Columbus, Mississippi

Columbus celebrates its favorite son, Tennessee Williams, in a colorful manner.  The head of the tourist bureau received a lot of grief about the colors chosen for the restoration of Tennessee Williams' first home, now serving as the Columbus visitors' center.  She claims research revealed that the colors used were original to this house.  It is not hard to find.

 

The house has been beautifully restored with period furniture and a few pieces that were an original part of the home and or Tennessee Williams history.

Houses are a big part of the attraction of Columbus.  During the Civil War, none of the buildings in the town were destroyed, leaving many examples of early southern architecture.  Unfortunately, on the day these images were captured, gray skies and low light robbed them of the brightness of color and the fineness of detail.

Even more modest homes are replete with fine detail.

Columbus claims the beginning of Memorial Day, initiated when a group of women met at the House of 5 Gables, c. 1838, to walk to the cemetery together to lay flowers on Confederate soldiers' graves.  One woman stated that the Union soldiers in the graveyard were also sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers; their loss, too, should be recognized.  Thus, began the day of recognition of those who have given their lives in times of war.

An aside - Why are so many towns and places named after Columbus, a man who never set foot on the continent we now refer to as North America, and who did not even know of its existence?

Columbus was the only marina stop along the TennTom for the Last Dance crew.  There are only two towns on the waterway and the natural setting of an anchorage is preferred.  Columbus was a good choice - a nice marina with a good staff, a historic town, and good restaurants.