House Hunt Brought Couple To Water Valley

House Hunt Brought Couple To Water Valley

THE OUTSIDER
By Justin Geurin

How well do you really know your friends? Do you know where they met? Do you know why they live where they do?

This week I got the chance to sit down with some of my closest friends, Chase and Brittany Dudley, and do just that. This was the first time I have interviewed a close friend and the first time I interviewed a couple together, and what I found out is that they have been holding back some great stories! 

Brittany grew up in Gore Springs, outside of Grenada, while Chase was born in Madison County. The two met at Mississippi College, where they briefly dated and then became close friends, before dating again after college. The two married and moved to Jackson, where Chase was working with his father as a developer, before he decided he wanted to go back to school. 

“We wanted to take that chance to move somewhere different and fun,” Brittany says and so, they ended up living in downtown Albuquerque, while Chase earned a Master’s Degree at the University of New Mexico. 

“It was fun, we were a mile from the Rio Grande and there were great trails for hiking and bike riding,” says Chase. 

After two years in New Mexico, the couple wanted to move back to the southeast, and they knew they wanted to find an older house to restore, so they moved in with Brittany’s parents and began searching for “something special.” Brittany knew she wanted to be relatively close to her parents, so they traveled throughout north Mississippi looking for the right home. 

One day, Chase spotted a potential house in Water Valley online and after a little research, he drove Brittany to Water Valley to take a look. 

“The house was a daunting challenge,” says Brittany, but it was just what they were looking for, a fixer-upper with potential, so they moved in and got to work. 

Now, when I say they got to work…they REALLY had some work to do on the home, which was originally built in 1882 and according to some, is among the oldest homes in Yalobusha County still standing. They had no central heat or air, making their first winter a struggle.

“When the wind would blow outside, the curtains in the house would move!”  Brittany recalls.

The renovation list was quite extensive according to Chase. “We replaced 95 percent of the electrical work, 100 percent of the plumbing, we leveled out the foundation, and redid the chimney, taking it down brick by brick and rebuilding it.” 

Despite all of the work, the unique character of the house continues to amaze the couple and makes for some really exceptional features. In some of the floor joists underneath the house, you can see the bark and axe marks from the original trees used to build the handmade home. They also wanted to make sure their renovations remained true to the home’s historical era and tradition. They reused some of the house’s old siding to build the front porch, which was then complimented by columns from a similarly old home in Ripley, Tenn. On the dining room chimney, there is even a brick with the inscription, “Viola September, 16, 1905,” pointing to the house’s long, interesting history. 

During their time in the house, the Dudley’s have attempted to piece together some of the home’s history, and many people have dropped by to talk about the home and share stories and memories they have of its place in town. 

“We think during the Great Depression it was used as a replacement orphanage after the one in town burned down,” says Chase. The couple is always interested in learning more about their home and ask anyone who has any pictures or information to contact them. Some of the family names they have encountered across over the years include the Iveys, Schafers, McCains, and they bought the home from P.J. Blount, who nicknamed the house, “The Folly.” 

Looking back, the Dudley’s are grateful this journey brought them to Water Valley. When they first arrived in town they were pleasantly surprised with Main Street and downtown. “Main Street was alive, you could feel it,” says Brittany, who recalls many of the towns they visited seeking a home “seemed dead.” The couple is most impressed with the people and their commitment to the community. 

“When the city does something, people show up, where other towns try to put on events and no one comes out,” Brittany says. “It is really good to have events and get to know people, everyone is welcoming and active,” Chase adds. Brittany loves what she describes as Water Valley’s own, “Baby boom,” which gives her plenty of friends with kids to hang out with. 

“If you go to BTC, or to the brewery, you see someone you know,” she adds. For Chase, Water Valley is a great option for young families because it is more affordable and the houses have so much more character. 

“It is a great small town; everyone is friendly and there is always something fun to do,” he says. 

  The couple wants to see Water Valley continue to grow, while also keeping the friendliness and charm that is so endearing. 

  “It doesn’t need much,” Chase says, highlighting the tennis courts and walking track at the Crawford Complex as something he used to have to pay for in other cities. Outside of a few small things, like a Splash-Pad area or updated playground equipment for kids, and another dining option or two, Brittany and Chase are more than happy they have chosen Water Valley to make their home and their future. “There is so much to do, the Art Crawl, the Watermelon Carnival, live music…it’s a great sense of community,” Brittany adds. However, according to Chase, “what really makes Water Valley special, is good people.” 

Now for the rapid-fire questions to close the interview with the Dudleys

What was your first car? 

Brittany – 1957 Chevy Bel-Air nicknamed, Darlin’ 

Chase – 1972 FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser

You are stranded on a desert island, what three things do you want to have with you? 

(Author’s note: for this one I assumed they are stranded together and have their son, Barron, with them so I told them I would let them pick four items together, and the conversation that ensued was hilarious! 

– “A boat (C), a pillow and blanket, a music source (B), a snorkel (C), the Bible. (B), and the biography of Alexander Hamilton to mix it up (C)” (I had to stop them eventually)

Is a hotdog considered a sandwich? 

Brittany – Yes, Chase – No

IF you could have one superpower, what would it be? 

Brittany – Telekinesis , Chase – Flying

It’s karaoke night, what is your go-to song to sing? 

Duet – “Love the Way you Lie” Rihanna featuring Eminem (There may or may not be video evidence of this taking place)

Last meal, what do you want? Entrée, desert, and beverage? 

Brittany – Juicy bacon cheeseburger, my mother’s chocolate pound cake, and an ice-cold Larry Brown Ale

Chase – My mother-in-law’s lasagna, her butterfinger cake, and Dos Viejos  Tempranillo (a red wine from New Mexico)