Looking back: Glenwood Circle home was one of first in neighborhood
Published 10:44 am Thursday, August 22, 2024
- 3 Glenwood Circle. (submitted photo)
This Colonial Revival house located at 3 Glenwood Circle was built in 1941 for Dolph and Juanita Grolock. When the house was built, there were only a few houses in the new residential area. The neighborhood was developed by Lawrence Hennessey and in January 1939, The Vicksburg Post reported that “when Lawrence Hennessey and his business associates conceived the idea of a pretty new suburban division in the old Dyer Pecan Bowl, they decided to name it Glenwood, a name as pleasing as the topography there. But Lawrence didn’t settle on the name haphazardly. He got out his dictionary and made sure the term ‘glen’ was correct, as applied to the several pleasant glades receding into the northern hills there.”
Dolph was a librarian with the U.S. Engineers and Juanita was a secretary, also with the Corps. Juanita was an accomplished horsewoman and had a stable on the property, giving riding lessons in Glenwood Circle. Dolph was a native of St. Louis and was working for the Mississippi River Commission in 1929, when the Corps moved their offices to Vicksburg. He moved here with them. The Grolocks were very involved in community organizations, including helping to start the Vicksburg Community Concert Association. Dolph worked with the Vicksburg Harbor and Port Commission to perpetuate the historical aspects of river boats and commerce through the Corps of Engineers projects and the preparation of displays on the Steamer Sprague. When he retired in 1961 after 43 years, The Vicksburg Post reported that “he is considered a ‘specialist’ concerning Federal laws affecting the Mississippi River Commission, with an outstanding ability to cite statutes, records, and publications relating to flood control and navigation improvements on the lower Mississippi River to the MRC staff, the Commissioners, and the general public.”
After Dolph retired, he and Juanita moved to Sunland, Calif. and the house was occupied by Melvin and Harriet Markel. Melvin was the chief accountant for the Southwest Potash Division of American Metal, Inc. In about 1963, William and Carolyn Ramsey bought the house.
Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.