Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall, one of the most magnificent houses of antebellum America, stands on a rise on High Street, bordered by Pearl Street on the west and Commerce Street on the east.

The magnificent Greek Revival-style house is surrounded by huge live oak trees more than a century old and is approached by entrances on each side leading to the front of the house.

Stanton Hall was built by Frederick Stanton, one of three brothers who came to America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1815. He settled in the Natchez area and married Hulda Helm.

Stanton became immensely wealthy as a cotton planter and cotton commission broker.

In 1849, Stanton bought the square on which he was to build his dream house; construction was completed in 1857. Building the mansion to the designs of Natchez architect- builder Thomas Rose, Stanton spared no expense.

Though Stanton did seek some of the furnishings for his mansion from outside Natchez, his confidence in the skills of local artisans was so high that all the work on the edifice was done by Nat- the Civil War, Mrs. Conner became known as the “Little War Mother,” as she sent seven sons and five sons-inlaw to war fighting for the Confederacy. The present owner’s children make the sixth generation of Conner descendants to reside in the home.

One of the earliest homes in Nat- chez, between 1818 and 1849 the house was doubled in size, and additional land was acquired, making Linden a sizeable estate. It was during this period that additions to the house were built, including the one-story extensions on both sides of the original building, the 98-foot front gallery and the front doorway, an architectural triumph of inlay and alternating diamond and oval panes for which Linden is especially noted. chez architects, builders, artists and finishers.

The smaller gallery added to the central portion of the second story has four columns supporting a light and graceful pediment complete with oval window. The front door opens into a hallway with a simple stair to the second story. The downstairs floor plan is simple, with large rooms opening one into another.

Fine antique lovers will not want to miss seeing this home as Linden is furnished with an important and remarkable collection of American furniture of the Federal period. Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and Chippendale furnishings fill the home. Truly a museum quality collection, visitors will enjoy close up and personal and see firsthand how furnishings of the era were meant to be used and displayed.

The main hall is of impressive dimensions, with ceilings almost 17-feet high. An exquisitely carved overhead arch breaks the extreme length of the hall.

Circular arabesques embellish the ceilings, which are also bordered by narrow geometrical friezes. Furnishings in the hall include matching bronze chandeliers, which, like those in other rooms of the house, are attributed to the Cornelius firm of Philadelphia, Pa.

To the right of the hall are a large front parlor and smaller back parlor, sometimes called a music room. Together, these rooms are 72-feet long.

The length of the front parlor is broken by an elaborately carved and unsupported arch similar to the arch in the hall. Mantels in the parlors are of finest white Carrara marble, richly carved with fruits and flowers.

Silver-plated hardware is used on door knobs, hinges, key escutcheons, lock plates and call bells. Mirrors are original to the house, specially made in

France. The parlor includes a matched set of highly carved Victorian furniture and a pair of pier tables with marble columns.

The beautiful carpet in both parlors is a reproduction of an 1850 Natchez design. It was made for Stanton Hall at the Ax Minster Carpet Mills in Greenville.

The small parlor contains an antique piano and an ornately carved window seat or meridienne made by John Belter of New York.

On the other side of the main hall is a library, containing an elaborately carved bookcase, two side chairs, a desk and desk chair belonging to Frederick Stanton and returned to Stanton Hall by his heirs.

Also on this side of the hall is a formal 35-foot dining room, centered with a Natchez-made dining table. Other furnishings include a set of early Empire chairs and a breakfront containing a large set of Old Paris china. Probably the most stunning items in the dining room are the many pieces of antique silver hollowware.

Some of the original Stanton Hall furnishings on display at the house include a highly carved American Gothic hat rack and two matching tall chairs.

Routhland sits high on a rise tucked between bayous just blocks from downtown Natchez in one of the most picturesque settings in the city. Age-old trees, flowering shrubs and rolling lawns form an 18acre park surrounding the house.

Construction began in 1815 in the Federal architectural style, today, Routhland is a blend of the Federal and Greek Revival styles with minor elements of the Rococo and Gothic, achieved in the mid-nineteenth century when the house was extensively enlarged and remodeled, though the basic floor plan of the original 56’ x 46’ house was preserved, at the heart of the present house.

First built by Job Routh as a small summer home. In 1824, Job deeded the home and 10 acres to his son, John.

John Routh was wildly successful and, “at one time the largest Cotton planter in the world,” the homes second owner was Charles Clark, the Civil War era governor of Mississippi.

To give an idea of the high level of taste and style of the Routh family, it is helpful to know that Routh also built the first Dunleith and also Sunnyside. Routhland’s National Register nomination explains its architectural importance. “The fine and unusual elements of the local vernacular Federal style found at Routhland in combination with well-detailed features of the mid-nineteenth century give it architectural significance and document the changing tastes and rising wealth of

John Routh, the original owner. “

In the 1940s, Routhland was saved and preserved for posterity when it was bought by the Ratcliffe family, early settlers in the area. They have restored Routhland and furnished it with mid 19th-century pieces, many original to the house, with family heirlooms from their family home, the c.1850s Sunnyside just outside of Natchez, and with acquisitions from their travels.

The center hall extends the length of the house, with rooms opening onto each side, its ceilings are 12 feet high.

The double parlors have matching marble mantels and the home has been appointed with double matching 19th-century mahogany parlor sets, original to the house. Fine antiques enthusiast will appreciate the museum-quality Meissen, Waterford chandelier, Aubusson carpets, piecrust table and a matching pair of mahogany cabinets displaying Sevres porcelain made for royalty.

The gardens are important, the surrounding “park” retains some original elements of the planting and is landscaped in the English manner described as typical of the area in the antebellum era. Two live oak trees were certified by the Mississippi Forestry Commission to have been in place since between 1775 and 1825.

Routhland’s historic lands and home remain intact in the ownership of a single family, still owned and occupied by the Ratcliffe Family.