The Cedars (Clinton, Mississippi) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
The Cedars
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Cedars in Clinton, Mississippi
Location in Mississippi
Location	405 East College Street Clinton, Mississippi
Built	c. 1835
Architectural style	Greek revival
NRHP reference No.	77000787
Added to NRHP	January 4, 1977

The Cedars is a special private home in Clinton, Mississippi. It is also sometimes called Cedar Grove. This house was built around 1839. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical building. The Cedars is one of the oldest houses still standing in Hinds County.

The house got its name from over fifty cedar trees that grew on its property. The land was about 5 acres big. The Cedars is a one-story house. It was built in the Greek Revival style. This style was very popular for simple, roomy cottages in Mississippi a long time ago.

The Cedars: A Look at Its Past

This section explores the history of The Cedars. You will learn about its first owners. You will also discover how the house changed hands over the years.

Early Days and First Owners

The land where The Cedars stands was first owned by pioneer settlers. Their names were Minerva Fitz Morgan and Jacob B. Morgan. They were among the first people to settle in the area.

We don't know the exact year the house was built. But records from 1839 show a building was already there. Experts who study old buildings think it was built between 1835 and 1850.

Changing Hands: New Families and Names

The Cedars house was sold many times in its first 20 years. In 1859, a new family moved in. Emile Menger was a music professor at Mississippi College in Clinton. He came from Germany with his family. They bought the house and the land.

The Menger family sold the house in 1903. Patrick Henry Eager bought it. He was an English professor and acting president at Mississippi College. Mr. Eager added a new part to the house that same year. Mrs. Eager changed the house's name from "Cedar Grove" to "The Cedars." She did this to avoid confusion. Her family's home in Aberdeen, Mississippi was also called "Cedar Grove."

The Eager family owned The Cedars for 72 years. During this time, the property became smaller. It was reduced to about 0.75 acres. In 1975, James T. Currie and Patricia Sumners Currie bought The Cedars. They worked to fix up and restore the old house.

Public Tours and Recognition

The Cedars has been part of the "Walking Tour of Historic Clinton." This tour lets people see important old buildings. In 1976, the house was opened to the public. This happened during Clinton's Bicentennial Pilgrimage. It was a special event to celebrate the town's history.

Images for kids

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  Front view of The Cedars

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  Side view of The Cedars

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  Back view of The Cedars

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  Historic plaque at The Cedars