Columbus, MS - Touring town

Tennessee Williams, famous playwright, was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1911.  His mother's maiden name was Dakin.  My brother-in-law, Steve's name is Dakin.  Hmmmm?  I got busy on ancestry.com and found that Steve's dad and Tennessee Williams were 4th cousins. Some guy, named Timothy Dakin born in 1723, was their great, great, great, great grandfather.

Tennessee was born in Columbus and lived in this house with his Mother, sister Rose, and maternal grandparents until he was three.  His father traveled as a shoe salesman.  The house was the rectory of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where his grandfather, Reverend Walter Dakin, was the minister.

The parlor

The dining room

A small bedroom believed to be Tennessee's

Rev. Walter Dakin, his maternal grandfather

http://www.columbus-ms.info/

We were, also, lucky enough to tour "Whitehall".  It is currently the private residence of Joe & Carol.  Joe's parents bought the house from the granddaughter of the original owner.

Built 1843

Joe & Carol currently live in Whitehall with their son. Joe's family is the second owners of the home and he knows all the interesting stories about furniture pieces, rooms, odd bathroom fixtures, etc. The basement served as a hospital for confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Very fun informative tour.  We are fortunate to have people like this preserve our history and to share it with us.

http://www.columbus-ms.info/visitors/attractions/daily-home-tours/whitehall.aspx

The house above & below are just blocks from "Whitehall", but not open for tour.

Built 1852. This property is for sale - $1,250,000

See interior photos here http://www.crye-leike.com/main/browsedetail.php?region=Middle+Mississippi&low=1000000&high=2000000&miny=1820&maxy=1860&min_year_built=1820&max_year_built=1860&description_search_type=3&mgrp=4&ln=1&tid=goldentriangle&mlsnum=11-1648&ltb=1&cid[0]=1062