1999
Cutrer Mansion
Clarksdale
The Cutrer Mansion is an Italian Renaissance villa in Clarksdale that was built in 1916 by J. W. Cutrer and his wife Blanche Clark Cutrer. Tennessee Williams, who lived in Clarksdale as a child, was inspired to model some of his characters after Clarksdale’s prominent citizens, such as the Cutrer family. In 1999, the Cutrer Mansion was slated to be demolished. Delta State University and the community of Clarksdale put preservation in action and set out to save this piece of Mississippi’s history. The Mississippi Heritage Trust alongside local residents worked to secure initial funding for the restoration of the Cutrer Mansion. With additional support from the state of Mississippi, the house has been fully restored.
Farish Street Historic District
Jackson
One of the state’s largest economically independent African American communities, Farish Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a Jackson historic district. In 1995, the neighborhood was listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Despite numerous efforts to revitalize Fairsh Street, the neighborhood continues to deteriorate.
Historic School Buildings
Statewide
Historic schools are an important part of the historic fabric of communities. While natural causes have destroyed a handful of historic schools in the past few years, the major threat is abandonment that often leads to demolition. The Community Heritage Preservation Grant program, managed by Mississippi Department of Archives and History has provided much-needed support for these important community landmarks around the state, including the old Corinth High School, West Clay Agricultural High School, the old Hattiesburg High School, Eureka School, and Prentiss Institute’s Rosenwald building.
Keesler Bridge
Greenwood
Built in 1924, the Keesler Bridge has carried traffic across the Yazoo River for generations of travelers. A swing-type bridge called a Howe Truss, the Keesler Bridge, serves as the main corridor into downtown Greenwood. After being listed in 1999 on the Mississippi Heritage Trust’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places list, the Keesler Bridge was restored in 2000 with funding from Mississippi Department of Transportation and Mississippi Department of History and Archives.
King Edward Hotel
Jackson
The King Edward Hotel was built in 1923 by New Orleans architect William T. Nolan on the same site as two previous hotels. A significant hub of both social and political activity in Jackson, during its heyday, closed in 1967 and remained vacant for over 40 years. The decaying structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as both a Mississippi Landmark and a Jackson Landmark. After architectural reconstruction a Hilton Garden Inn, located in the King Edward Hotel, opened in the fall of 2009.
Meadvilla
Washington
Built around 1808 in Washington Mississippi, Meadvilla was the home of Cowles Mead, Secretary of the Mississippi Territory. During the later territorial period, the house served as a tavern and stagecoach stop operated by Moses Richardson. In 1828, Meadvilla became the home of Benjamin L. C. Wailes, scientist, historian, first state geologist, and first President of the Mississippi Historical Society. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a significant example of Federal-style architecture. When listed as one of the state’s most endangered properties, the house was severely threatened by deterioration since that time it has been lovingly restored.
Old Corinth Machinery
Corinth
Old Corinth Machinery was one of the oldest surviving industrial buildings in Mississippi. Built in 1869 by architect Martin Seigrest, the building housed multiple businesses over the years including the Alcorn Woolen Mill and Corinth Engine and Boiler Works. In 1912, Corinth Machinery was established and operated in the building until 1983. In 2012, heavy storms caused large portions of the building’s brick walls to collapse and the building was demolished.
Town of Carrollton
Carrollton
A quintessential 19th-century town, Carrollton has a courthouse square surrounded by beautiful homes and commercial buildings. Carrollton is one of the largest national registered districts in the state and several sites are Mississippi Landmarks. The adoption of a Preservation Ordinance combined with efforts from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History inspired the restoration of several downtown buildings and has catapulted the progress of protecting the character of the town.
Vicksburg Campaign and Historic Trail
Vicksburg
The Vicksburg Campaign and Historic Trail tells the significant story of the siege of Vicksburg. Unfortunately, the trail is relatively unknown by the public and the landmark buildings along the trail continue to fall prey to neglect. As part of a comprehensive, statewide Mississippi Civil War Trails project, funded through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) grant program, several projects are underway along the trail. Multiple sites along the campaign trail have been restored and others have been slated to be restored.
White House Hotel
Biloxi
In 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Walter White opened their residence overlooking the Gulf of Mexico to guests. By 1910, the White House Hotel and its expanded grounds were a popular Biloxi beach resort offering golfing, motoring, relaxing, fishing, tennis, and boating. Additions to the original house were built in 1923 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The hotel has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur and reopened in August of 2014.