The Cedars (Columbus, Mississippi) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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The Cedars
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1311 Military Road Columbus, Mississippi |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1830 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001328 |
| Added to NRHP | March 29, 1979 |
The Cedars is a very old house located in Columbus, Mississippi. It was built in the early 1800s and has a long and interesting history. This historic home is known for its unique beginnings as a log cabin. Today, it is recognized as an important part of American history.
Contents
Discovering The Cedars' Past
The Cedars started as a simple log cabin. No one knows the exact year it was built. But historians believe it was around 1830. Some even think it might be as old as 1818! This makes it one of the oldest buildings in Columbus.
Early Owners and Changes
The first person known to own the cabin was Vardry McBee. In 1835, he sold the land and the cabin. The new owner was Edward Brett Randolph. Captain Randolph came from Virginia. He had settled in Mississippi in 1825. He owned a large farm called Goshen near Caledonia, Mississippi.
Before buying The Cedars, Captain Randolph made a big decision. He helped the people who worked for him gain their freedom. He even helped some of them move to Liberia, a country in Africa.
How The House Grew
The original log cabin was a single room. It was about 21 feet square. It was made from strong pine logs. When Captain Randolph and his wife, Elizabeth Bland Beverley, bought the house, they made some changes.
In 1835 and 1836, they made the roof taller. They also added a new room to the south side. A kitchen was built onto the house as well. By 1979, The Cedars had a main front section with a tall, pointed roof. It also had a smaller back section with several roofs. You could even still see part of the original log cabin wall near a stairway!
The house stands on a strong foundation. It has a brick basement and brick supports. The Cedars is still on its original four-acre plot of land. This land is surrounded by beautiful cedar trees.
A Historic Landmark
The Cedars is thought to be the oldest house still standing in Columbus. It is also one of the oldest buildings in the area. For many years, the house stayed in Captain Randolph's family. In 1979, The Cedars was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place that is important to the history of the United States.
