Aberdeen, the county seat of Monroe County, was founded in 1835 along the Tombigbee River. The city was once a busy cotton port that shipped its products by boat to Mobile. The resulting wealth from cotton built great homes and lavish mansions. A number of these elegant homes built in a variety of architectural styles still dot the city's tree-lined streets; many of them are opened to the public during the Aberdeen's annual Spring Pilgrimage. In addition to colorful history and magnificent architecture, Aberdeen offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. The city's close proximity to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and Aberdeen Lake provides enjoyment for boaters, water skiers, fishermen and campers. Annual festivals such as the Blue Bluff River Festival and Aberdeen Pilgrimage attract visitors from all over to experience the rich history and Southern hospitality of this town. Best Western Aberdeen Mississippi.
Things to do in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Golf & Country Club
Aberdeen Golf & Country Club is a semi-private 9-hole course located on Country Club Lane. Find Best Western Aberdeen lodging nearby. Call 662-369-6251 for more information.
Adams-French Home
Built in 1856 by Colonel John Cox for his daughter, the Adams-French House is one of the most significant Greek Revival mansions in northeast Mississippi. Find Best Western Aberdeen lodging nearby. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Bella Vida Home
Built in 1879, Bella Vida is an exceptional example of Second Empire architecture. The stunning restored mansion features slated mansard roofs, nineteen columns, multiple jibbed windows, a 3-story, 55-foot tower and opulent Bohemian glass, and is furnished with elegant period antiques and objects d'art. Located at 503 S. Franklin. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Blue Bluff Campground and Recreation Area
On the Aberdeen Lake section of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, majestic clay limestone cliffs rise above the water to provide a beautiful backdrop for outdoor recreation. Blue Bluff is perhaps one of the most scenic recreation areas on the Tenn-Tom. Facilities include picnic areas, hiking trails, a playground, a white sandy beach, fishing pier, boat ramps, and observation areas for watching lock operation. The class A, year-round campground features 92 sites with paved concrete pads, picnic tables, grills, lantern posts, electrical and water hookups, laundry, and showers. Call 662-369-2832 for more information.
Dogwood Haven
Built in 1860, Dogwood Haven is a Greek Revival landmark. The home retains much of its fine interior woodwork, has 16-foot ceilings and fireplaces in every room. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Evans Memorial Library
Nationally known for genealogical material and other historical research resources, Evans Memorial Library and museum also offers a variety of rotating exhibits, special collections, children's programs and more. Located at 105 N. Long Street. Call 662-369-4601 for more information.
Harrison-Phelan Home
The Harrison-Phelan home was built in 1848 by Dr. Richard Harrison to accomodate his growing young family. The formal rooms on the east side of the home have classic Greek Revival woodwork, derived from the plan books of New England architect and builder, Asher Benjamin, whose work was so influential at the time. The home's six original fireplaces represent a variety of Benjamin-inspired designs. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Holliday Haven
Holliday Haven is a restored Greek Revival mansion dating back to 1850. The home remained in the John Holiday family until 1993. Many of the original furnishings and memorabilia are still present. Located at 609 S. Meridian Street. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Lake Monroe
Located between Aberdeen and Amory on Coontail Road off US 45, the 111-acre Lake Monroe offers a beautiful setting for outdoor recreation. Facilities include a boat ramp, picnic tables, camping with electrical/water hookups, boat rental, a pavilion, and restrooms. Call 662-256-9637 for more information.
Old Aberdeen Cemetery
Dating back to 1835, the Old Aberdeen Cemetary is the resting place for many Civil War veterans, including Jeffery Forrest, brother of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Take a self-guided tour of many noteworthy and unique tombstones. Located at S. Poplar at Whitfield Street.
Old Homestead
The Old Homestead, built essentially in the Greek Revival style, also borrowed elements from Gothic and Italianate designs. The home is lovingly preserved. Seven generations of descendents of the builder, Dr. George Augustus Sykes, have lived in the home. Original fine period furniture and art, as well as the fascinating legends of the Sykes family, make this landmark not to be missed. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Prewett Place
Built in 1840, Prewett Place is an early Aberdeen home built in the Greek Revival style with neoclassical renovations. The home was built by Abner Prewett, a prominent Monroe County landowner and businessman. The interior of the home features Federal-style mantels and other beautiful woodwork, including original heart pine flooring in the upstairs rooms. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Sanders Place
One of Aberdeen's best known landmarks, Sanders Place was built in 1898 and is a fine example of Queen Anne style architecture. The home is sheathed in clapboards and the decorative shingles so popular at the time of its construction. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Search for the Gold Architectural Driving Tour
Visitors can view examples of almost every period and style of Southern architecture right from their car in the Search for the Gold Architectural Driving Tour. Detailed information about the tour is available at the Aberdeen Visitors Bureau at 124 W. Commerce Street. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.
Tenn-Tom Waterway
The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is a 234-mile link that connects the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers to provide an alternate route to the Gulf of Mexico. Navigating the Tenn-Tom as opposed to taking the Mississippi River saves companies over 800 miles to the Coast and about $130,000,000 annually. After 12 years of construction and a cost of nearly $2 billion, the waterway was completed on December 12, 1984. Known as the "Tenn-Tom", the waterway offers unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure. The high water quality plus a variety of game fish make it one of the premier sports fishing spots in the nation. Camping, boating, swimming and hunting are also popular activities. Call 662-328-3286 for more information.
The Magnolias
A fine example of antebellum architecture, the Magnolias was built in 1850 and features a graceful mahogany staircase and elegant furnishings. The mansion survived the Civil War in pristine condition. The beautiful grounds are highlighted by stately magnolia trees. Located at 732 West Commerce Street. Call 662-369-7956 for more information.
Whitfield-Holmes Home
The impressive five-bay classical facade of the Whitfield-Holmes home is centered with an entry door flanked by floor-length windows. Elegant formal areas feature twelve-foot ceilings, distinctive woodwork and a notable collection of fine period furniture and decorative objects. Call 662-369-9440 for more information.