Speaking with relatives about family history, I am often told to keep this piece of information between you, me and the gate post. Respecting sensibilities, I will share my family stories entwine with historical events from Copiah, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties, Mississippi, from gate post to gate post.
Family Tree
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Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Tombstone Tuesday and the Shotgun
The double shotgun house has been demolished. It sat on the edge of a well known cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi, Greenwood Cemetery.
The houses are being destroyed for new housing development and for an entertainment district in the city. I am curious about the families who once lived there.
I think what is intriguing to me is the color and light--how the shotgun seems to be an extension of the tombstones in the same weathered shade of gray. Even the sky is gray.
I grew up in shotgun house. It was torn down in the 1970s by Urban Renewal. It had a tin roof, wooden plank walls and the wind whistled through the knot holes in the winter time but was it was filled to the brim with love. Thanks for the memories!
I first came in contact with a shotgun house on my first trip to Mississippi in 1971. When we lived in Simpson County, MS there were still some out there although a lot were being replaced with trailers or FHA houses.I know that my great grandparents lived in one in Alabama.
The photos and your text are intriguing. It makes me want to know more about the story of the house.
ReplyDeleteThe houses are being destroyed for new housing development and for an entertainment district in the city. I am curious about the families who once lived there.
DeleteI think what is intriguing to me is the color and light--how the shotgun seems to be an extension of the tombstones in the same weathered shade of gray. Even the sky is gray.
ReplyDeleteIt was a cold overcast January day. I don't think I noticed the shotgun the first visit to the cemetery.
DeleteI've never seen a double shotgun house. How interesting! I also wonder about the people who lived there and their lives.
ReplyDeleteOne family lived on each side with shared yard.
DeleteI grew up in shotgun house. It was torn down in the 1970s by Urban Renewal. It had a tin roof, wooden plank walls and the wind whistled through the knot holes in the winter time but was it was filled to the brim with love. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteI grew up in shotguns until I was about 14 years old. The last one was a double with connecting front porches.
ReplyDeleteI first came in contact with a shotgun house on my first trip to Mississippi in 1971. When we lived in Simpson County, MS there were still some out there although a lot were being replaced with trailers or FHA houses.I know that my great grandparents lived in one in Alabama.
ReplyDeleteThe same situation is happening in Jackson, the shotgun is being replaced but there are still a few left. Finding them is getting more difficult.
DeleteWe always referred to these structures as duplexes. They were early versions of modern townhouses,smile.
ReplyDeleteWe always referred to these structures as duplexes. They were early versions of modern townhouses,smile.
ReplyDeleteHi Saundra, We used both terms, mostly shotgun.
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