David Roselle has come full circle. Early in his career as a builder, he and fellow workers renovated a cottage building on the property of Luckett Compound, a group of houses at the end of Crawford Street.

Now, about 25 years later, he and his wife, Angie Roselle, have partnered with Ronnie and Christi Bounds to bring the nearly dilapidated property back to life.

The two Vicksburg couples are combining their individual skills with their love for local history to bring back what they believe is one of Vicksburg’s well-kept secrets.

When David and Angie Roselle and Ronnie and Christi Bounds saw the Luckett Compound was for sale in January, they decided it was an opportunity they couldn’t ignore.

&#8220We’ve always been familiar with it,” said Angie Roselle. &#8220We noticed it was for sale and thought we should buy it. It’s one of the oldest, coolest things we’ve ever seen.”

The four are renovating and sprucing up the properties to make apartments, which they hope to be available for lease in June. They haven’t yet decided on how much they will charge for rent for the one- and two-bedroom abodes, but they have decided to call it Penny Lane. The name came from an abundance of heads-up pennies they kept spotting around town at the same time of the purchase.

The group of houses, at 1116 Crawford St., was the residence of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Harper in the 1840s and most recently has been used as apartments.

The residential hideaway is surrounded by gardens put there by a previous owner. A constant blanket of green is separated only by trees, brick pathways and the buildings themselves. A spring-fed well behind the main building brings to the fore another historic element.

The wood-framed buildings are tucked away, but stand in the middle of the city, rarely seen by tourists because of the site’s dead-end location and bushes that line the property.

The quarter of a city block where the buildings sit welcomes visitors with a humongous live oak tree, which is the focal point of the property, Christi Bounds said.

On the inside of these buildings, pine wood floors peek from behind old, shag carpet. David Roselle, Ronnie Bounds and friend Billy Hicks have been removing carpet to expose the wood floors. In the main house, exposed beams in the ceiling are a reminder that the lower floor wasn’t always there. It was added by excavating the hill on which it was built. Classic architectural elements, such as the gables, mantels and moldings, are juxtaposed with modern appliances and accents.

With a history that includes billeting of Union troops after the Siege of Vicksburg, the property is the subject of many stories buzzing about town.

&#8220In the time since we purchased it, stories have trickled in from around the community,” David Roselle said. &#8220We are inviting (any more stories.)”.

It’s the history that has especially drawn Ronnie Bounds, a retired planner for the City of Vicksburg.

&#8220Think about Crawford Street – there are a lot of prominent properties built in the 1830s. Vicksburg had been incorporated about five years and it was a town of a few hundred people,” he said. &#8220You need to think – these buildings were here then.”

Angie Roselle is convinced that the property played witness to undocumented history. Its quaint setting and historic presence will make it a &#8220cool place to live,” she said.

&#8220It all happened right here,” she said. &#8220Willie Dixon could have walked by.”

Bringing its history to the fore and preserving what has come before is a main goal for the couples.

&#8220It’s the idea of acquiring the property and making an investment in it to ensure it will be able to be here for a long time,” Ronnie Bounds said.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the property was passed down through two families in its more than 170 years. Harper’s daughter, Viola, was married to W.R. Luckett, who was killed during the Civil War. After his death, she returned to the home with her children. Her daughter, Leila Luckett, inherited the house, where she lived until her death in 1935. Miss Leila, as she was known during her years as an educator, opened a gift shop on the first floor of her home, the oldest of the buildings, and ran the city’s first circulating library from there. After her death, the property was sold to Rigby Perry and obtained by his nephew, the late Bruce Farnsworth, in the 1970s. Farnsworth restored the houses and turned them into apartments, which is how they were used up until about two years ago, Angie Roselle said. But the two couples are determined to bring it back.

&#8220It’s something we want people to see and admire and be proud of,” David Roselle said. &#8220We want it to be a feature for Vicksburg.”

Roselle is retired from 30 years as a contractor and he and his partners and friends want to see the buildings restored to their former glory.

&#8220We’re doing foundation work, roof work and everything in-between,” he said. &#8220They’ve suffered neglect through the years and the ravage of age.”

David Roselle said the city’s attention to historic structures has made the project enjoyable – and easier.

&#8220We’re very fortunate in Vicksburg to have many skilled craftsmen who are familiar with historic structures and techniques,” he said.

Angie Roselle said it has been fulfilling to see each individual’s talents transpire as they work to ready the buildings for rental.

&#8220We all have unique talents we’re bringing to the table.”

And, the project came at the right time for the two couples, who have been friends for about five years.

&#8220We’re fortunate enough to be able to have the time to get actively involved,” David Roselle said.

Ronnie Bounds said they intend to &#8220put more into it than ‘rental property.’” They hope to provide a setting where residents can have access to Vicksburg’s booming downtown, but retreat to a &#8220quiet” place.

&#8220It’s everything you’ve longed for,” a phrase they placed on a brochure advertising the property, shows the couples’ belief that the Luckett Compound will live on.

&#8220We’re all attracted to the romance of it,” David Roselle said.