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By Kara Kimbrough
School has begun and for some, this means the end of summer adventures. However, vacation season is far from over for many and here’s an additional positive thought: decreased crowds create the perfect time for sight-seeing. In Mississippi, it’s hard to find a more magnificent site than the Mighty Mississippi River. One of the most commanding views of the river can be enjoyed from the 300-foot bluffs of the city of Vicksburg. Sweeping vistas of the rolling river aside, there’s so much else to see and do in this beautiful city rapidly approaching its 200th birthday.
Vicksburg has always been one of the favorite places to visit. It’s a love fostered by school field trips to the Vicksburg National Military Park. Ingrained in my memory are school bus rides up the rolling hills, once the battlefield for one of the longest and most notable Civil War battles. My appreciation of Vicksburg has increased in recent years through tours of the breathtakingly-beautiful Old Courthouse grounds and Museum, antebellum homes and historic downtown museums, shops and restaurants. No visit is complete without a stop by the Visitor’s Center along the breathtaking riverfront offering a birds-eye view of the two spectacular river bridges.
Back to the event that put Vicksburg on the map and cemented its permanent place in Civil War history. The 1863 Siege of Vicksburg may have occurred over 160 years ago, but its carefully-preserved remnants spread throughout the city continue to draw thousands of visitors annually from around the world.
The Vicksburg Campaign is considered one of the most decisive Civil War battles. A 47-day battle in the city between Confederate and Union troops ultimately resulted in a surrender from the Southerners and as a result, permanent Northern control of the Mississippi.
Today, the 1,815-acre Vicksburg National Military Park commemorating the battle is comprised of a visitor’s center and USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. Additionally, 22 designated areas along the park's scenic rolling acres contain beautiful, iconic monuments to soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. Visitors to this scenic section of the park can also drive or walk along the route on their own or schedule a guide for an informative tour.
Most notable is the Illinois monument honoring Union soldiers from the state who served and died as a result of the siege. The site of millions of photographs and quite a few marriage proposals, the monument is a grand and imposing structure of granite and marble modeled after the Roman Pantheon. Forty-seven steps lead up to the beautiful monument, one for each day of the siege. Inside, 60 unique bronze tablets line the interior walls, naming all 36,325 Illinois soldiers. Atop the memorial sits a majestic bronze bald eagle.
Visitors to Vicksburg can tour other museums offering additional insights into the city’s rich history. These include the Old Depot Museum’s historical exhibits on the Siege of Vicksburg and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum’s exhibits on the soft drink that was first bottled in the city in 1894.
A can't-miss building is the Old Court House Museum in the heart of the city. The magnificent structure is more than a beautiful memorial to yesteryear, especially for those that know and appreciate history.
Confederate Generals Stephen D. Lee, John C. Breckinridge, and Earl Van Dorn watched from the Courthouse’s cupola as a Confederate battleship battled its way through the Union fleet to safety at Vicksburg. During the war, the building was the target of constant shelling from Union troops, but thankfully suffered only one major hit. And, it was at the Courthouse on July 4, 1863 that the Confederate flag was lowered and the U.S flag was raised as General Grant reviewed his victorious army.
Visitors who venture inside the Old Court House Museum find a plethora of exhibits that draw history buffs from around the world. This includes a large collection of Confederate memorabilia, antiques and portraits and tools used by Indians and early pioneers.
My favorite item in the Courthouse is the original teddy bear that President Theodore Roosevelt gave to a local child after a failed bear hunt in Mississippi. The bear is said to have inspired the name "Teddy Bear". The McCardle Research Library, which features more than 1,400 historical volumes, including cemetery records, business directories, marriage records and much more historical data, is also housed within and is managed by the museum.
There’s also an historic walking tour along the Vicksburg Heritage Walking Trail filled with 35 markers in the downtown and historic districts. Eleven perfectly-restored historic homes, including McRaven, built in 1797, are open for tours.
Vicksburg may be known for its Civil War history, but it was actually founded decades earlier in 1811 and incorporated as a town in 1825. In 2025, Vicksburg will celebrate its bicentennial through a variety of special events and activities to pay homage to 200 years of rich history. The bicentennial will honor individuals and organizations and spotlight its many roles and accomplishments over the past two centuries, ranging from its notable part in the Civil War to its preservation of historic sites.
The five major bicentennial events center around five themes: People, The River, Arts & Culture, Lifestyle and Government & Military. Kicking off the celebrations will be a week of events surrounding the actual anniversary on Jan. 29. 2025. Vicksburg will host a storytelling symposium, parade, banquet and other community events to commemorate the city’s incorporation in 1825. Other events scheduled throughout the year are a music and culture festival; fall family fair; Fourth of July extravaganza complete with fireworks and a commemorative New Year’s Eve celebration.
For more information about Vicksburg’s Bicentennial celebration or to plan a visit to the city, contact Visit Vicksburg at 1-800-221-3536 or check out their website at visitvicksburg.com.
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