| Begun around 1836, "Elms Court" is one of the most prominent "suburban villas" in the Natchez region. Its notable galleries, which were added across the entire façade about 1852, are possibly the most lavish use of ornamental iron in Mississippi. In addition to its architectural interest, Elms Court is significant as the residence of Ayers P. Merrill, a locally important merchant, planter and diplomat. Elms Court was listed on the National Register on 2 December 1977 with 163 acres of surrounding land. It is included in "The Majesty of Natchez" (1969/1981/1986) (pp. 67-68), "Historic Architecture in Mississippi" (1973) (p. 41), "Old Homes of Mississippi, Volume I: Natchez and the South" (1977) (p. 36), "Plantation Homes of Louisiana and the Natchez Area" (1982) (pp. 76-77), "The Great Houses of Natchez" (1986) (pp. 36-38), "Architecture of the Old South: Mississippi – Alabama" (1989), "Classic Natchez" (1996) (pp. 116-119), "Natchez: Houses and History … " (2003) (pp. 156-161), "Louisiana Architecture 1820-1840" (2005) (pp. 235-236), and "Buildings of Mississippi" (2020) (p.53, ND59). [HABS: MS-49 (one frontal oblique photo made by Ralph Clynne on 29 March 1934)] |