Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Wexford Lodge (Shirley House)
Built in the late 1830s, Wexford Lodge is the only surviving wartime structure in the park. Better known as the Shirley House, the building was the home of James and Adeline Shirley. Although they were both northern born, their three children, Frederick, Alice, and Quincy, were all born in Vicksburg. The Shirleys owned twenty-five slaves and made Wexford Lodge the center of a successful farm. Upon the secession of Mississippi, the Shirleys, who remained ardent supporters of the Union, kept to themselves for safety. During the siege of Vicksburg, the family fled first to a cave located in the ravine to your right, and then to an empty slave cabin several miles away. The house—badly damaged by shot and shell—was later converted by the Union army to a smallpox hospital. In 1864 it was abandoned altogether. This house and 60 acres were sold to the Federal Government in 1900 by Alice Shirley Eaton. James and Adeline are interred behind the house.
Erected by Vicksburg National Military Park, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 32° 21.567′ N, 90° 50.441′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Union Avenue, 0.7 miles north of Pemberton Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located in Vicksburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Manning F. Force Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Standing Guard at Jackson Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Art That Honors (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Logan's Approach (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. 11th Battery, (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Battery G, (about 500 feet away); Mortimer D. Leggett (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Mine Explosion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.
Also see . . . Vicksburg National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on August 24, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,015 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on August 23, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.