The home located at 1023 Main St. was built between 1898 and 1902, most likely as rental property, by the Schaeffer family as they lived around the corner at 812 Adams St. The city directory does not show residents in 1906, unfortunately, but the 1911 city directory has Prospero and Minnie Gargaro living there.  

Prospero Gargaro was the president of the Vicksburg Bottling Company and sold groceries, cigars and tobacco. By 1921, Ernest and Louise Mendrop, he a foreman with the Government Fleet, lived at 1023. Then in 1924, James and Mary Bobbs lived there. In 1929, it was home to Howard and Louise Thomas (machinist) and Frances McClanahan (widow of B. M). In 1935, Robert and Lucinda Finch and Lawrence Finch (driver) lived there. In 1962, William and Mamie Davis, Bob and Joann Smith and Troy and Geneva Vassal lived there.

 The home at 1019 was built between 1915 and 1918 with John and Annie Petkovsek living there in 1918. He was a woodworker at the Christian and Brough Company. By 1929, Elmer and Nona Gray, he a “batteryman” with 85 Tire and Battery, and Joseph and Kath Marsicano, he a battery repairer, lived at 1019. Marsicano was still there in 1945 when they learned that their son Joseph was killed in action on Okinawa. He was a marine, only 19 years old, and a graduate of St. Aloysius. In 1962, Ida and Isaac Sephton, an employee of the state highway department, lived there.

 In 1986, Bill and Patsy Shappley bought 1023 for their family home and then, a couple of years later, they bought 1019 and added a hyphen between the two houses, making a large house that still appeared to be the two original houses.  

They sold the house(s) a few years ago and the current owners continue to love and maintain them. They remain important buildings to the neighborhood.  

– Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.