Vicksburg, Mississippi Day Trip–Historic Vicksburg

The Mississippi River Bridge on I-20 leading into Vicksburg from Louisiana.

Vicksburg's founder Rev. Newitt Vick designated a city block as a public square. After the city was incorporated, it became the county seat in 1825. The original Court House built on the site burned in 1856. In 1843 Jefferson Davis began his political career on the Court Square.

Vicksburg’s crown jewel both architecturally and historically is the Old Courthouse. Built circa 1858 – 1860 it a National Landmark which towers over the city. On July 4, 1863 the Stars and Bars were replaced by the Stars and Stripes at the end of 47-day siege of Vicksburg.

Cannons are predominantly displayed throughout the city and in the National Park.

Historic Downtown Vicksburg

Biedenharn Coca-Cola® Museum (1890) in a restored building where Coca-Cola® was first bottled anywhere in the world in 1894. In addition to the museum there is a restored 1900 soda fountain still serving “ice cream, Coke floats”. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and as a Vicksburg Landmark.

Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum in historic downtown Vicksburg has one of the largest collections in the United States of rare 19th and 20th century French and German bisque dolls. Along with Teddy bears, a multitude of other dolls, trains, pedal cars, rocking horses, toy soldiers and more.

Recycled décor

Catfish Row Children’s Art Park contains playful areas, garden area walks, a splash fountain, children’s art, and unique exhibits.

Old Depot Museum on display are model railroad “HO” scale, “N” scale and “O” scale along with railroad memorabilia. There is a diorama of the battlefield with 2300 miniature soldiers, 250 ship models, exhibits of tow boats and river boats, large Civil Ware vessels. There are 150 model cars which cover the development of the automobile. Models of the different styles of Vicksburg architecture.

River Flood Wall Murals and Street Design are located adjacent to the Children’s Art Park. The first mural was painted in 2001. Most of the murals illustrate the history of Vicksburg.

And the Flood Marks

One day in Vicksburg does not do it justice. There are many more things to see and do. But sometimes, that’s a day trip!

Vicksburg, MS Day Trip–National Military Park

Vicksburg, Mississippi is about 70 miles from Monroe, Louisiana, so a day trip was in order.

Vicksburg located on the Mississippi River was a vital area for control of the river for the Federal government to ensure survival of the Union during the Civil War.

Vicksburg National Military Park has a very informative Visitors Center with life size exhibits and artifacts from the siege of Vicksburg are displayed. The 16 mile tour road has over 1,340 monuments, markers and plaques. The tour road includes a restored Union gunboat (USS Cairo) and the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Allow at least two hours for the tour.

Cannons line the sidewalk adjacent to the Visitor Center parking

The entrance to the National Military Park

The rolling hills in the battlefield

USS Cairo Museum the Union ironclad named for Cairo, IL and commissioned on January 16, 1862. It was struck by two underwater torpedoes north of Vicksburg in the Yazoo River on December 12, 1862. It sank in less than 12 minutes without losing any lives. Raised in 1964, having been preserved in the mud and silt it was later restored. It is the last of the ironclads.

Vicksburg National Cemetery is the second largest national cemetery. The remains of 17,00 Civil War Union soldiers are buried in the 16 acres. That is the larger number than any other national cemetery. www.nps.gov/vick