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Experience History from the Luxury of a Southern Pre-Civil War Mansion

Experience History from the Luxury of a Southern Pre-Civil War Mansion

Photo gallery for Experience History from the Luxury of a Southern Pre-Civil War Mansion

Exterior
Aerial view
Exterior
Pool
Pool

Overview of Experience History from the Luxury of a Southern Pre-Civil War Mansion

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 10576 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Explore the area

Map
Vicksburg, MS
  • Popular LocationBiedenharn Coca-Cola Museum5 min walk
  • Popular LocationVicksburg Convention Center14 min walk
  • Popular LocationVicksburg National Military Park3 min drive
  • AirportJackson, MS (JAN-Evers Intl.)60 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Experience History from the Luxury of a Southern Pre-Civil War Mansion

Stay in this historic pre-civil war mansion in the heart of historic Vicksburg which was updated in 2013 and has a private pool.

Constructed in 1830, Featherston-Magruder House was first built as a single story structure for Vicksburg's first school and its headmaster, Richard Featherson, and his family, who owned a planation south of Vicksburg on the Natchez trace and ran a supply chain serving the Americans in the Revolutionary War. Dr. Alex Magruder, the great grandson of an indentured servant who arrived in Virginia from Scotland in1653 expanded the house to two stories in 1850 and used the original as a clinic where he treated victims of the 1853 Yellow Fever Outbreak that killed half the city's population. Sold in 1869 to Nathaniel Thomas, son of General George Thomas of the Union army, the house was later owned by Tom Morrissey, a steamboat captain and liquor dealer. Built by slaves in the Greek Revival style, the house was remodeled with Italianate features. This historic mansion was spared the destruction of the siege because of the prisoners of war next door and managed to be hit by only one dud cannonball, which is now a door stop in the parlor.

Located at the epicenter of Civil War history, the property sits in the middle of historic Vicksburg and has easy access to the Civil War national park, a number of historic cotton and sugar plantations, the USS Cairo Museum and is one hour drive from Natchez. The home is a perfect way to end your visit to the Blues Trail and is conveniently located to the riverboat casinos and some of the country's best hunting grounds and bird watching sanctuaries.

The home is one of the first Italianate architecture homes in the US and is decorated with period pieces from 1850s and still feels homey despite its 19th century grandeur.


The property is adjacent to the county jail, which served a the central holding place for Union POWs, as well as to the old courthouse where Jefferson Davis accepted the presidency of the Confederacy and three years later Gen. Ulysses S. Grant accepted the surrender of the Confederate Army on July 4th, 1863.

The estate has its own private pool as well as five updated bathrooms, two of which are ensuite. There is a pool house which can be added to the rental for an additional $190 per night and is Vrbo property number 1099861. The property is situated in the middle of Vicksburg, high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. Sit on a rocking chair on the grand porch and imagine yourself back in time.

Property manager

John A Wright

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Vicksburg

Located in Vicksburg, this villa is in the city center and on a river. Old Warren County Court House Museum and Martha Vick House are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mississippi River and Catfish Row Children's Art Park. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Vicksburg, MS

What's nearby

  • Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum - 5 min walk
  • Lower Mississippi River Museum - 8 min walk
  • Vicksburg Convention Center - 14 min walk
  • Vicksburg National Military Park - 3 min drive
  • Ameristar Casino Vicksburg - 6 min drive

Getting around

  • Evers Intl. Airport (JAN) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 2 min drive
  • Burger King - 4 min drive
  • McDonald's - 6 min drive
  • Walnut Hills - 1 min walk
  • Martin's at Midtown - 14 min walk

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Bobbi M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Historic Mansion
We are frequent VRBOers and have never experienced a home like this. First the hosts were fabulous and made our stay so pleasurable. This is a true Antebellum Mansion. It is full of beautiful furniture and antiques that enhance the grandeur of this home. The modern conveniences are evident from the Viking stove that we used to prepare dinner for 16 family members that came over. The pool was heated and ready for my little niece to jump in on our arrival. There are historic facts and items of interest all throughout the home. If you are looking for a great place to stay in Vicksburg I fully recommend staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
We love staying at this property! It’s truly a beautiful home!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gregory K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magnificent Southern Mansion
This historic home is beautiful, thoughtfully furnished, and well-kept. Our family had a wonderful experience. All aspects of our stay were excellent. The owner and staff were extremely helpful with all communication. We enjoyed a memorable time at this outstanding accommodation.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tisha P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best VRBO
By far the best VRBO experience from start to finish! Many things could have gone wrong due to horrible storms but precious Lorna handled everything like a PRO! She is a gem. The house is spotless and has every amenity. The history of the house added to its charm. This was our son’s wedding weekend so we were extremely busy with people in and out. The home was big enough to hold all of the groomsmen as they dressed and relaxed before wedding time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful and comfortable!
House is so wonderful, clean, and comfortable. We had everything we need and more!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by John A Wright

Host profile image
John Wright is the former editor of The Wall Street Journal in Asia and makes Hong Kong and New York his home. A native of Minnesota, Mr. Wright Is the founder of American Estate Villas, a company dedicated to luxury accommodations in key American cultural and heritage destinations.

Why they chose this property

The history of the American South is one of the most important to the development of American Culture, from slavery to Civil Rights. As such, this historically and architecturally significant property provides a perfect means by which to experience the Deep South from a base in Vicksburg, Mississippi, a city whose geographical location along the Mississippi River put it at the center of the cotton industry, the Mississippi Waterway Trade, the economic development of the South, the removal of Native Americans, French and Spanish Colonialism, the Civil War, the Klu Klux Klan, and the Civil Rights struggle for African Americans as well as the birth place of America's music, the Blues.

What makes this property unique

The sweeping staircase and grand parlors, as well as the decorative architectural elements have made this National Historic Register home a rare survivor of time. The rafters still are charred from a roof fire in the Civil War, but the building remains intact and updated. There is a marble fireplace in every room.
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