This antebellum home in Biloxi was built in 1843. How’d it survive hurricanes and war?

One of the only antebellum homes left standing on the Mississippi Coast is perhaps the oldest building in Biloxi and has endured hurricanes, floods and a war to stand as a fascinating connection to the past.

The land upon which the Old Brick House occupies today was originally chartered by the Spanish during their control of Coastal Mississippi. In 1784, a French settler named Jean Baptiste Carquote sought and was granted the large land parcel which spanned nearly 286 acres.

Although the exact construction date of the building remains unknown, historical accounts suggest that the Carquote family left the land to New Orleans native William Rodgers. It is believed that he likely oversaw construction of the Old Brick House around 1843.

Restoration architect Samuel Wilson, Jr. of New Orleans later confirmed this: “Some of the details seem to date from the 1830’s or 1840’s. The red brick and gabled ends recall some of the buildings built by Americans in New Orleans and also in Natchez.”

Rodgers utilized a unique approach when constructing the home by using heart-pine lumber for the flooring and three-layers of bricks for the walls. This sturdy approach played a key role in protecting the home through centuries of hurricanes and flooding, and is the chief reason the home still stands today.

Biloxi mayor buys the home in 1850

The Old Brick House was designed as a 1 1/2-story Greek Revival cottage. Its layout is a combination of a center-hall plan and a three-room Creole plan, making it one of the more unique home interiors of the time period.

Also of interest is the fact that the property faces the Back Bay of Biloxi instead of the road. This is testament to 19th century life in Coastal Mississippi, when travel by boat was the preferred method of transportation. The road behind the home was built over a century later.

Rodgers initially put in his will that the property should be sold to help the poor boy’s asylum in New Orleans. Following Rodgers’ passing, the home was sold to Biloxi mayor John Henley around 1850, for the price of $865.

Henley is most remembered for his role in leading Biloxi’s coastal defenses during the Civil War. It was during Henley’s time as mayor, and as the owner of the Old Brick House, that Ship Island and Biloxi were captured by Federal troops.

Following the war, Henley continued to reside at the Old Brick House, before it was sold again in 1872 to Jacob Elmer. By this point, the home was one of only four brick houses standing in Biloxi.

In 1878, the Old Brick House was sold again, this time to Dr. Edward Bell of New Orleans, who used it as his summer residence. His family would retain the home until 1921.

Over the next three decades, the house served as an office space, a rental property, and even as a machine and junk workshop. Unfortunately, these years took a toll on the home, resulting in the weathering and the gradual erosion of its original charm.

In 1952, restoration efforts were initiated by the Dogwood Garden Club with the intent of preserving the historical structure, ultimately transforming it into a house museum.

By this point, the building was described in its lease as “a very old brick house, which after much research various people in the City of Biloxi consider to be the oldest house now standing in the City of Biloxi.”

Hurricane Katrina causes significant damage

By 1966, substantial progress had been made in the restoration efforts, and the city of Biloxi officially handed over ownership to the Biloxi Garden Center. For the rest of the 20th century, the Old Brick House found purpose as a meeting venue for the Biloxi Garden Center and hosted a variety of other events.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 3, 1973 and was designated a Mississippi Landmark on January 8, 1987.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage to the Old Brick House. Despite laying dormant and damaged for several years, a $740,000 reconstruction project managed to restore it to its original state.

Allegedly, the ghost of a man wearing 1800s clothing can occasionally be seen sitting on the porch smoking a cigar, possibly the apparition of Carquote, Rodgers or Henley.

Today, the Old Brick House, located at 622 Bayview Avenue, is one of the few Antebellum homes left on the Coast, and is quite possibly the oldest building in Biloxi. It is currently owned by the city and can be reserved as a venue for various types of receptions and events.

This story was originally published August 20, 2023 at 8:00 AM.