Day 6 started with a slow morning and it was amazing. We had to rearrange some things on this trip which meant a slow morning on this day with a busy afternoon/evening (we had to wait for things to open). We eventually left Jackson and made our way north to Oxford.
Oxford
I think the culture in the south is really fun and interesting but I have never been tempted to live there (granted I have now only experienced Louisiana and Mississippi but still). Oxford tempted me though. This little town is so beautiful. We pulled onto the Ole Miss campus and oh goodness it is a gem. We just happened to pull off to the side and eat our lunch in a park (known as “The Grove”) and it was right across the street from the Ole Miss pharmacy school building. It was the first time I regretted not branching out to the east for school with Mark. That would have been a fun adventure for that time of life.
We drove around Oxford quite a bit and the homes and wooded areas just had my heart. I loved it.
Rowan Oak Estate
The reason we came to Oxford was to visit the Rowan Oak Estate. It was the home of the author, William Faulkner, and his family. Mark and I both have never read anything from William Faulkner (but we would like to try something of his now – so if you have any recommendations we’d love to hear them) – we just came for the beautiful home. It is very close to campus but you would never know it. It is in this heavily wooded forest right in the middle of town and is just full of beauty and character.
<<< I will just insert again how much it is breaking my little heart to not add pictures on here. Oh goodness. Just try and imagine >>>
William Faulkner purchased this home in 1930. It is a Greek revival home sitting on acres filled with hardwood and cedar. It was originally built in the 1840s. William Faulkner renamed it Rowan Oak after the rowan tree which is a symbol of peace and security, and the oak tree which symbolizes strength and solitude.
He later purchased 29 acres surrounding the home creating a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary. It was the family home until 1962, when William Faulkner passed away. His daughter later sold the home to the University of Mississippi.
It was really interesting learning more about this man and his career.
Natchez Trace Parkway
Our next stop was to drive over to Tupelo and visit the Natchez Trace Parkway visitor center. We had already spent some time on the parkway a couple days earlier, when we stopped and saw Emerald Mound.
This was a fairly quick little stop. We watched the movie at the visitor’s center and that helped bring everything to life a little more and was very interesting. This parkway is so long and it was fascinating to learn the history. Many big characters in history have traveled along it, including General Andrew Jackson, Meriwether Lewis (who died on the parkway), John James Audubon, Jefferson Davis, and Ulysses S. Grant.
Most of the people who traveled this were the “Kaintucks” who floated down the Mississippi River to sell crops and livestock and then made the journey back on foot. It is a beautiful drive now with many opportunities to stop, hike, and explore.
Brices Cross Roads
We made the short drive to visit the Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site. I had never heard of this Civil War battle and so we learned a little something. This battle occurred on June 10, 1864 and was a victory for the Confederates. Union leader, Major General William T. Sherman order Brig. General Samuel D. Sturgis to take his infantry from Memphis into northern Mississippi to eliminate Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his troopers. However, the Union infantry had to retreat back to Memphis and lost several artillery pieces and supply wagons in the process.
There isn’t much to see at this site. It is in a rural setting and people were actually having family pictures done there while we were visiting which was interesting. There is a monument though and Ben loved all of the cannons.
Tupelo
I didn’t even know this existed before our stop at Brices Cross Roads, but there was an additional battle site in Tupelo. We couldn’t not go – especially because that is where we were staying that night. We drove over to it and it was basically a copy and paste of the Brices Cross Roads site. Other than the dates and the name, the monument was exactly the same.
The Battle of Tupelo occurred about a month after the Brices Cross Roads battle, on July 14-15 of 1864. This time, Major General William T. Sherman sent Major General Andrew J. Smith to march on Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest. This battle saw many causalities on both sides and Forrest was wounded but neither side could claim complete victory. However, in the months that followed, Smith was able to keep Forrest in Mississippi which kept Sherman’s supply routes safe.
I appreciated this quote from Major General Forrest: “Soldiers! Amid your rejoicing do not forget the gallant dead upon these fields of glory. Many a noble comrade has fallen, a costly sacrifice…The most you can do is cherish their memory.” I think our family cherished the memory of all those that fought in this war on this trip – it was really impactful and I hope it is something the kids remember.
Harvey’s
We were all feeling that hungry feeling and made our way to a restaurant in Tupelo named Harvey’s. This had such a nice atmosphere. I am normally not a hamburger type of gal when we go to restaurants but for some reason I was feeling it that night and it was probably one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. It was so good!
Elvis Presley’s Birthplace
Tupelo is probably most known as the birth place of Elvis Presley. When we make our way to Memphis one day, I definitely think a trip to Graceland will be on the menu. But we just didn’t care to do much here (it is expensive!). There is a site with his childhood home and his church that he attended with a museum on site that you can go see. But we just drove up to the gates and took a picture and that was good enough for us 😉
We ended the night at our hotel and tried to gear ourselves up for the beginning of our long drive back home.
Mississippi Family Vacation 2024 Itinerary:
- Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park
- Ship Island
- Fort Massachusetts
- Natchez National Historical Park
- Emerald Mound
- Vicksburg National Military Park
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
- Rowan Oak Estate
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
- Tupelo National Battlefield Site
- Elvis Presley’s Birthplace
- Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
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