Our History
About Us
Nestled amid the woodlands of Picayune, Mississippi, a mere forty-five minutes from New Orleans, our spacious two and a half-acre estate is a unique paradise that offers serenity and seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway in one of our sumptuous bedroom suites, looking to host an event or wedding, or experience one of our own elegant affairs, it can all be done on our grounds. The Henry Smith House is the perfect choice if you yearn for a genuine and unique experience in an authentic 1900s Victorian home among our pristinely beautiful grounds.
History of the Estate
The present-day Henry Smith estate rests on the land that was once the Farr Plantation. On August 18th, 1869, brothers Billy and Joshua Stockstill paid $1,200 dollars for the land. They separated it into two sections. Joshua chose the north half of the property, on which the Smith house is now situated. His daughter, Cordelia, married Henry Smith on December 25, 1888. Around 1905, she and Henry bought all of the acreage from the Stockstill heirs. They lived in the log cabin on the land, which was constructed circa 1874.
Around 1909, Henry Emmitt Smith hired the premier carpenter of the South, Hector Puyper, to commence building his home. Smith paid seven dollars per thousand board feed for knotless heart pine lumber, which was fashioned into tongue and groove boards with cypress shingles for the roof. All of the materials originated from trees on the property and were milled on the site. Puyper approached the construction of the house as though solving a puzzle – he visualized the house piece by piece and built it as such. The home had nine large rooms and a front porch, which acted as a gathering place when people came to visit.
Smith came to own more than a thousand acres. When he got older, he was faced with the challenge of dividing the estate into inheritances for his nine children. Prior to his passing in 1944, Henry resolved the division of property by holding a party at which each child drew a slip of paper from a hat that had a piece of the estate (excluding the house and approx. 3 acres) on it. Chester Smith, one of the sons, drew his parcel and then acquired the parcel with the house on it from his siblings and inhabited it with his wife Daisy until his death. Daisy continued to live in the house until around 1998, and she only used about 3 of the rooms. The house fell into disarray.
The house then went into the possession of Chester and Daisy’s son, Dale. He, in turn, passed it on to his son Royce, from whom Clint and Jeanette Meyer were able to purchase the property in July 2000 and return it to its original splendor. They dedicated nearly 20 years to restoring and enhancing the property with extensive renovations, along with cultivating the lush gardens and adding the pergola and pavilion to the grounds. They officially began operating the B&B in 2010, and in the years following began to host countless events and weddings.
In early 2020, the property was purchased by Dustin Castrinos, a successful wedding and event planner based in New Orleans. Dustin fell in love with the estate at first sight. With seemingly endless amenities and each area of the property with its own unique ambiance, Dustin envisioned countless possibilities for creative and memorable experiences.
From a bridal party and wedding sanctuary for southern Louisiana and Mississippi couples, to a destination wedding location for visitors to the GNO, a beautiful getaway for vacationers, to a breathtaking event & dining venue for travelers and locals alike - The Henry Smith House is the perfect location for any special occasion. We can’t wait to have you!
Read on for excerpts from featured articles in the Picayune Item.
“When Henry Emmett Smith hired in 1909 and 1910 the best carpenter in south Mississippi, Picayune’s Hector Puyper, to build his huge, rambling home west of Bunrt Bridge on the old Farr Plantation, Smith paid $7.00 per thousand board feet for heart pine lumber processed from local virgin pine forests that were rapidly falling to the insatiable appetite of the sawmills.
Waiting for Puyper to finish the home, Smith and his family lived in the old Joshua Stockstill log cabin, an original homestead, that still stands today beside the house that Puyper built Smith, highlighting the change in the building industry and prosperity that hit South Mississippi and Pearl River County, when the huge virgin timber harvest was under way at the turn of the century.
Today, obtaining heart pine lumber is “out of the question,” and can only be abought “out of a house,” according to one lumber retailer. And as for price, according to the retailer, No. 2 1 x 6 pine lumber today retails for about $250 per thousand board feet.
Puyper each day with his sons and helpers rode a wagon pulled by a big white mule out to Smith’s place to work on the house. Puyper walked around inspecting the construction, and if he didn’t like the way a wall was constructed, he wouldn’t tell anyone. He’d just slip his hammer from the loop and rapidly set about dismantling to the chagrin of his sons and helpers. Puyper was a perfectionist.
Chester, who is now retired, was born in the old log cabin as was his older brother, Rufus, who is now deceased. Shortly after moving into the new house, Dixie was born, now Mrs. E. L. Robbins, wife of Pearl River County’s Chancery Clerk.
Henry was married to Cordelia Stockstill, daughter of Joshua. Their other children included Nida (Mrs. B.M. Wheat), Mrs. Eunice Rainwater of Crossett, Ark., Charlie, now deceased, Herbert of Lake City Fla., Mrs. Ouida Loper and Mrs. Jessie Stewart.”
- By David Farrell (circa 1970s)
“She said many residents of Picayune would travel out to the old Smith place on hot summer evenings just to sit on that huge front porch in a cool soft evening breeze, listening to the crickets chirp and the lonesome bellow of a distant milk cow.
And she remembers when she was cooking a meal for Mr. Batson of Lumberton, who owned a large tract of land behind the Smith’s and came down ever so often to check on it. “I’m worried to death,” she said. “I’ve never cooked a meal for a millionaire.” “Aw, don’t worry about it, just fix those fresh vegetables and meat and he’ll love it,” Smith replied.”
- Information from Virginia Duke Smith (wife of Uncle Charlie)