2000
Belhaven and Belhaven Heights
Jackson
Belhaven and Belhaven Heights are fine examples of “streetcar subdivisions” that popped up all over the country during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Widely popular when they were built, these subdivisions still offer quality housing close to city centers. To combat the challenges faced in revitalization efforts the neighborhoods formed the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation (GBNF) in late 1999 to work on long-term preservation through community redevelopment, security, and neighborhood communication.
Chalmers Institute/University of Holly Springs
Holly Springs
The Chalmers Institute in Holly Springs is the oldest university building in the state. It was originally built in 1837 with publicly raised funds, becoming part of the University of Holly Springs in 1838. The intent was for the school to become the state university of Mississippi. However, when the University of Mississippi was built in Oxford, this building operated as the Chalmers Institute and then the Holly Springs Normal Institute for many years. In 2003, a group of concerned citizens purchased the Chalmers Institute to save it from demolition and had it designated as a Mississippi Landmark later that year. Since then the owners have received funds from the State of Mississippi to aid in the restoration of the building.
City of Oxford
Oxford
The City of Oxford is steeped in Mississippi tradition and heritage. With a charming downtown square, tree-lined streets, 23 Mississippi Landmarks, and a dedicated population of preservation advocates. But, despite good intentions, Oxford is on the cusp of losing its special character with the pressure for new development for tourism, increasing student enrollment, and retirees. This new wave of development could undermine the unique charm visitors and residents alike hope to experience when in Oxford. In an effort to ensure historic preservation remains a top priority, the City of Oxford created the Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission and the Oxford Historic Preservation Commission in 2007.
Irving Hotel
Greenwood
The Irving Hotel in Greenwood was built in 1917 as a commercial adaptation of the Colonial Revival style. The hotel soon became a mecca for businessmen and travelers and was the finest hotel in Mississippi at this time. After it closed the building sat vacant for several decades. The Viking Range Corporation acquired the property and restored it to a hotel once again. The hotel reopened in 2003 as “The Alluvian'' and has been named among the “Top 100 Best Hotels in the U.S.” by Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice, “Top 56 Hotels” by National Geographic Traveler, and “Best Luxury Design” by Lodging & Hospitality Design.
L.Q.C. Lamar House
Oxford
Built in 1857 the L. Q. C. Lamar House was the Oxford home of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, one of the leading Mississippi statesmen of the nineteenth century. After Reconstruction, he served in the U.S. Senate and was Secretary of the Interior under President Grover Cleveland. Lamar then went on to become a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The house had fallen into despair when the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation purchased the house and raised more than $1.5 million in funding for its restoration. Now property of the City of Oxford, the renovated house opened in 2008 for tours and special events. Exhibits and original furnishings fill the interior of the house and tell the story of this important Oxonian.
Mississippi River Basin Model
Jackson
Started in 1943 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Mississippi River Basin Model was designed to study floods, droughts and other weather events. The concrete work was completed by local Jackson contractors using German prisoners of war as laborers. A day on the river could be simulated in just over 5 minutes. The model was ready for use in the early 1950s and was later decommissioned in 1993 when it was replaced by computer software. A city park was built around the model, which is now unused and mostly hidden from view by dense undergrowth. Through the hard work of a group of dedicated volunteers called The Friends of the Mississippi River Basin Model, and help from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Mississippi Humanities Council as well as many other private sponsors, the Mississippi River Basin Model is being restored.
Queen City Hotel
Columbus
Located on 7th Avenue in Columbus, the Queen City Hotel was formerly the social and cultural hub of the African American community in Columbus. Originally converted into a hotel in 1914 by legendary blues guitarist Robert Walker, it was sold in 1931 to Ed Bush who operated the business for many years. Unfortunately, the Queen City Hotel was demolished in 2008.
Round Island Lighthouse
Pascagoula
Built in 1849 to replace an earlier lighthouse, the Round Island Lighthouse off the Pascagoula coast remained in operation until 1944. During the late 19th century, it served as a quarantine station for yellow fever patients during the epidemic. The Round Island Lighthouse was severely damaged by Hurricane George in 1998. During the storm, the structure toppled from the undercutting flow of waves. Although the city obtained federal emergency funds to stabilize the foundation and prevent further wave incursions, the structure remains in a perilous condition. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the battered lighthouse was still there. Plans were made to barge the lighthouse safely ashore about three miles inland near the Highway 90 bridge where it was restored.
Taborian Hospital
Mound Bayou
Designed by the McKissick Construction Company of Nashville, Tennessee the Taborian Hospital in Mound Bayou was dedicated in 1942. At a time when medical facilities for African Americans were almost nonexistent, the Knights and Daughters of Tabor built a 42-bed facility. Staffed by medical personnel from Meharry Medical School in Nashville, the hospital operated until the mid-1960s. At this time, Medicare finally forced the integration of formerly segregated hospitals and the small scale of Taborian could no longer economically compete with the larger Delta hospitals. The building is currently vacant and in stable condition.
Westbrook House
Jackson
Located in Jackson’s beautiful Mynelle Gardens, the Westbrook House was built in 1921 by William Wall Westbrook. Built in the Mediterranean Revival style the house was originally the private residence of the Westbrook family, and a thriving flower business. In 1973, the house and gardens were sold to the City of Jackson. The structure was used for wedding receptions and parties for some years until falling into a state of disrepair. Both the exterior and interior of the home have since been restored, providing a popular reception site for weddings and events once again. The Westbrook House and Mynelle Gardens are open to the public.