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Pictured are Denise and Bill Mounger. (Photos by David Rorick)

Denise and Bill Mounger’s home on Drummond Street is one of the many beautiful homes located in the area. Donning a “Free Classical Queen Anne” style, onlookers often pause when driving or walking by to admire the vintage beauty.

Or, it could be because the Mounger’s home is affectionately known as “The Gnome House” thanks to a local artist.

A few years ago, Denise Mounger placed several mischievous garden gnome figurines in her yard. A local artist sketched a picture of the house, including the gnomes, and the picture became very popular. The legacy of gnomes was added to the historic house.

But the yard isn’t the only place the gnomes roam. Denise found the attention they garnered to be humorous, and decided to further embrace her fondness for them.

“We’ve collected gnomes from every season, from Valentine’s to fall to Christmas to Halloween. The grandchildren enjoy seeing them out and around,” Denise said.

Gnomes can even be found on one of Mounger’s Christmas trees. In the keeping room next to the kitchen, a tree festooned with gnomes is put up each year to embrace the fun, fantastical side of Christmas.

When the Moungers were searching for a home 20 years ago, owning a historical home might not have been a requirement, but when they found this lovely “painted lady” it checked all the boxes.

The Moungers also enjoy relaxing while reading books or listening to music as they sit in the rocking chairs on the spacious porch.

“We love just about everything about the house,” Denise said. “One of our spots is the big front porch, where we can socialize with neighbors in the afternoon or play games with the grandchildren during the summer months.”

History of the home

The Moungers’ house came with a rich legacy of stories about the families who have lived there over the years. Denise has conducted extensive research regarding the previous residents of the home.

The Drummond Street area, although now considered to be part of the vibrant heart of Vicksburg, was not originally a part of the River City. It was known as “Speed’s Addition,” and even had its own town hall.

In 1881, Judge Frederic Speed and Thomas R. Foster purchased 69 acres of what had previously been Lonewood Plantation. The area was divided into lots measuring approximately 50 by 150 feet and sold for around $600 each — around $18,000 in today’s dollars.

The lot the Moungers’ home sits on was purchased in 1896 by the Company of Warner and Searles, a “Gent’s clothing and furnishing” store. Daniel Searles, a partner in the business, had interest in building a home on the lot. Unfortunately, before he could realize the dream of building a home for his family, he died in 1900 from a malaria infection. His obituary stated he was “emphatically a man of public spirit, lending his personal and finances to every good practical measure in the city’s interest.” He left behind a wife, Mary, and six children.

Denise went on to say that Mary Searles purchased the lot from the company and hired an architect and builder. By October 1901, she and her children moved into the new home. She began opening her home to those who needed somewhere to stay while visiting Vicksburg or needed temporary lodging. Searles was also known to have hosted fundraising concerts in her residence.

In 1905, the City of Vicksburg annexed Speed’s Addition, promising to add lights, water and other conveniences. An “herdic line” was added to the area. The “herdic line” was a type of horse-drawn carriage used as a cab with side seats and an entrance at the back. Later, a trolley line was added. The line still lies beneath Drummond Street, which was paved in 1924.

Robert and Mattie Dent bought the home in 1910, and quickly became immersed in the Vicksburg community. Robert, an attorney, even served as a delegate to the Democratic convention in 1920. He died unexpectedly on April 2, 1935 of a heart attack. Mattie sold the house three years later to Bertha Goodman Rotstein.

Instead of living in the house, Rotstein turned it into three separate apartments. The house continued to operate as apartments until it was purchased by Gene and Lisa Barnett in 1996. From there, the property changed hands several times until the Moungers purchased the home in 2004.

Residents today refer to the neighborhood as “Fostoria,” but legend has it that when Speed and Foster purchased the area, they could not agree on a name. Speed wanted to call the new city “Fostoria,” and Foster wanted it to be known as “Speed’s Addition.” The matter was settled with a coin toss, and Foster won. The newly purchased land was crowned “Speed’s Addition.” However, somewhere along the way, the name “Fostoria” took hold.

The Fostoria area is a thriving and diverse community, proud of its storied history. The sidewalks encourage daily strolls by the residents, and the Moungers enjoy greeting friends and neighbors as they sit on the porch in the evenings.

Design and decor 

Queen Anne style homes were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Typical features of Queen Anne architecture are classical columns, Palladian windows and dental moldings. Queen Anne homes typically have tall ceilings, deep archways and carved interior woodwork.

“Many of the features on the home embrace the ‘Free classical Queen Anne,’” Denise said. “There is an octagonal tower with decorative cut shingles on the house that appears to have been added sometime between 1907 and 1913. The hip and gable rooflines and large front porch with Doric columns are typical of this style of architecture.”

Inside the home, the spirit of the historic house is captured in the classic colors, high ceilings, pocket doors and traditional floor plan. The original gas fireplaces, although no longer used, Denise said, are still present. There are eight original mantelpieces throughout the home, each uniquely made from carved wood.

“The mantel in the dining room is one of my favorites,” Denise Mounger said. It features carvings of griffins and elegant scrolls.

She also likes the room because she is able to open the pocket doors separating the dining room from the living room and extend the dining area so it can seat their five children, their spouses and grandchildren.

“Being able to include my whole family at holidays is important,” Denise said.

And with family being important, Denise has incorporated some of Bill’s family heirlooms in the downstairs bedroom, which they now refer to as the “Granni Room,” named for Bill’s mother.

“It features furniture she used as a child,” Denise said. She estimates the furniture, which was moved from Bill’s childhood home in Greenville, is over 100 years old.

In decorating for the holidays, one of Denise’s favorite pieces is an angel figurine.

“I’ve had that angel figurine for about 35 years, and have used it in various ways,” she said. “It’s been a tree topper, a centerpiece and in a wreath.”

While most of the house has retained its original structure, the kitchen and keeping room have been updated to more modern accommodations. It’s a cozy area where the Moungers spend much of their time while inside the house.

It has become a perfect area for the couple to showcase their collection of “smoking men,” wooden figures that are usually carved from a single piece of wood. Incense is burned inside the “smoking men,” causing smoke to come out of the figure’s mouth and making it appear as if they are smoking.

“On a trip to Germany many years ago, I visited the town of Seiffen, tucked away in the Erzgebirge region of Germany,” Denise said. “It’s famous for its handmade toys, Smokers, Nutcrackers and other Christmas ornaments. It was there that I was introduced to the delightful little ‘Smokers.’  They date back to the 17th century and are made to look like villagers such as chimney sweeps, toy makers, basket weavers, miners, shepherds and lawyers.”

Another favorite decoration is the all-gold nativity set.

“It’s very special. It’s a fairly small nativity scene, but we enjoy putting it out during the holidays,” Denise said.

Holidays are truly a treasured time in the Mounger home. When hosting their children and grandchildren in their home, Denise said she loves the upstairs portion of the house, where the large rooms allow the couple’s nine grandchildren to bunk together. She recalled with a smile how “the blow-up beds are put end-to-end” in the rooms when the kids come to stay.

They Moungers plan on staying for a long time, because, using the famous words of a gnome, “there’s gnome place like home.”

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