| If you happen to have a photo of any of these homes, please let me know. It has been mentioned that there are some errors, but this is how the article appeared in the newspaper. Comments and correspondence may be sent to Rose Diamond. Please cut/paste the name of this page for reference when you e-mail me. |
Historical Homes Of The County
At this season of the year when garden pilgrimages and visits to historic places and ante-bellum homes of the Old South are being conducted, memories of an era that is past and gone, are being revived.
Mississippi is rich in beauty, history and romance, and the old homes now standing, which were built in the early days with their treasures, from the links that bind us to the glamorous and historic past. Hidden away in parks, or groves of stately trees by the roadside, many old colonial homes of Calhoun County are found. Within many of them are veritable museums of priceless treasures. Here early settlers lived in regal splendor; surrounded by acres of fertile lands with many slaves to do their bidding. A cordial welcome was extended all who sought the hospitality of these homes; here the elite gathered to spend many happy ours [hours] in feasting, music and dancing - romance and history were in the making.
The WPA historical research project has, through dilligent [diligent] research, gathered material on these old homes in an effort to preserve history in word and picture.
Sketches of a few of the old homes in Calhoun County will be of special interest at this time and will carry the reader back to ante-bellum days to live again, in memory, in the old homes, whose builders are gone, lo, these many years, and whose walls are fast falling into decay. Many of these old homes have been rebuilt and modernized but the fragrance of the pioneer life of these days still lingers and the homes, the gardens, the roads, the pathways and the cemeteries are all proclamations of history, full of interest to citizens of this county and in (Continued on back page)
other sections of the country.
The old Kilgore House, which Madison Hampton built in 1843, stands on the crest of a hill with a sweeping view toward Highway 8, one-half miles west of Big Creek. To a large extent the house retains its original appearance; is a two-story building with a chimney at each end; the chimneys, as well as the building, have been well-preserved. Hampton was a Methodist preacher, during the years of the war between the states and donated land upon which a church was erected and the building is still in use. Mrs. Tom Kilgore, who now owns this home, has in her possession an old spool-bed which she has had for many years. The interior of this home is beautiful and its furnishings are in keeping with other artistic appointments. *
The old home of Captain Thomas Lafayette Beadles, located one mile north of Highway 8, between Big Creek and Calhoun City, was built in slavery times; slaves did a great part of the work and made the brick used in the building. The construction was of the usual type of that day; a wide hall running through the building with rooms on either side. Captain Beadles was engaged in the mercantile business at what is now known as Big Creek and was quite successful. At the beginning of the war between the states he closed out his business and enlisted in Company F, Twenty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, commanded by Colonel E. C. Walthall. He participated in all the battles in which his command took part and had command of his company on several important occasions.
The Enochs home, two miles south of Derma and one-fourth mile from the highway, is located on what is known as Benela Hill. Benela, in the early days of the county, was a thriving little village of about five stores and one saloon, and this place was located in the heart of the village. The home was built in 1867 by Captain T. T. Enochs who lived there until his death. The house is a two-story building with a front porch on the upper and lower floors and four large upright columns above and below. A large hall runs between the lower rooms and dining room, and the kitchen is along the side of the back porch. Chimneys are at each end of the house with a lightening rod and date of building on one. The owner was at one time a man of considerable wealth.
The J. A. Spencer home, located at Slate Springs, was built and owned by Smith Burns in the early part of the nineteenth century. A portion of the material used in the building was taken from an old school building used before the war and which stood on the lot; rocks used for the foundation of the chimney of the school building can still be seen embedded in the earth. Mrs. J. A. Spencer, who now owns the home, remembers the Federals having searched the house for valuables during the war between the states. One of her prized relics is a bookcase of solid walnut, made about one hundred years ago by her father, Odom Pryor. She also has an old spinning wheel which belonged to her mother, Mrs. Mary Jane McKee.
Among other old homes in the county are the Bob Moore, the Spencer, the Sam Spencer, the Revis, the Doctor Lawrence, the Austin Woodward, William and Walter Boland, Charlie Loors, and the Major H. H. Horton home.
The Kilgore House at Big Creek.
Photographed by Mike Gammill of West Point, MS
Donated to the Calhoun Co. Historical Society, Inc. and printed in "Calhoun Co. MS A Pictorial History" 1997.
The use of this photo for financial gain is prohibited unless permission granted by the photographer.
|
|
Notes about locations of homes mentioned:
Charlie Loors - Lewers -[Pittsboro]
H. H. Horton [Pittsboro]
Revis [C.C. ? ] Mr. Tildon Pryor's house corner
Austin Woodward [Benela]
Dr. Lawrence [Benela]