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Circa 1849

 

Winners of Fodor's "One of the South's Best Bed & Breakfasts" praise, Magnolia Manor was built by Judge Austin Miller in 1849. He was a prominent attorney and is credited with helping place the southern boundary of Tennessee so that Memphis was in Tennessee, not Mississippi. In fact, Austin Miller is mentioned by name in the Constitution of the State of Mississippi in article two as having established the northern boundary of that state. He also donated 20 acres of land in Tunica County, Mississippi in 1848 for the county seat. The town was named Austin in honor of Judge Miller.  Magnolia Manor is a classic two story Georgian Colonial designs. Each brick was hand made and sun dried on the home site by slaves. It features fourteen foot ceilings and thirteen inch thick walls from the ground to the roof. There are four bedrooms in the main house and nine fireplaces. Two of the bedrooms are master suites, two full baths and two half baths. The house also features double parlors. It was used as a Headquarters for the Union Army by Generals Logan, McPherson, Sherman and Grant during the Civil war and it is believed to be the home in which these four Generals planed the battle of Shiloh.  Three generations of the Miller family lived in the house until the 1970's. Charles Austin Miller, son of Judge Austin Miller, followed his father's footsteps to become a prominent attorney and later the Secretary of State of Tennessee. One of C.A. Miller's daughters Lizzie Lea Miller was also elected State Representative and the first women in the history of Tennessee to achieve this. The house has since been owned by only two other families. It has operated as a bed and breakfast since 1985 by Owner and Inn Keeper Elaine Cox. Governors, Celebrities and even a Vice President have inquired about or stayed at Magnolia Manor.

During the Civil War in 1862, Magnolia Manor was occupied by the Union Army and used as Headquarters. Four Union generals stayed here. Mrs. Miller told the Generals they could "only use half of the house" as she was "a delicate woman." It has been told by the Miller Family that during one meal, Mrs. Miller was seated with Generals Sherman and Grant. General Sherman made the comment that he believed "all southern men, woman and children should be exterminated!" General Grant did not hear this comment, but Mrs. Miller did! She was so upset by this remark that she left the table and went to the back porch to cry. General Grant followed her to see what was wrong. Mrs. Miller told General Grant what Sherman said to her. Grant ordered Sherman to apologize to their hostess at once! Sherman did apologize, but was so humiliated by the order he stormed up to his room! As he approached this stair case, he drew his sword from its scabbard and slashed the banister with it. The mark is still visible to this day! Photographed and featured by National Geographic Magazine, Magnolia Manor is rich in history! History was made in this beautiful home and we are more than happy to share it with you! It's a museum that you can spend the night in! Furnished in period antiques and exquisitely decorated. When was the last time you slept in a bed valued at $35,000.00? We think you'll agree that Magnolia Manor is one of the most historical, beautiful and charming homes you'll ever sleep in. It's also very affordable! Magnolia Manor is just 50 minutes from Memphis, 35 minutes from Jackson and 45 minutes from Shiloh National Battle Field. Magnolia Manor is an award winning Bed & Breakfast that you will truly enjoy and never forget.

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