Bay St. Louis home gets national attention after HGTV appearance

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) - A Bay St. Louis home is getting national attention after appearing on HGTV's Beachfront Bargain Hunt.

Homeowner Heather Smith joined friends and family for a watch party Sunday night at Trapani's in the Bay. Smith lives in central Mississippi, but when she started looking for a home on the coast, it started a journey that brought her to this Bay St. Louis home.

"I went to the historical society, the home is on the national historical registry. They date the home back to 1900 but they think it may be a little bit older," said Smith. "Just a lot of things impressed me with the home. Then when I learned about the history, this home belonged to the butcher of Bay St. Louis. His name was Mr. Lang and nine people lived in this house. He and his wife had seven children."

The home's history was a selling point, but the style of the building sealed the deal for Smith. "I love this home because when I first looked at it, it's a shotgun home and I love a shotgun home," Smith said. "I love the architecture of that style house."

After surviving Hurricane Katrina, the previous owners took pains to maintain the authenticity of the home. "When I walked into the home, I immediately felt a sense of peace. It has the original bead board ceilings," said Smith. "It has the original oak floors. It even has the original doors from the Mockingbird Cafe right up the road."

She believes it's something you don't find in newer homes."It's just the sense of a simpler time and bigger is not always better," she said.

Smith believes that feeling makes her home in Old Town stand out from the rest.

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