Rare view of the "Castle" at Vicksburg with military tents on the grounds.  Armstead & Taylor Corinth bm.  Vicksburg is no stranger to architectural diversity. Styles ranging from Greek Revival to Mediterranean and just about everything in between has been represented in our city. For a brief moment in the 1840s and 1850s, one home stood out among all others though; the Castle built by Thomas Robbins. Styled to look as if it was meant to fend off trebuchets, this turreted towered stone structure overlooked Vicksburg from the southern boundary of the city.  Standing high on the site known as Castle Hill, the property of 16 acres extended towards the river to Washington Street. Robbins’ extensive beautification of the property consisted of a border of Osage Orange trees and a landscaped curtilage of rare flowers and shrubs complete with artistic fountains and statues. In keeping with the authenticity of his visionary home, he had the octagonal stone that made up the structure imported from England. A long drive winded up towards the home through the gardens giving visitors an opportunity to take in the hyperbolic scenery. As with any castle of the medieval period, this one also was surrounded by a moat with an artificial lake that was created for drainage.  Civil War brought about the destruction of the Castle. Armistead Burwell had purchased the home in 1859 from the Mason family, but due to his pro-Union philosophy fled the city around the time of secession. Unfortunately, his support of the Union did not save his home. After Vicksburg’s surrender on July 4th of 1863, Federal occupying forces tore the home down in order to use Castle Hill as a battery for the defense of the city. The last remaining images of the Castle show soldiers camped on the lawn just before its demolition