McRaven House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bobb House
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McRaven House with Halloween decorations
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1503 Harrison St., Vicksburg, Mississippi |
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| Built | 1836 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Empire, Frontier |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001337 |
| Added to NRHP | January 8, 1979 |
McRaven is a historic house in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It was built around 1797 by Andrew Glass. During the American Civil War, it was known as the Bobb House. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places under that name. The house got its current name from the street it is on, which used to be called McRaven Street. McRaven has been on Mississippi's list of historic places since 1978. Many people believe it is haunted, calling it "the most haunted house in Mississippi!"
Contents
The Story of McRaven House
Early Days: The Pioneer Section
The first part of McRaven was built by Andrew Glass around 1797. It was a simple stop for pioneers traveling to Nashville, Tennessee along the Natchez Trace. This original part of the house, with just a kitchen and a room above it, is now called the "Pioneer Section."
Changes by Sheriff Howard
In 1836, Sheriff Stephen Howard bought the house. He added a middle dining room and a bedroom above it. These new parts were built in the Empire architectural style. Sadly, Sheriff Howard's wife, Mary Elizabeth Howard, passed away in the middle bedroom in August 1836.
The Bobb Family and the Civil War
John H. Bobb bought the house in 1849. He added the rest of the house in the Greek Revival style. During the Civil War in 1863, Vicksburg was under attack. McRaven was used as a hospital and camp for Confederate soldiers. Because it was near the railroad, a key battle spot, the house was hit by cannon fire. Even so, it still stands today!
After Vicksburg was taken by Union forces, John Bobb had a terrible encounter. On May 18, 1864, he saw some Union soldiers taking flowers from his garden. He told them to leave, but they refused. John threw a brick at them, hitting a soldier. The soldiers left, threatening to burn his house. John reported this to the Union commander, but when he returned home, 25 Union soldiers took him away. They killed him near the house. This was the first act of violence by Union troops after the Siege of Vicksburg.
John's wife, Selina Bobb, sold the house in 1869. She moved to a family farm near New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Murray Family Era
William Murray bought McRaven in 1882. He and his wife, Ellen Flynn, raised seven children there. William died in the house in 1911, and Ellen died there in 1921. Two of their children also passed away in McRaven.
Afterward, William's unmarried daughters, Annie and Ella Murray, lived in the house alone. They lived without modern comforts, except for a telephone. In 1960, Ella passed away. Her sister Annie then sold the house and moved to a nursing home. At this time, McRaven was in very bad shape. Neighbors didn't even know it was there because it was so overgrown. The sisters had even used antique furniture for firewood.
Restoring McRaven's Beauty
In 1960, the Bradway family bought McRaven. They did some repairs and opened it for tours in 1961. In 1979, Charles and Sandra Harvey bought the house. They spent a year and a lot of money restoring it. They fixed the wood, wiring, plumbing, and plaster. They even found a company to make new carpets just like the original ones from John Bobb's time. The Harveys also researched the house's history to make sure the paint, wallpaper, and furniture were just right.
The front and back porches were rebuilt. Mr. Harvey also found and repaired damaged roof beams from the Civil War cannon fire. The house was ready for tours again in 1980. The Harveys never lived in the house, but they often stayed there to protect it.
In 1984, Leyland French bought McRaven. He continued the restoration work. French was the first owner since the Murrays to actually live in the house. McRaven has stayed mostly the same since the 1800s, except for a modern kitchen and bathroom in the basement. Because of this, National Geographic Magazine called it the "Time Capsule of the South" in 1963.
In 2007, Leyland French put McRaven up for sale. In 2015, Steven and Kendra Reed bought the house. They reopened it for both historical tours and ghost tours.
Ghosts of McRaven
Many people believe McRaven is haunted. At least five people have passed away inside the house. John Bobb, a former owner, was killed just outside. It's also likely that some Confederate soldiers died on the property when it was a hospital.
People report strange things happening all over the house. The most active spot seems to be the middle bedroom upstairs. This is where Mary Elizabeth Howard, a young woman, passed away. Her ghost is believed to turn the bedside lamp on and off by itself. Before Leyland French lived there, previous owners often got calls late at night saying the lights at McRaven were on. Mary Elizabeth's ghost has also been seen on the staircase and in the dining room. Some people say her wedding shawl feels warm or even jumps out of their hands!
Leyland French, a former owner, once saw the ghost of William Murray on the staircase. He was so scared that he ran and locked himself in a bedroom! He later had a priest bless the house. The spirits of Ella and Annie Murray are also said to roam the grounds of McRaven.
Famous Visitors
Many people have visited McRaven since it opened for tours in 1961. Some famous guests include Max Baer, Jr. and Irene Ryan. They were actors from the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies. They toured the house in the mid-1960s. You can even see an autographed photo of them in the house's entrance hall.
McRaven on TV
Television Shows
The McRaven House was featured on an episode of Ghost Adventures. This episode was called "Ghosts of Vicksburg: McRaven Mansion" and aired in 2018 on the Travel Channel. The team of ghost hunters explored the house and its grounds. They investigated reports of an angry ghost named Andrew Glass, who was a highwayman killed by his jealous wife long ago.
