The Mississippi town of Lorman does not cater to tourists. If you want to go there, you need to have a good cause. As was usually the case, our goal was to unearth new information that would both entertain and educate us… and we did! In point of fact, we discovered four.
Lots of treasures are found in out-of-the-way places.
I did some research and identified some items in the Lorman, Mississippi area that I think you will love. When looking for activities to do in the Lorman, Mississippi area, not a lot of people turn to the internet. The majority of these travelers are only passing through, yet there are always new faces. If you have a fascination with very unusual occurrences, locations, and items from the past, then here is an excellent spot to begin your exploration. In less obvious locations, one may often find valuable objects or information. To reach these destinations, you will need to deviate off the main route, but ultimately, that is the point of going on a road trip, isn’t it?
We started our trip through the breathtaking Natchez Trace Parkway as we made our way to Natchez, Mississippi, which was our destination. Once we reached Port Gibson, Mississippi, we diverted off the trail and headed south on US Highway 61. This historic route travels through the western half of the state of Mississippi, beginning in Memphis, passing via Clarksdale, Vicksburg, Natchez, and a number of other minor cities on its way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and then on to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Rodney, Mississippi is one of the locations that I want you to see since it is a really ancient town that is nearly completely abandoned. Because Rodney, Mississippi is no longer included on many maps, you will most likely need these instructions in order to locate the city. But back in the boisterous and scandalous times of River Boat mythology, this place was home to a bustling community.
Proceed south on US Highway 61 in the direction of Lorman, Mississippi. Make a U-turn at MS Hwy 552, heading west. Take the second left turn after passing underneath the Natchez Trace Parkway. After that, you will find yourself on Firetower Road. Ignore the first two little roads that turn left, but when you reach the third option, continue to the right. You are now on Rodney Road, which will lead you into the ruins of the once-thriving town of Rodney, which was founded in 1828. It was renowned for its robust cultural scene, many county fairs, and active commercial sector. Rodney was a charming city back in its heyday, when it had riverfront taverns, a high literacy rate, and two banks, in addition to its five hundred residents and thirty-five retail establishments.
The historic district of Rodney may be found about three kilometers to the east of the magnificent Mississippi River. During one of the attacks on the town that took place during the American Civil War, a cannon shot struck the Rodney Presbyterian Church just above one of the top windows on the front of the structure. The church was bombarded by the Federal Gunboat “Rattler” on the Mississippi River at a distance of two miles away on September 13, 1863, as a result of the fact that several Federal sailors were kidnapped while attending Sunday services at the church. The year 1832 was the year when this church was consecrated.
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, the town fell into decline as a result of a shift in the river channel as well as a terrible fire.
The Laurel Hills Plantation may be found in the vicinity of Rodney. There is a Legend Board located on the grounds of the Rodney Presbyterian Church that provides directions to this stunning Antebellum private property. Markers are placed throughout the church grounds to indicate the locations of many other notable sites. If you start at this site and follow the instructions that are provided, you will be able to discover most of the sites of interest in and around Rodney, Mississippi. The guided tour of the Windsor Mansion will include a visit with Rodney.
Even though religious services have not been held in this church for many years, the building is nonetheless kept in good condition and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Behind the church is a historical cemetery that has some antique burials as well as historical monuments that chronicle the narrative of this unique location that was once home to a bustling population. At least one of the older structures that I had seen on my most recent trip to Rodney that was still surviving was destroyed by the floods that occurred in 2011. The water level reached the top step of the staircase leading up to the church. The historical site in Rodney, Mississippi comes very highly recommended.
Follow the same route in reverse that you took to get into Rodney until you get to the Natchez Trace Parkway. Take the Parkway south until you reach Mississippi State Highway 553 and then turn south again. After turning south onto Highway 553, continue for about 3 miles in order to reach Church Hill, Mississippi.
One of the nation’s oldest churches may be found in the town of Church Hill, Mississippi. Christ Church, which is the oldest Episcopal Organization in the state, gave its name to this place. In the year 1820, this historic Episcopal Church, which had its beginnings in the 1790s, evolved into a parish. It was sometimes referred to as the “Maryland Settlement.” This church has an intriguing characteristic—the cemetery surrounds it on all sides, fully closing it in. In front of the structure, on both sides of the path that leads into the building, there are genuine grave markers. Although we were unable to go inside the edifice, I can honestly say that the design of this church is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen.
Because of the distances involved, visiting these four locations will take up most of one day. Convenience shops are nowhere to be found, thus it is imperative that you bring your own supply of beverages, foods, and snacks with you. Because we timed our arrival at the Old Country Store at the right moment during dinner, we were able to avoid purchasing any snacks. However, at the very least, you’ll want to have some bottled water on hand. Make sure that you have a camera with you. Because each of these locations is conducive to taking photographs, you won’t have to feel guilty about bringing a few of these recollections back home to show other people.
The Rosswood Plantation has been converted into a bed and breakfast in recent years. On Mississippi Route 552, it is situated two miles to the east of Highway 61. The road leading up to the antebellum mansion is paved, and it is very hard to overlook due to its impressive height. This authentic Southern Mansion was built in 1857 and can be reached by Rosswood’s long driveway, which is not paved. You will notice the lovely hedge and brick fence with columns as soon as you reach the property since they are used to frame the walkway and the driveway. From the top of the spacious front porch all the way up to the top of the similarly spacious porch on the second level are four stunning columns. Above the main framework of the roof, there are three chimneys. This historic house has all the hallmarks of a plantation residence erected before the time of the American Civil War.
David Shroder, an architect, was responsible for the construction of the home. The gold-leaf signature marker that is hung over the entrance door the inside of this house is an interesting feature that can be found here. The home has been given a complete makeover and is decorated with beautiful antiques. The current owners of this mansion have collected furniture and other furnishings from all over the globe, and the current owners believe that the furniture and furnishings alone are worth the $10 entry ticket for a tour.
The grand home that is now known as Rosswood Plantation was originally constructed as part of a cotton plantation. Life on the plantation is shown via various records and diaries. The original owner of this property let his slaves free before and during the time when the states were at war with one other. None of the slaves were interested in taking advantage of the offer for him to pay for their return trip to Africa with money from his land.
During the American Civil War, this house was not directly targeted by enemy fire; but, on one occasion, a cannon shot demolished the kitchen, and the residence was then seized to serve as a hospital where troops from both sides were treated. The cannonball that caused the kitchen to be destroyed has since been replaced with a swimming pool in that location. In the months of March through December, Rosswood Plantation serves as a very desirable Bed & Breakfast in addition to being available daily for excursions.
The Old Country Store may be found at 18801 Highway 61 South, only a short distance south of Lorman. Up until some point in the 1900s, this shop was traditionally run as a general store throughout that period. The Painted Grocery and Dry Goods signs that were originally displayed on the front of the business once advertised the items that were available for purchase on the premises. A number of years ago, Arthur Davis traveled all the way from Florida to go deer hunting in the nearby wilderness region. While he was there, he fell in love with the environment and hasn’t been back to Florida since. He purchased this historic building and transformed it into an Old Country Buffet after turning it into an Old Country Store. Aside from the fact that you are informed that “everything in the building is for sale, including the building,” there is no compulsion to purchase anything within the shop, despite the fact that the store is loaded with antiques and early American things that are for sale.
The restaurant/store in question offers a cozy and relaxing vibe. Mr. Davis entertains the patrons with a song as they eat… “my mother reigned supreme when it came to making cornbread.” I have no doubt that he dreamed up those lyrics. The buffet offers a wide range of authentic dishes from the deep south, and the offerings are rotated whenever the restaurant deems it necessary. Fried chicken is the most popular selection at the buffet. It is a delectable treat. “Chef boy Art D,” is how Arthur refers to himself. Mr. D is quoted as saying, “If Colonel Sanders had my chicken recipe, he would have been a five-star general.” When it’s time for dessert, you shouldn’t skip out on getting some fruit cobbler. Everything in this place is deemed “fit to eat.”