Take a step back in time to Biloxi in the early 20th century at Redding House. This whitewashed architectural masterpiece is the last standing mansion of the downtown district. The striking designs and artistic features of Redding House showcase the talents of architects from the Gulf Coast. Visit the house on a walking tour of Biloxi’s many historical landmarks.
Learn about the history of the house, which dates back to the early 1900s, when businessman Charles Redding was looking for a new location for his ship supplies company. Redding’s first choice was the beachfront however, his wife dismissed the idea because of destruction caused by the hurricane of 1898.
Completed in 1908, the opulent house showcased the success of Redding’s enterprise. It was more recently used as a wedding venue and today stands as one of the city’s most impressive residential buildings.
Gaze in admiration at the mansion’s pristine neoclassical revival-style exterior. It features a porch wrapping around three sides and a balustraded upper deck supported by groups of Corinthian columns. Pay attention to the intricate detail of the capitals that sit on each column and the large shuttered windows. Gaze upward to see a striking Palladian window dormer with a rooftop balustrade.
The house is a short walk from busy Howard Avenue in downtown Biloxi. Use the free parking at lots on either side of the building in addition to street parking. Biloxi’s bus station is a 5-minute walk to the northwest.
Today it is possible to see Redding House only from the outside. After you view the building, discover other historical sights of Biloxi. Nearby are the antebellum-style Scherer House and Brunet-Fourchy House, another of the earliest houses in the city. Pause for a moment of reflection at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial and delve into carnival history at the Coastal Mardi Gras Museum.
