Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Missing Angels
— Vicksburg Heritage Walking Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 23, 2018
1. Missing Angels Marker
City Hall
In 1903 Vicksburg was the largest city in Mississippi. James Riley Gordon, a famous architect, designed the booming town a new "City Hall" that was built for $50,000. Gordon also designed the Arizona State Capitol, at least 20 county courthouses, and many other large structures across the United States. After a dispute with the contractor, who left town, the city attorney and police chief had to break into the building to claim Vicksburg's new "City Hall". Today, this building is still used for its original purpose as Vicksburg's City Hall. In 1940, during renovations, the front of the building was enclosed to gain needed office space.
Lost???
Vicksburg's beautiful city hall was originally topped with three beautiful, detailed heralding angels. During the tornado of 1953, the angels were blown off and supposedly "lost". Rumors and tales abound locally about these "lost" angels and who might have them or where they are located.
Disaster
A massive tornado hit Vicksburg at 5:35 Saturday evening, December 5, 1953. The tornado, with a path of 500 yards wide and 7 miles long, left 38 dead, over 270 injured and 1,200 homeless. The storm totally destroyed four city blocks and almost every building and home in downtown Vicksburg received damage. The 1953 damage
this page online
Erected 2017 by the City of Vicksburg. (Marker Number 25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi, Vicksburg Heritage Walking Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1953.
Location. 32° 20.946′ N, 90° 52.942′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Washington Street (Business U.S. 51) and Crawford Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Washington Street, Vicksburg MS 39180, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sky Parlor Hill (here, next to this marker); Mercantile Explosion (a few steps from this marker); 1953 Tornado Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Headquarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); C. S. Vaiden (Mississippi) Battery; (about 300 feet away); Willie Dixon (about 500 feet away); The Blue Room (about 500 feet away); Banks and Bottles (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.
Also see . . . Story of the 1953 Tornado by the Weather Channel.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 23, 2018
2. Missing Angels Marker at foot of Crawford Street.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 23, 2018
3. City Hall
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 23, 2018
4. Nearby memorial wall of the tornado disaster.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 23, 2018
5. 1953 Tornado memorial.
Postcard published by the Detroit Publishing Co., circa 1906
6. City Hall, Vivksburg, Miss.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 6. submitted on April 27, 2018.
