Mississippi is full of incredible sites from the past. Some, like the antebellum homes of Natchez and Vicksburg National Military Park, are widely known. But not every historic site is so popular. Take the Hermitage in Picayune, for example. Almost completely secluded, most residents have no idea the historic home exists. Take a look:
Dating back to the mid 1800s, Hermitage is Pearl River County’s most historic site. The 12-acre estate includes three structures and more than 20 rooms in the main house.
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However, since it’s tucked away behind iron gates nearly camouflaged by greenery, the home’s existence is unbeknownst to many.
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An incredible piece of history, the sprawling property has survived “a Civil War, two world wars, and countless natural disasters.”
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A cemetery is a dead giveaway of the estate’s age. The people buried here “were pioneers in the development of Picayune.”
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The land it sits on was once inhabited by the Choctaw Indians. Stephen Jarrell eventually came to the area and formed the first white settlement on the edge of Picayune.
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Throughout its existence, the home has been owned by notable residents. In the early 1900s, it was purchased by Lamont Rowlands, who named it Hermitage.
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Eliza Jane Poitevent is also among the prominent list of home owners. Better known by her pen name, Pearl Rivers, she was the first woman publisher of a major newspaper (the Times Picayune).
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In 1937, the Crosby family took ownership of Hermitage and had it completely renovated. The family completed a second renovation in 1952, which included the addition of a pool.
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Like many historic homes, Hermitage sat vacant for several years and slowly began to fall into a state of disrepair.
EL Malvaney, misspreservation.com
Luckily, new owners came along in 2009 and began restoring Hermitage. Their hard work paid off, and by 2016, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it one of only two sites in Pearl River County on the list.
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With parquet wood floors, vintage tiles, a marble countertop from Italy, and other stunning details, it’s more of a work of art than a house.
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The home’s exterior, which includes stairs leading through several terraces, a fountain, and pool, is just as impressive as the interior.
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Mississippi truly is full of wonderful surprises! So, did you know about this hidden gem and its incredible history? Tell us in the comments section.
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EL Malvaney, misspreservation.com
This isn’t the only historic site that’s remotely located. Read about another here.
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