According to my leisure reading from, Lanterns on the Levee, The House of Percy, and Rising Tide, and talking with local people in this area, this is what I know regarding the shotgun houses on Floyd Smith Rd. previously known as Woodburn Road. They were constructed between 1890 and 1920. They were built as part of the reconstruction plan after the Civil War. There were two notable plantations in this area: Centralia and Woodburn. The Centralia Plantation headquarters was on Hwy 49 between Indianola and Inverness close to Baird-Rupert Rd. intersection. Woodburn Plantation Headquarters is located on Woodburn Rd. and belongs to the Brewer family. It is located on the East side of the Sunflower River, 2.5 miles South of the Woodburn Bridge. After the Civil War, the plantations were divided and new housing was built for the former plantation labor. The timber cut for these shotgun houses was from local forests. It was hauled to the sawmill on the Sunflower River at Woodburn Plantation. There was a second sawmill at Moorhead. White Deadening, South of my house and Dement Woods (also known as Little Africa) 1/2mi North of my house are the most likely places the trees were cut. The trees chosen were anything that would withstand the weather--pine, oak, gum, elm, and cypress. The rough-hewn boards are better than one inch thick. The house design was called shotgun because you could stand at the front door and fire a shotgun all the way through the house, and the buckshot would come out the back door, due to the doors all being aligned either to the left or right in the structure. (*See Note 1) The roof had a pitch angle to shed rainwater and was tin. The structure was heated by a wood burning fireplace and had no indoor plumbing. The water supply was well-water. The occupants dug their own wells. The water was drawn up by a rope and bucket. Food was prepared on a wood-burning stove that was vented to the roof or the fireplace chimney. In the late 1930s and early 1940s the federal government started a program to help the economy in the Mississippi Delta. The plantation land, originally under private ownership, was confiscated by the federal government due to back taxes and by other nefarious measures. It was further divided into small parcels of land laid out in a German square. The three room shotgun houses were remodeled into family homes, with usually 6+ rooms. They were covered by asbestos siding. (This is not the harmful asbestos.) Two or three of the shotgun houses would be dragged to a new location and combined by knocking out the inner walls, adding kitchen cabinets, and combining the roof. Screened porches were added. This house had it's original fireplace constructed of molded brick. Wood burning fireplaces were used for heat. The houses had electricity but no indoor plumbing. Each owner drilled for his own water supply, and the pumps were powered by the old lever-type handle and had to be primed with additional water. Later, the pumps were powered by electricity. The walls were covered with paneling, usually pine, cut in one of the designs known as tongue and groove. Dairy barns were built for each farm, these were used to milk the cows, and the land was fenced for pastures. Each farm had another large barn for livestock and storage. The lower level stored farm equipment and a corn crib. This is where my Dad kept the King Snake. This snake made an excellent rat trap. The upper level was used to store hay. Some farms had smoke houses, chicken houses, and, of course, the outhouse. I also had a small building which I used for a playhouse. The owners raised livestock to eat and sell, milked the cows, and sold the milk to the government (standards for cleanliness and quality were high). The owners had vegetable gardens, and planted cotton and corn. The farms are small--50 to 60 acres each. On the West side of Woodburn Rd. (Floyd Smith Rd.), the land belonged to Woodburn Plantation and was still under private ownership. The shotgun houses for the plantation's black workers were occupied. When I came in 1954, there was at least five on the West side of the road. They disappeared, one by one. The houses, constructed of cypress, were torn down and the boards used for paneling in new homes.
When the Veterans returned home after W.W.II, financial programs were made available to them at favorable terms and interest rates. They could buy the dairy farms. My Dad served in the Navy and bought this one in 1954. In the late 50s, he had the walls sheet-rocked, cement blocks for porches were added, the plumbing updated, all the windows were replaced, and the popular pine kitchen cabinets were installed by Inverness Lumber Company. The house size is approximately 1065 sq ft plus the porches and storage. In the 70s, my Mother paneled the living room, dining room, hall, and master bedroom. She installed the storm windows and blown fiberglass insulation. In 1991, I had all the wiring, except the back porch, replaced. In 2010, I replaced the hot water heater. As time passed, all the other buildings, on the site, were torn down. I had the dairy barn buried, on its site, using a backhoe, in 2001. It was an eyesore due to lack of repair. There is detailed information on the landscaping, appliances, and remodeling. I kept a supply of the remodeling material for cost-effective use. I started remodeling in Nov. 2001, with a double closet in the master bedroom and the bookcase in the living room. I remodeled with the idea I would eventually add on to the structure and live in it. The carpenter, Kenny Hester, started with the foundation. He put in seventeen+ cement blocks with 4 x 4 treated lumber posts to stabilize the foundation. He installed 4x4 treated lumber supports where the buildings were attached: one north and south, the other east and west.Iadded 10,020 lbs of concrete (quikrete) and 600 lbs of gravel to the house foundation. James (Sarge) Moore and his crew of (4) inspected the entire building while rebuilding the NW bedroom. (Fall 2009) They performed all repair and maintenance work the foundation required.
Jan. 2002, Kenny removed the wall between the kitchen and dining area. The window in the dining room was removed and replaced with two single-paned glass French doors opening to the back porch. Kenny built new kitchen cabinets designed for a cook. It is the second kitchen he and I have remodeled. Every inch of space is incorporated for utility and storage. The lower cabinets are fitted with pull-out shelves and lights. The upper cabinets all have lights underneath which give plenty of light for the large countertop work space. The pantry cabinet goes from floor to ceiling and has adjustable shelves. It is perfect for spices, canned goods, and candles, etc. The black glass-cooktop is Whirlpool. The black, ceramic tile back splash makes cleaning easy. The vent-a-hood is 24" of black enamel, and made by Broan. It is lighted, and the fan speed is adjustable. It is vented to the attic. The dishwasher is black, Whirlpool with several cycles and options for cycles. This dishwasher makes cleaning large cooking equipment a snap. The countertop is Formica and includes colors of black, brown, and gold. The garbage disposal is Kitchen-Aid 3/4 hp. It is the largest they make for residential use. The sink is a black, cast-iron double made by Kohler. The faucets are brass, swan-necked made by Price-Phister. The plumbing is new with cut-off valves and an ice-maker portal. All the walls and the floor were replaced with top-grade wood. The North wall was insulated with fiberglass insulation. A vertical, double-casement, hinged window, made by Andersen, replaced the kitchen window. The interior of the house is painted the same color--a soft cream. The kitchen cabinet hardware is brass. The cabinet shelves all have plate grooves. Crown molding accents the ceiling in the kitchen/dining and living room areas. The kitchen light is a drop down, fluorescent and finished with the crown molding. The garbage can is a pull-out wood frame, on special hardware glides. The bottom corner cabinet has a special hardware lazy-susan for ease of access.(All of this type harware had to be special ordered for quality construction.)It has a cookie-sheet rack and a shelf. The light over the sink is from Stuart-Irby in Jackson. It was chosen for its style and delicate light enhancing design. It is controlled by a dimmer switch. Two full-sized black, self-cleaning, Whirlpool electric ovens were installed. Below the ovens is a large, deep drawer. The drawer can be compartmentalized. (That is, it has plywood dividers that can be put in grooves to divide the drawer.) I use it for larger kitchen utensils,small kitchen appliances, and filing as it is close to the desk. There are four additional drawers in the kitchen cabinets. The kitchen features a four drawer desk with telephone and internet access. A striped designer wallpaper completed our efforts. All the appliances were purchased Jan. 2002 and are built in, except the refrigerator, and it is not for sale. (11'5"x21') The microwave can either go with the sale, orI can remove it.
The dining area has a wine rack and mini-bar modeled after one at The Olive Garden in Jackson. The mini-bar has special hardware, due to the weight of the liquor, to support the pull out shelf. The light fixture is a (5) frosted globe brass chandelier with a dimmer switch.
The living area has a floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall bookcase with adjustable shelves. A tract light, with a dimmer control, highlights the built-in fireplace. The well-used fireplace was purchased from an antiques store in Harahan, La. It is now a faux fireplace with traditional French styling. It is built-in on a raised platform, and Kenny finished the base with tile that we used for flooring. (13'3"x13')
There is an uninterruptedview thru the oval paned front door thru the double doors connecting the living and dining area and thru the double French doors into the backyard. During Christmas I outline these (3) doors with clear lights and there are (5) deer with clear lights in the back yard. It makes a pretty drive-by display for the Holidays.
The master bedroom(sw) is paneled, and Kenny installed two double closets with louvered, bi-fold doors. The closets include four drawers, constructed to be compartmentalized. (Same as kitchen drawer above.) The closets were built to my specifications regarding pegboard siding to hang hair dryers and accessories. The drawers, at the bottom, dictate the area for suits, blouses, dresses, and there is an area for formal attire. The shelving and closet rods were constructed so as not to be a nuisance to clothes hangers. The room has a ceiling fan and large windows, for lots of light. The sunsets are magnificent. (13'x13'2")
The Southeast bedroom has a large double closetwhich is also constructed so as not to be a nuisance to clothes hangers. It has pegboard siding. In 2011 I remodeled the closet adding two bi-fold louvered doors and lighting. I alsoupdated the room with new crown moulding. This room would make a great office. It is my retreat. I currently have a treadmill and Tv in this room. The room has (2) large windows and gets the morning sun. (11'5" x 9'5")
The hall features paneling, a wall-mounted light, and pull-down stairs forattic access. The attic is partially floored with room for more flooring. It has a safety post at the top of the stairs, (2) large fluorescent lights (well-lit), and electrical outlets. A three ton central air and heating unit by Trane is installed. It is cost-efficient. I consider my utilities very reasonable. The attic is ventilated by turbo and wood vents. I have stored remodeling material and repair supplies in the attic. They are: ceramic tile, floor tile, asbestos shingles, formica, and molding. There is extra paint in the outside storage.
The bathroom is outfitted with a lighted red Formica vanity cabinet a pull-out drawer and black Kohler sink. The vanity faucet is Delta, swan-necked, chrome and brass. The toilet is black Kohler. The plumbing is all new with cut-offs. For overhead lighting, there is a ceiling light-exhaust fan combination. Over the vanity is a vintage-style, frosted tulip bulb, (4) light fixture mounted on a brass bar. The tub and shower enclosure are made of fiberglass. Accessing the tub and shower are sliding, tempered-glass doors.Access to plumbing repairshas been conveniently located in boxes installed in the wall.I added these for convenience. The bathroom has a black striped designer wallpaper.
The Northwest bedroom has a double closet with bi-fold, louvered doors, a ceiling fan, crown molding, and new windows. (3'4"W/4'6"L) This room is completely insulated for energy conservation. Sarge and I did overkill. New Maritech windows were installed with ergon gas between the panes. I am very pleased with the windows. They are deep set to allow for large sills. All the energy saving costs qualify for the energy credit. This room views the sunsets. (13'x 9") This room was completely renovated Fall 2009 by James (Sarge) Moore and crew for the foundation and structure. Later, Bill McClellan and Gary Johnson did the inside carpentry and finishing touches. All workers are local, skilled craftsmen.
The back porch is a large, painted concrete slab, screened. It has two access doors from the house--one from the kitchen and the 2nd from the French doors in the dining area. The walls are wood and asbestos. It is painted white, with open rafters, and has a ceiling fan. It has a storage room--lighted, well-insulated, and it has duct-work in place, forcentral air and heat. This addresses future remodeling plans. It features shelving and pegboard for storage. It contains a 40 gallon, gas-fueled, hot water heater (new). (48 sq ft) The washer and dryer hook-ups are on the back porch. I currently have a TV, small fridge, Legend full body workout machine, security camera, and daybed here. There is an outside electric outlet and doorbell by the back screened door. The porch looks out over the farmland and the brake. Sago palms and fern outline the east screened wall. There is a water supply available for a water fountain, lily pond, or a koi pond. The porch faces East.Glimpses of the sunrises are a great way to start the day. (136 sq ft) Painted 4/10.
The front porch is a painted concrete slab with a vintage light fixture. It has a flower box by the front door. The front door is wood with a large, clear, oval glass pane and brass traditional style hardware. It has a doorbell and outside electrical outlet. (96 sq ft) Painted 10/06. A lattice trellis holds up lavender Japanese wisteria.
The drive and parking area was put down Dec. 2002. A foundation was prepared by bulldozing. A base powder was laid to harden. Grey rock was added. A white lattice fence was added 5/25/2007. An evergreen vine, Confederate jasmine, was planted along the fence 2008. A concrete (quickrete) walkway was added to the front yard, and concrete (quickrete) steps was added to the back yard.
I added an 8x10 pre-fab metal building (Home Depot) for outside storage August 2002.
The rose garden is planted with Jackson & Perkins roses--hybrid teas, floribundas, and climbers. I have a diagram with the names of most of them. A permanent white lattice trellis was installed for the wisteria 9/07. There are daylilies, ivy, and jasmine. There is a fig tree--Celestial is its common name. There are redbuds, a dogwood, pecan, oak, and magnolia trees. I planted Leland cypress trees as a windbreak, from the North-wind, on the North side of the house lot. I planted a few flowering, Bradford Pear trees South of them. In addition, I planted a few light, pink, dwarf, crepe myrtle trees South of the Bradford pear trees. There are many light, pink, dwarf, crepe myrtle trees (10'-12'), two white, dwarf, crepe myrtle trees (10'-12'), two light pink crepe myrtle trees and four purple crepe myrtle trees (20'). Various bluestar and green juniper bushes, cedar trees, and mugo pines were used for landscaping, due to their hardiness and varied forms. There are gardenias, nandinas, wisteria (2) types, monkey grass, cannas, red oleander, four-o-clocks, fern, aspadestrea, hostas, sago palms, marlow hibiscus, elephant ears, and Japanese maples. The ground surrounding the house site was leveled by bulldozing before landscaping. I have information on suppliers and most of the plants. There is room for more. Plants that are indigenous to the area do well.
There is room for an addition to the house and a vegetable garden.
For emergencies, in case of electric power failure, the central air and heat unit's thermostat has a back up battery. I do not know the life of this battery. In addition, for an emergency heat supply, (2) gas outlets were left for a temporary infrared gas heater. Only one heater will be needed. There is a regulator on the gas line, to keep the fuel flow stable. Mobile security cameras are installed and other security measures have been taken.
PVC pipe lines are installed underground to drain the house foundation and washing machine. The water lines under the house were raised, replaced with pvc, and insulated 9/07. The kitchen drain has a trap installed for unclogging. The septic tank has three traps, and the line from the bathroom has one trap. All these traps and other measures were added at installation or when problems arose. They make dealing with problems much easier. I seldom have problems with drainage or clogging. The plumbing and water have never been a problem. The septic tank was cleaned 1/08.
The water supply is from Sunflower Water Association. A public well supplies the water. The water tastes great, and does laundry and personal hygiene well.
The gas supply is propane, and my distributor--Gresham.
All the electrical wiring and box were inspected by Leroy Bowlin, when he installed the central air and heating unit, April 2002. It was Mr. Bowlin's decision to add extra voltage, at that time, for an addition. Delta Electric Power Company did the work.
The physical address is 102 Floyd Smith Rd., Indianola, MS 38751, and the phone is listed as Inverness with a (265) prefix.
The house faces West. It was painted a white satin August 2004. The roof is gray, shingle tiles and was replaced Dec. 2000.
In remodeling, I have accented natural light inside the house and the view of the outdoors. In landscaping, I did not plant anything at the parameter of the house lot to block the views except to the North. The suppliers I used are: Price-Phister, Kohler, Whirlpool, Andersen, Broan, Delta, Kitchen-Aid, and Trane. The floor tile, throughout the house, is new. I bought it at Home Depot, and it has a life-time warranty. This is not a complete listing of suppliers. I have a folder which has the manuals, warranties, and small tools supplied with some appliances. I have diagrammed the drain pipes, telephone lines, water line, and gas lines.(Brochure) The adjacent farm land was sold 2/09. A covenant prohibiting any building construction on the adjacent farmland extendsuntil 2/11. The new owner is very easy-going and nice. The land was farmed by a local farmer in 2009 and 2010.
My Dad was a hunter and outdoorsman. I grew up eating wild game. He installed the windows, which were the largest available at that time, for the view. (40"Wx52"H) It is quiet except for the birds. There are woodpeckers, whip-o-wills, doves, and bob-whites. I can identify their calls. There are hawks, herons, cardinals, blue-jays, black birds, red-winged black birds, sparrows, owls, starlings and many more. There are armadillos, porcupines, squirrels, raccoon, possum, fox, cottontail rabbits, bobcats, skunks, snakes (good and bad), turtles, coyotes, and deer. The animals have made a crossing on theeast endof the brake which is the southern boundary of the house lot.It is a shortcut for them to travel at night from the Sunflower River to White Deadening and back to the Sunflower River over at Kinloch. In August, the hummingbirds visit. In January, for a short time, the migratory birds arrive. They are a delight. I am very protective of the wildlife. I have (3) coveys of cardinals in the winter. They enjoy eating the magnolia seed pods.
There are post offices, grocery stores, fire stations, and hospitals within 6 miles. Waste Management picks up the garbage on Wednesday morning. Daily, rural mail pickup is available. FedEx and UPS delivery is available. Emergency facilities are available and ambulance service. There are several Home/Health nursing services in the area. Moorhead Jr. College is 12 miles. Delta State University is 40 miles. The house lot is (1) acre.This property has been maintained by me since 1991. I make improvements, repairs, and paint every year.
Upon request I will mail you my marketing brochure on the property. My cell phone# 662-303-1096. The brochureincludes an aerial survey map(Platt) , road map, diagram of lines, pipes, etc, pictures, and lagniappe.Iam a CPA by profession. I have a license in real estate. Note 1: I have heard of licentious adventures connected with the term shotgun house. Note 2: This brochure, if downloaded, plays to Cajun music and has (7) sound bites.
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