OHU50K Notes $149,900

c.1890 Historic Mississippi Home – The Wetherbee House. Charming charming charming! The white picket house of your dreams.

Fence featured at 503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS, 38701

Realtor Comments

Step inside this historic cottage in downtown Greenville and you will feel so warm and cozy. New Orleans architecture speaks loudly! Gas lanterns on the front porch are so welcoming to all visitors! Property has private quarters for property owner to stay and could lease out the other spaces. Over the years it’s location has remained excellent. Nestled on the corner by the restaurant the Butcher Shop that serves gourmet coffees- yummy ice cream bar and breakfast, lunch daily. Many Banks Trustmark, Guaranty, Planters and CBS are all neighbors of this property! Churches as well. City Hall and the courthouse are close cousins around the corner! Take a look at what this property could have to offer you! Call Misti Lewis for a showing and all the details today!

1 bed
1.5 bath
Build date 1890

Exterior featured at 503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS, 38701

If interested in a property, pleases contact the realtor whose link is provided in the post below, or contact an agent of your own choosing. Independent verification of details and status is recommended.

503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS $149,900

Contact Realtor: Misti Mauceli Lewis
Google Map
Niche

More featured at 503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS, 38701

Pros of Greenville, MS

1. Extremely low cost of living

Median home value around ~$75K
Overall cost of living is well below national average

This is one of the cheapest places in the country to live.

2. “Small city” with basic infrastructure

Population around 30K+
Has hospitals, schools, stores, and services

More functional than tiny rural towns like Gackle or Alden.

3. Rich cultural and historical identity

Located in the Mississippi Delta (birthplace of blues music)
Strong Southern culture, food, and traditions

Big intangible value if you care about culture and history.

4. Slower pace of life

Minimal traffic and low daily stress
Quiet, laid-back environment

5. Crime is mixed—not uniformly extreme

Some datasets show lower overall crime than many U.S. cities of similar size
Violent crime can be lower than national averages in certain analyses

Reality: very neighborhood-dependent, not universally unsafe.

Cons of Greenville, MS

1. Severe economic decline (biggest issue)

Population dropped ~10% over 5 years
Long-term decline tied to broader Mississippi Delta economy

This affects jobs, infrastructure, and overall quality of life.

2. Very weak job market

Limited industries and opportunities
Many businesses have left or closed (widely reported locally)

You’ll likely need:

Remote work, or
A very specific job lined up

3. High poverty rate

Around 30% of residents live in poverty

One of the highest rates you’ll see—this impacts everything:

Schools
Services
Housing quality

4. Crime perception & variability

Overall crime grade around D+ (worse than average)
Safety varies heavily by neighborhood

Local sentiment (subjective but telling):

“It feels unsafe… businesses have left town”

Even if stats vary, perception of safety is a real issue.

5. Limited amenities & entertainment

Few restaurants, nightlife options, or things to do
Can feel repetitive quickly

You’ll likely travel for variety.

6. Infrastructure & housing issues

Reports of aging infrastructure and declining neighborhoods
Some areas have vacant or deteriorating properties

7. Education challenges

Schools often struggle due to funding and poverty levels
Fewer higher education opportunities locally

8. Climate & environment

Hot, humid summers
Flooding risk (Delta region)

Bottom line

Greenville is a good fit if you:

Want extremely cheap housing
Value culture, history, and Southern lifestyle
Prefer a quiet, slow pace
Don’t rely on the local job market

Living Room featured at 503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS, 38701

More featured at 503 Washington Ave, Greenville, MS, 38701

History

The Wetherbee House in Greenville is a well-preserved example of late 19th-century residential architecture. Built in the early 1870s by Hiram E. Wetherbee, a Union veteran who later became a successful hardware merchant, the home reflects the period of rebuilding that followed the Civil War. He lived there with his wife Dora and children Henry, Edna and Ethel. Wetherbee’s business, Wetherbee & Brown, gained recognition as one of the oldest firms in the state during that era of reconstruction. The house remained in the Wetherbee family for about a century, with Ethel Wetherbee Finley living there until the early 1970s.

In 1973, the property was purchased and carefully restored by the Council of Greenville Garden Clubs, bringing the structure closer to its original 1870s appearance. A few years later, it was officially recognized for its historical importance when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1977. Architecturally, the Wetherbee House is a one-story frame cottage with clapboard siding, representative of the modest Delta style common during that period. Although additions were made around 1900 and later, restoration efforts have preserved much of its original character. The property also includes a carriage house believed to date back to before the Civil War, making it even older than the main residence. Today, the Wetherbee House serves as a local landmark and community space, functioning at various times as a museum, office space, and venue for events tied to Greenville’s history.