Oak Hall & Fannie Vick Willis Johnson

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN)— Perched gracefully at 2430 Drummond Street, Oak Hall was constructed in 1910 in the striking Mission Revival style—a rarity in Mississippi—designed by New Orleans architects Keenan & Weiss and supervised by local architect William Stanton. Built with Norman brick, trimmed in Bedford limestone, it cost $30,000 to construct. The interior showcases quarter‑sawn oak, 32 custom stained‑glass windows, and original Beaux-Arts lighting fixtures designed by Louis Millet of the Chicago Art Institute, also known for his work on the Mississippi State Capitol and the Illinois Monument at Vicksburg Military Park

This architectural treasure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places not only for its unique style but also as a part of the South Cherry Street Historic District, which highlights its cultural importance to the city

Fannie was born around 1863 to John Willis and Martha Vick, of the founding Vick family.
In 1887, she married Junius Ward Johnson; they initially lived on a plantation in Sharkey County before settling in Vicksburg, where Oak Hall became their city residence.

Tragedy struck in 1919 when Junius was killed in a tornado that destroyed their Panther Burn Plantation home. In response, Fannie sold the plantation for $1 million and devoted herself to philanthropy in Vicksburg.

She funded two YMCAs in memory of her husband—one in 1923, and in 1924, a separate one for African Americans, during a time of segregation, ensuring access to vital social, educational, and spiritual support.

She also endowed improvements for the Salvation Army Home, the Vicksburg High School Athletic Field, a school in South Vicksburg, public playgrounds, and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
In her later years, she transformed Oak Hall into a home for aged Protestant ladies, even moving into the carriage house so she could share the main residence with its residents. Upon her death in 1931, her estate continued her legacy with the Fannie Willis Johnson Protestant and Ladies Home operating until 1966.

Today, Oak Hall stands not just as a testament to early 20th-century architecture but as a living tribute to Fannie’s compassionate vision. Under new ownership since 2016, the residence, now operating as a bed & breakfast, has been lovingly restored and is open for private tours, events, and accommodations. Tour visitors are often struck not just by the stained glass and oak trim, but by the ethos of giving embedded in its walls.

Oak Hall tells a multilayered story of architectural beauty, community devotion, resilience in the face of personal loss, and advocacy for inclusiveness during a divided era. Fannie Vick Willis Johnson remains a powerful, if understated, example of how one person’s quiet generosity can shape the social and cultural fabric of an entire city.