2 minute read

History: Visit historic homes, battlefields, museums

from Corinth Newcomers and Visitors Guide 2022

by Daily Corinthian

from Corinth Newcomers and Visitors Guide 2022, page 80

Article from: Corinth Newcomers and Visitors Guide 2022

Day Trips: Plan an adventure a...

CORINTH’S

Visit historic homes, battlefields, museums

Corinth has so much to offer newcomers, visitors and longtime residents, but one of the most enduring offerings, time after time, is the area’s rich history – and what a history it is.

Founded as Cross City by Houston Mitchell and Hamilton Mask in 1854, the town’s name was soon changed to Corinth. The area was once billed as the Crossroads of the South because of the importance the city’s railroads played during the Civil War. Those two rail lines, which crossed over each other at city center, made Corinth one of the most strategic transportation hubs fought over by both the Union and Confederate armies.

Today the Crossroads Museum and Historic Corinth Depot sit only a few feet from the original railroad tracks that remain busy with frequent traffic from freight trains.

While the depot’s museum details the birth of Corinth, the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center tells the story of the Battle of Corinth and how the town played a vital role in U.S. history.

Corinth offers two historic homes with stories to tell.

The Verandah-Curlee House and the Duncan House are both highlights of Corinth’s remarkable architectural offerings.

Originally built in 1857 for Mask, the Verandah-Curlee House served as headquarters for several generals during the Civil War. Confederate generals planned the attack on Union troops while housed at the Verandah-Curlee House in April 1862. The decision would lead to the Battle of Shiloh.

The Duncan House was recently restored to its 1858 glory. The area adjacent to the house features a Civil War era railroad junction buried in concrete. Seven markers tell the importance the historic Crossroads played during the Civil War. The park is open to the public, as is the city-owned Verandah-Curlee House. The Duncan House is a private residence.

Another site not to be missed is the Corinth Contraband Camp.

The park is full of large trees while a quarter-mile paved walkway is lined with six life-size bronze sculptures. The sculptures depict the men, women and children who inhabited the camp between November 1862 and December 1863 as they lived, worked and learned. Historical markers along the way offer facts and quotes to help reflect on this integral piece of Corinth history.

See HISTORY, page 14

National Park Service Ranger Tom Parson begins a tour inside the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

Using the Corinth Contraband mobile app, videos will create an augmented reality experience. Parking and benches are available, and dogs are welcome.

The Corinth Coca-Cola Museum has drawn on the fascinating over 100-year history of Corinth CocaCola Bottling Works. The museum features over 1,000 pieces of authentic Coca-Cola memorabilia, plus a large collection of old fashioned drink machines from years gone by.