Taking the road less travelled is always my preference,
and Kiahra initiated our trip through Alabama and its Black Belt Prairie.
The rich, fertile land was verdant with new growth.
These back country roads of rural America felt familiar to this country girl even though it was new to me, as I easily recognized the signs of struggling farmers and country folks, as poverty is all too often visible in these regions, reminding me of my childhood home far away.
Catfish farms abounded as we neared our destination, Greensboro, Alabama.
Magnolia Grove stands impressively, reminiscent of a bygone era.
A plantation owner had this Greek Revival house in town built in 1840.
Handmade bricks (made onsite) constructed the home~and are even the foundation of the massive pillars.
And finally I learned that the upstairs balcony on Southern homes is to combat the sultry Southern climate by opening the doors at night to let the air flow through.
The mansion stood in the midst of a 15 acre magnolia grove, thus the name.
The gardens would have been equally impressive!
Let's not forget the ever-present fountains!
The grand entrance was designed to exude wealth.
The hand carved spiral staircase was my favorite, as the workmanship was impeccable.
The kitchen and cook's quarters were less grandiose
and removed from the house for fear of fire.
The root cellar stored the large garden's produce throughout the year.
A barn once stood on the property too, providing fresh meat (in absence of refrigeration).
Food preparation was labor intensive.
As I stood in the small room with the massive fireplace and imagined standing over the kettles in the heat of the South, I had a deep appreciation for those who did.
The stark contrast of the slave quarters was a harsh reminder of a very different life.
Evidently, the windows we saw were not standard in their small one-room cabins, as glass was expensive.
Those who resided there in 1850 were only assigned a number under the name of the owner in the census.
Walking through history is a powerful lesson in the past.
