The Magnolias at 1617 Monroe St. is a Vicksburg Landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Location and architecture are significant.  The site was owned by Vicks for whom Vicksburg was named.  It was subdivided in 1867 as Southmayd Survey.  Twelve lots weres laid out, eleven homes built.

Alice B. and James Murray bought Lot 8 on May 29, 1873.  Murray managed a sawmill nearby and according to eyewitness accounts, stacked hand-picked lumber on the site to air-dry before construction.  He sent workmen regularly to turn the timbers, to prevent warping or discoloration.  Materials and workmanship were reputedly the finest of the period.  Square nails were used, and walls were plastered over cypress lath.  The exact date of completion is not known.

The house was lighted by gas, some of the original fixtures remain.  Cisterns supplied water, their imprint still shows.

The exterior features finest Vicksburg Pierced columns, an architectural feature special to this area.  The finely-crafted brackets, balustrades and frieze are significant.

The hand-hewn front door is centered between sidelights and a transom of etched glass.  The doors, as are the floor-length front windows are in arched, molded surrounds.

Inside, woodwork is distinctive, doors, baseboards and molding.  Iron medallions are in parlor and dining rooms, which are joined by massive pocket doors.  The stairway has an elaborate hand-sawed newell and ascends straight to the second floor.

 

The Murrays and their heirs owned the home until 1931 when it was purchased by Nan Young and Clyde Sayers Howard.  Charles and Elizabeth Young Faulk, a niece of Mrs. Howard, acquired it in 1966. The home is currently owned by Jeneva Faulk Pickett, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth, and her husband Bob Pickett, who own and operate Pickett Photography out of the home.  

Of houses constructed in the original Southmayd development, only two remain.  The Magnolias is the lone surivor on Monroe Street.

 The Magnolias is currently listed for sale through Broker South Realty represented by Nina Rocconi.  Price of the home is listed at $199,000.  Interested  buyers may contact Ms Rocconi at 601-415-4503 or Jeneva and Bob Pickett at 601-636-7451 or online at:  pickettphoto@bellsouth.net.