Like so many towns along the Mississippi River, Vicksburg was home to lavish plantations and farms where cotton and other products could be shipped up or downstream to market. Cotton planters became millionaires but at the cost of enslaved labor.
Some of these historic homes in the 300-year-old town are still standing and are open to tours. They’re a popular day trip for those traveling with river cruises. Some homes are only open during the Vicksburg Pilgrimage, seasonal tours of homes, but others are open year-round. During these pilgrimages, you can visit multiple homes for one price.
Most can be seen by a group tour, which we’ve linked to, as well as independently by renting a car from the airport rental car counters in Jackson.
A Note On Plantations: These homes have a dark history that shouldn’t be ignored. Only you can decide whether this is something you’re interested in doing. Read this post for more perspectives on both sides of the debate.
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Historic Homes in Vicksburg
Anchuca Mansion
Built in 1830, Anchuca was built by a local politician but later became the home of Jefferson Davis’ brother, hosting the Confederate president after the Siege of Vicksburg. Originally a smaller wooden cabin, the name comes from the Choctaw word for “happy home.”
Today, it operates as Anchuca Historic Mansion & Inn with overnight accommodations in antiques-filled rooms, guided tours, and a restaurant. The menu includes Southern favorites like surf and turf and shrimp and grits.
Annabelle
Annabelle is an 1868 Victorian Italianate home built for John Alexander Klein. A guest house was added in 1881. Today it operates as an award-winning bed and breakfast with six rooms with antique beds, an outdoor pool, and rocking chairs to relax in.
Baer House
The Baer House was built in 1870 in the Victorian style, purchased by Leona Blume after it suffered major damage during the Siege of Vicksburg, redesigning it. She later married German-Jewish merchant Lazrus Baer and the two shared the home. Features like a two-story outhouse were added for them to host guests.
Now it operates as Baer House Inn, which has six guest rooms with private bathrooms, chandeliers, and antiques. Note that there are no ADA-accessible rooms.
Bazsinsky House
The Bazinksky House was completed in 1861, just two years before the Siege of Vicksburg, for Joseph Bazsinsky. It was built as a townhouse as the family had another home in the country. It remained a home for his large Jewish family through four generations until early in the 21st Century.
Today, the Bazsinsky House operates as a bed and breakfast. The two large guest rooms have Jacuzzis, king sized beds, and daily breakfast.
Corners Mansion
Corners Mansion was built in 1872 by John Alexander Klein for his daughter. It represents a number of architectural styles, including Greek Revival and Italianate. It has its original columns and French Creole gardens, along with heart pine floors.
The home now operates as Corners Mansion Inn, with 16 guest rooms filled with antiques, televisions, and whirlpool tubs. The property is pet-friendly and has free WiFi and parking, along with daily breakfast.
Duff Green Mansion
Duff Green Mansion is an 1856 home in Vicksburg that once played host to Civil War soldiers. Built in the Palladian style, it’s even rumored to be haunted, featured on Ghost Hunters. You can find out for yourself and take tours of the property.
It now operates as a bed and breakfast and is one of the best places to stay in the Mississippi Delta. The main house has cozy rooms set around a courtyard with a pool. Guests enjoy a three-course breakfast daily.
Grey Oaks Plantation
Grey Oaks Plantation was originally built in the Federalist style near Port Gibson. In 1936, it was purchased in a state of disrepair and built using some of the materials in its current location outside of Vicksburg. Today, it operates as a wedding and event venue.
Martha Vick House
The Greek Revival home was built in 1830 for Martha Vick, the unmarried daughter of Vicksburg founder Newit Vick. After her death, it was used as a church parsonage. It’s been carefully restored with period furnishings and tours are offered on weekdays by appointment.
McNutt House
The McNutt House was built in 1826, named for Alexander McNutt, Mississippi’s 12th governor, and is one of the oldest in Vicksburg. Said to be haunted, this house operates tours but also has an inn. Suites have kitchenettes and portraits of the family.
McRaven
McRaven is on of the most facinating homes in Vicksburg, built by Andrew Glass in three periods: 1797, 1836, and 1849. It was first a place for pioneers to stay on their travels and later turned into a home, with Empire and Greek Revival details. In 1882, William Murray bought the home and his daughters lived in it without air conditioning, plumbing, or power until 1960.
During the Civil War, it was used as a hospital, but this was only part of the tragedies that have occured here. There are a number of ghosts reported here, including 14 in the house and hundred on the grounds. The most recent owner left in 2008 after an altercation with a spirit and never returned.
McRaven has been open for tours since 1961 and has appeared on Ghost Adventures. Visitors can go on daytime or evening tours.
Oak Hall
The Fannie Willis Johnson Home was built in 1910 in the Mission Revival style, replacing an earlier Victorian home that was moved down the street. It was the owner’s city home as they also had a Delta plantation. It contains features like 32 stained glass windows, pocket doors, and original light fixtures.
After Johnson’s husband died, it became a widows home. Today, it’s an inn known as Oak Hall with six luxurious suites with televisions and mini-fridges. Guests enjoy daily breakfast in the parlor and free WiFi and parking.
Historic Vicksburg Restaurants
Some of Vicksburg’s historic homes and buildings have taken on a new life as restaurants.
Walnut Hills
The home was built in 1880 by the Rogers family and a century later opened as Walnut Hills Restaurant. The restaurant is known for its Southern cuisine, specificially the fried chicken. The popular restaurant gets busy for lunch, so go early.
PIN IT
I worked at McRaven from 1961 to 1964 ans never heard, felt or saw a ghost. However, there were plenty in the Old Chapel on the Mississippi College campus.