Built
sometime between 1900 and 1905, this historical home has seen its
share of owners, beginning with original owner Elijah Cruse who,
according to Dottie Johnson, now deceased, built the home and then
passed away in 1905. A year later in 1906,
his
widow sold to Henry H. Wickline, whose family owned it until 1972.
In previous years, the home has been more commonly referred to as
the “Rock house’ because the Wickline’s daughter Anna, who inherited
the home, married Thomas C. Rock and owned it until her death in
1969. The home changed hands many more times after 1972, but since
January 2004 has been restored by the capable hands of the eighth
owners, Elton and Ruth Hollingsworth of Warren.
We owned a masonry business for thirty-five years and we also own a
number other rental homes in Tyler County. When we drove by this
house originally we could see the potential and we also had the
ability to make it happen. The rest is now Village Street Bed and
Breakfast history. We remodeled everything ourselves except for the
painting, roofing, and floors. It was our intention from the
beginning to share this home with the community and that is why it
is a bed and breakfast. It was obvious to us that the community is
also interested in this home. We had numerous visitors stopping by
and watching the progress and/or admiring the finished product as
guests. One of our most interesting guests was the very first
Dogwood Queen, Lucy Jane Nellius, and she shared her memories of
having her Dogwood photos taken in the back yard in 1940.
Future upgrades for Village Street Bed and Breakfast include opening
the upstairs as a nice, large suite and plenty of storage. Currently
there is no access to the attic area of the home.