to 2nd Ave N. Turn right and go one block west. Observe the brick church on your left.

17. Site of the Shiloh Missionary Church. In 1821, enslaved people built a shelter of brush in the grove here and held worship services. Called a “brush arbor” church.

Turn and go east on 2nd Ave N.

18. The Haven. 315 2nd Ave N. 1843. The only structure in Columbus built as a home before the Civil War by and for two free men of color. Thomas and Isaac Williams came from South Carolina, bought the property, and constructed the 2-story brick and frame house in the Low Country style. Thomas’s blacksmith shop was located on a corner of the property. The Williams brothers moved to Texas in 1850, but the house was only sold in 1858, after Thomas’s death. Artifacts uncovered by Frank and Esther Troskey during restoration in the 1970s are on display in the home. Now an Airbnb.

19. Gleed’s Corner. The southwest corner of 5th St and 2nd Ave N is known as Gleed’s corner for Robert Gleed, a former slave, who established a dry goods store after the Civil War. Gleed was a state senator during Reconstruction and is buried in historic Sandfield Cemetery. The Penney Savings Bank, the first local African American bank, was also located here. The present building is from 1940, rebuilt after a massive fire destroyed a large part of the block.

20. Lowndes County Courthouse. 505 2nd Ave N. The first courthouse was erected in 1832 and was replaced in 1847 by the current building designed by architect James Lull. The courthouse was remodeled and enlarged in 1901 when the clock was installed, then renovated again in 1976.

21. Harrison Law Office. 506 2nd Ave N. 1850. Described by archivist Ken P’Pool as “an architectural jewel, employing only the basics of Grecian design to impart a Classical appearance”. Law office of Judge James T. Harrison and his partner Mr. Harris.

22. Woodmen of the World Building. 1857-1859. One of the largest surviving antebellum office buildings in Mississippi, the lodge hall was on the third floor while two-room offices were on the first and second floors. The buildings on this side of the street are collectively called “Lawyers’ Row”.

23. The Fourth Estate. 624 2nd Ave N. 1902 Colonial Revival style, 2-story brick home.

24. The First Baptist Church. Organized in 1832 by Thomas Blewett, the first structure was built by James Lull in 1838. The second, this Late Gothic Revival church was built in 1908 by R. H. Hunt. The ninth minister was Thomas Teasdale who wanted to build an orphanage for children whose parents had died in the Civil War.

25. Temple B’nai Israel. 712 2nd Ave N. 1960 brick hexagonal building. Organized in 1878, the congregation first rented a building for services for 30 years, then built the first temple on this location. In 1960, the old building was razed and the present temple erected. From above, the building has the shape of the Star of David.

Turn left onto 7th St N.

26. The Lee Home and Museum. 316 7th St. N. 1844. Contains the Florence McLeod Hazard local history museum. Built by James Lull for Thomas Blewett, the most famous resident was Stephen D. Lee, soldier, statesman, educator, and historical preservationist. Married to Blewett’s granddaughter Regina, Lee became the first President of the now Miss. State University. National Register. Mississippi Landmark.

27. Camellia Place. 416 7th St. N. 1847. Greek Revival brick home built by James S. Lull for his personal residence. Mrs. Eugenia Moore bought the home from Lull’s heirs c. 1880 and modernized it by adding dark mahogany woodwork, marble and onyx mantels, and a cherry handrail for the staircase that winds to the 3rd floor cupola. Named for the numerous camellia bushes.

28. The Fort House. 510 7th St. N. The first owner from 1833-1877 was Martha Fort whose first husband was Elias Fort. The Greek Revival features with double porticoes and ornate fretwork between columns was believed added in the 1840s. The house is sumptuously furnished with Belter and other important antiques and decorated with custom Zuber paper and specially reproduced Stark carpet. National Register.

29. Rosewood Manor. 719 7th St N. Built by planter Richard Sykes in 1835, this dignified Greek Revival home is set in the midst of four acres of landscaped gardens. Behind the house is a charming wedding chapel. National Register.

30. Leighcrest. 824 7th St. N. Built c. 1840 by James Lull for Mrs. Cordelia Jones, wife of Dr. Aurelius Jones of Corner Cottage. It passed through several hands until it was sold in 1876 to Capt. Frank M. Leigh. It has remained in the Leigh family until now. It was part of a 1,000 acre farm which stretched from Leigh Mall on Highway 45 to Bluecutt Road. National Register.

Turn East onto Highland Circle.

31. The Lindamood Home. 810 Highland Circle. This stately structure which has also been called Highland House, survives as one of the largest Neoclassical buildings in North Mississippi. Built in 1909 to replace an antebellum structure that burned, the brick came from the brick company owned by Lindamood and Puckett. This type house is sometimes called the “Robber Baron” style. National Register.

32. Schaeffer Place. 1000 10th St. N. Built in 1832 by Rev. George Schaeffer, a Methodist circuit rider whose name still graces Schaefer’s Chapel in western Lowndes County. A historian and writer, Rev. Schaeffer lived here until his death in 1886. His descendants live here still.

Turn left onto 10th Ave N. Go two blocks east, then turn left onto 12th St N.

33. Magnolia Hill. 1006 12th St. N. c. 1826. Thomas C. McGee enclosed a two-room raised log cabin to make a raised cottage which faced Military Road. In 1837, the new owners, the W. B. Winston family, added two Greek Revival wings and a large canopied porch. Inherited by daughter Cornelia Winston and her husband Dr. Cornelius Hardy, the house remained in the Hardy family until 1948.

Turn right and go down the hill to Military. Turn right on Military, then left on 13th St , turning left after Military Hardware to go east on 10th Ave N.

34. Union Academy. 1425 10th Ave N. The historic marker in front of the school details its distinguished role in the education of African American children in Columbus beginning right after the Civil War. Union Academy began as an African American school run by the American Missionary Association until 1877 when it became a branch of the all-white Franklin Academy. Professor W. I. Mitchell served as the school”s first African-American principal from 1878 to 1916.

Turn right on 15th St. Head south.

35. Helen’s Kitchen. 708 15th St. N. A Columbus institution, Helen Karriem is known for the excellence of her southern dishes, the warmth of her welcome, I and her generosity to the community. She continues the family tradition of her mother in their Catfish Alley restaurant, Jones’ Cafe. She was recently recognized by being the Grand Marshal for the Columbus Christmas Parade.

Continue south to 5th Ave N. Turn right.

36. Missionary Union Church. 1207 5th Ave N. Organized in 1833, MU is the oldest African-American church in northeast Mississippi. Services were first held Sunday and Wednesday afternoons in the basement of the all-white First Baptist Church. The church was chartered in 1867 with the Rev. Jesse Boulder as pastor. In 1871, the church purchased the present site and added on to the existing structure. Rev. Boulder organized the General Baptist Assn. of Miss., served in the state legislature, organized the Republican Party in NE Miss., and spearheaded the effort to elect Hiram Revels the first Black U.S. Senator.

Continue West on 5th Ave N

37. Dr. Theodoric V James House. 1104 5th Ave. N. Historically significant as the residence of the first African American physician in Columbus. Dr. James was a graduate of Meharry Medical School in Nashville and maintained an office upstairs over Jones’ Cafe in Catfish Alley. His son T. V. James, Jr. was a longtime employee at the White House in the nation’s capitol. The home is still owned by James’s descendants.

Proceed south on 11th St. Turn right on 3rd Ave. Turn right on 9th St.

38. Sunnyside. 324 9th St N. Built in 1834, architect William O’Neal added the Columbus Eclectic features in an 1854 renovation. National Register.

Proceed with caution across Military Road on 9th St N. Yield to oncoming cars.

39. The Harrison- Imes Home. 419 9th St. N. The historic marker reads, “Built by Thomas Blewett c. 1840 for his daughter Regina and James Harrison, leading lawyer and politician. Site of 1865 marriage of Stephen D. And Regina Harrison Lee.” The 2-story brick construction is reminiscent of the S. D. Lee Home.

40. Temple Heights. 515 9th St N. Built in 1837 by Richard Brownrigg as a copy of a family home in North Carolina, there are two rooms and a stair hall on each of four floors. The federal facade was altered in 1854 by the addition of 14 Doric columns on three sides to reflect the newer Greek Revival style. Later the home of Jane Fontaine of Decoration Day fame. National Register. Mississippi Landmark.

41. Josh Meador Birthplace. 823 6th Ave N. The historic marker points out the childhood home of the Disney animator and special effects innovator. Early sketches are preserved in the small garage behind the home.

42. The Harris-Wade Home. 608 9th St N. Date unknown. The first version of the home is believed to be antebellum and faced Military Road. Additions c. 1900 have resulted in a graceful Queen Anne residence which faces 9th St. Mayor Thomas Harris lived here in the early 20th century, and his only child Martha became a mathematics professor who married Dr. Clyde Kilby, a distinguished English professor and authority on the works of C. S. Lewis and Tolkien. Observe the lovely landscaped gardens of the present owners.

43. Aldan Hall. 901 7th Ave N. Built by John Shelby Topp in 1840, the original Federal structure was two rooms over two with a central stair hall. Mr. Topp was a lawyer and trustee of both Franklin Academy and the Columbus Female Institute. With eleven children, he had a vested interest in education. When the Topp family moved in 1854, the property was purchased by James Sykes, planter and member of a prominent family. Sykes enlarged the home and added the Greek Revival portico. Wayne Bryan made extensive restorations in the 1980s. The name Aldan Hall is for the two Bryan sons.

44. The Oaks. 904 7th Ave N. 1835. A gravely endangered historic home. Built by Joseph Sykes, uncle to James Sykes of Aldan Hall, the house originally faced Military Road. The gingerbread trim was added when it was decided that the north entrance would be the main one, probably when the streets were first paved. Gardens and orchards originally extended all the way down to Military.

Turn left onto 7th Ave N. Proceed west.

45. The Dowsing-Banks Home. 820 7th Ave N. 1840. View the consequences of selling one’s front yard. Only the rear of what is currently an apartment building may be seen from 7th Ave. William Dowsing, Land Registrar and a trustee of Franklin Academy, lived here with his wife and 11 children before selling to Dunstan Banks. Captain H. D. Foote and his 7 children lived here next. They were related to Shelby Foote, the Civil War historian and author. There were stories of the ghost of Capt. Foote walking upstairs in the house long after his death.

46. The Reed Cabins. 811 6th Ave N. The rear of the 3 log cabins collected by Mrs. Beth Reed may be seen from 7th Ave.

Turn left onto 8th St, then left on 6th Ave N.

47. Wisteria Place. 524 8th St N. 1854. This Greek Revival home was built in 1854 by James Lull for William R. Cannon, state senator. Cannon did not get to enjoy his home for long, dying of typhoid fever in 1858 just after his 54th birthday. Two years later, his widow married Alexander Meek, poet and former professor at the University of Alabama. Wisteria Place was renowned for its hospitality and lively gatherings.

Ride past the fronts of the Reed Cabin, then try to glimpse the front of the Dowsing-Banks Home. This is made difficult by the fact a brick house obscures the front of the house.

Pass in front of Temple Heights on the right, then continue down the hill to Military, passing the lovely gardens of the Harris-Wade Home.

Turn right on Military and follow it back to Main Street.

This concludes the Northside Tour.