About
OakHallBnB – An Historic Home with a Modern Feel.
The Fannie Willis Johnson Home, built in 1910 in the Mission Revival style, was designed by New Orleans architects Keenan and Weiss and was supervised by local architect William Stanton. It was constructed in Norman brick and trimmed in Bedford limestone by Curphey and Mundy Builders for $30,000. The Mission Revival style originated in California and was based on 17th and 18th century Spanish colonial architecture. Characteristics of the style are the Mission-gabled portico, cartouches, carved blocks over the columns, and wide bracketed eaves. The home is lined in quarter sawn oak and boasts 32 custom stained glass windows and original beaux art lighting fixtures designed by Louis Millet, from the Chicago Art Institute. Millet was responsible for the stained glass art and interior design oversite of the State Capitol Building in Jackson and the Illinois Monument at the Vicksburg Military Park. Fannie Willis Johnson, a Vick descendant, is best known for her philanthropic contributions to individuals and the community, such as to build the Junius Ward Johnson Memorial Y.M.C.A. and a Y.M.C.A. for African Americans, to make improvements to the Salvation Army Home, the Vicksburg High School Athletic Field, for a new school in south Vicksburg, playgrounds in the city, and to build St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. For some years before her death, she maintained a home for aged Protestant ladies and, when she decided to use her home for the Old Ladies Home, she was willing to live in the Carriage House so she could see them enjoy her home.
Details
Private tours available upon request. Please call or email to reserve a tour time.