Charles Walter Redding, a native of the neighboring Bay Saint Louis, relocated to Biloxi after the Civil War. In 1907, Redding sought a new base of operations for his growing ship’s chandlery marine supply business. Mrs. Nancy “Annie” Pittman Redding vetoed her husband’s choice of beachfront property after a devastating hurricane in 1898 wrought havoc down by the waterfront. The couple agreed that Jackson Street provided sufficient protection from major storm damage. Mr. Redding contracted local architect & builder John Harkness to create an extraordinary home that demonstrated how successful Redding was.