Vicksburg, Mississippi - Fake Ironclad on a Hill

A rather strange sight when you first arrive at Vicksburg from the westbound I-20 freeway is this large ironclad sort-of replica up on a hill and looking like some sort of early steam era ark. Close (or even far) inspection reveals that the thing is made out of railroad ties and aluminum siding with off-the-shelf pipes masquerading as cannons and smoke stacks. This is used as a visitor center/gift shop, although not run by the state, whose visitor center is just up the road overlooking the Mississippi. Not far away you can check out a real ironclad, the USS Cairo at the National Military Park, which was brought up and partially restored in the 1960's. You can can walk onboard, check out the ancient machinery, and even see the giant hole blown in the ships hull that caused her to sink. [Richard Weiss, 05/02/2005]