Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2016

1. Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice Marker

Inscription. In 1991, Daniel Kirkwood "Kirk" Fordice, Jr. became the first Republican to be elected governor of Mississippi in 118 years. A graduate of Purdue University, he served two years on active duty in the US Army as an engineer officer with the 1st Infantry Division and retired as a colonel after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He joined Fordice Construction Company in Vicksburg, served as the president of the Associated General Contractors of America in 1990, and was named Engineer News Record's Man of the Year in 1991. Kirk served a second term as governor after winning reelection in 1995. Patricia Owens "Pat" Fordice served her state tirelessly as first lady, promoting literacy, the arts, health issues, strong families; and volunteerism. In 1996, she was recognized as Mississippi's Outstanding Philanthropist for her efforts to establish a cultural, educational, and enriching opportunity by bringing the Palaces of St. Petersburg exhibit and later the Splendors of Versailles exhibit to Jackson. Governor and Mrs. Fordice raised four children and were beloved grandparents. The Greek Revival Mississippi Governor's

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Mansion, the oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the U.S., was designed, by William Nichols, an architect from Bath, England. Joining the Fordices is their dog, Lance.

Sponsored by Members of the Republican Party and
Friends of Kirk and Pat Fordice

Erected 2009 by City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.

Location. 32° 21.143′ N, 90° 52.995′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It can be reached from the intersection of Levee Street and Grove Street, on the left when traveling north. The mural is painted on the levee flood wall, beside the railroad tracks on the west side of Levee Street. The marker is mounted at ground level, directly in front of mural. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Levee St, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in

Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 10, 2016

2. Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice Mural

(Vicksburg's original Little Floodwall & marker partially visible in foreground)

the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jitney Jungle (here, next to this marker); Vicksburg's Original Floodwall (here, next to this marker); LeTourneau (here, next to this marker); Miss Mississippi (a few steps from this marker); Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane (a few steps from this marker); Rosa A. Temple High School (a few steps from this marker); The Vicksburg Campaign and Siege (within shouting distance of this marker); "Two Bridges at Sunset" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Also see . . .
1. Governor and Mrs. Kirk Fordice: Vicksburg's Governor and Mississippi's First Lady. (Submitted
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on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Kirk Fordice (Wikipedia). He was the first Republican governor of the state since Reconstruction-era governor Adelbert Ames, who served from 1874 to 1876, and the first governor elected to two consecutive four-year terms. Fordice was a staunch conservative, running on a pro-business, anti-crime, low-tax, family values platform. (Submitted on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 383 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.