By Staff
COULDN'T RESIST THE BIG, PINK MANSION Lucky and Carolyn Lisenbe are the new owners of the Elson House, a pink and white Victorian mansion built about 1894. Photo by Carisa McCain / The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
March 12, 2002
Lucky Lisenbe was enjoying a Saturday off two months ago, sitting on his back deck, thumbing through the classified section of The Meridian Star, when something caught his attention.
Scanning the homes for sale, his eyes stopped on an ad describing a historic Victorian home on 29th Avenue that was for sale.
The pink and white Elson House sits on a large lot at the intersection of 29th Avenue and 11th Street.
Eventually, Lucky and Carolyn Lisenbe made an offer and bought the house. They started moving in two weeks ago. The couple had been living in Eagle Point a subdivision in North Lauderdale County since marrying nearly three years ago.
Historic Meridian home
The mansion, built around 1894, was the home of Julius and Dora Neubauer Elson.
The eye-catching "pink house" has had many owners over the years and was featured in The Meridian Star's Profile 2002 edition. It has been for sale for a year.
The house has Eastlake design features made famous in the late-1800s including detailed carvings of mahogany mantelpieces, fireplaces with Roman carvings, American encaustic tile, an Eastlake staircase, a large foyer and stained glass windows.
The three-story house includes more than 5,000 square feet of living space. Lucky and Carolyn Lisenbe say it will take a lot of work to get the house in shape, but the investment is well worth it.
Not pink for long
Lucky Lisenbe said even though the house is famously "pink," it won't stay that way.
Carolyn Lisenbe said she has a long list of repairs that need to be done to the house.
Unlike past owners of the house, the Lisenbes say they don't plan to use the house as a commercial property.
LUCKY SAYS IT'S LUCKY
The new owners of one of Meridian's oldest homes found what they believe is a "good luck" mistake on the back staircase. Lucky Lisenbe said shortly after moving into the Elson House on 29th Avenue, he noticed something strange on the back staircase the 13th banister from the left is upside down. Coincidence? He doesn't think so. Lisenbe said he also found a horseshoe under the house. "I'm just going to leave it there. It's all good luck."