Windsor Ruins In Mississippi Was Named One Of The Most Stunning Lesser-Known Places In The U.S.
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published March 17, 2020
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
We’ve got tons of stunning sights here in the Magnolia State, but none quite compare to the Windsor Ruins. The hauntingly beautiful ruins are all the remain of what was once the largest antebellum home in all of Mississippi. Truly a sight to see, it’s not surprising that Windsor Ruins have repeatedly been deemed a must-visit and dubbed a hidden gem – and we’ve gotta say, we agree. Take a look:
Located in Port Gibson, the Windsor Ruins were recently included in Insider.com’s list of the best hidden gems you can visit in every US state.
Not surprisingly, it’s not the first time the ruins have been acknowledged. Throughout the years, the famous site has been hailed everything from the state’s most underrated attraction to the most scenic spot.
At the site, you’ll find 23 towering columns and five partial columns – all that remains of what was once an enormous 4-story mansion, which belonged to Smith Coffee Daniell, II.
You’ll also find signage that features information on Windsor’s history as well as a picture of the massive mansion. Discovered in 1990, the photo, which was sketched by a Union soldier in 1863, is the only known picture of Windsor.
The lavish home, which took over two years to build, was completed in 1861. In addition to the massive columns with iron Corinthian capitals, the home was outfitted with an array of luxe features.
One such feature was the rooftop cupola, which, during the Civil War, was used as an observation post by both Confederate and Union troops. Following the war, Mark Twain used the cupola to take in views of the Mighty Mississippi.
The Windsor Ruins are open daily from dawn until dusk. There’s no cost for admission. For more information, call the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) at (601) 576-6952. You can also visit the MDAH website.
This isn’t the state’s only lesser-known sight that’s easy on the eyes. Read about another here.
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