4877 South Highway 61, Wilson, AR 72395 - Mississippi County

Located in historic Wilson, Arkansas, this restored 7,218 square-foot, four-bed, four-and-a-half bath antebellum-style home sits on 25 beautiful acres, eight of which are in row crop production. Built in the 1930s by Jim Crain, this historic estate was laid out to be a showstopper from the front entrance to the front door and beyond. Jim Crain and Robert Lee Wilson Jr. ran the Lee & Wilson Company, based in Wilson, which at the time amassed 65,000 acres of row crop ground. To this day, the Crain family still owns thousands of acres of farm ground in the state.

The 550 foot oak-lined drive epitomizes a southern manor and leads you to the doorsteps of its Classical Revival home with two-story squared Doric columns. If you are a wings shooter, the property also boasts a highly productive dove field.

As you walk out the back door you will see a charming courtyard lined with magnolia trees aptly named Magnolia Alley, coupled with a backdrop view of a beautiful lake and golf course built by business mogul Gaylon Lawrence. Several years ago, he transformed the town bringing commerce and infrastructure including a luxury hotel, restaurants, shops, and even wine tastings.

-Jim Crain of the Crain Company built the home in the late 1930s and was once known as the Showplace of the Delta.

-Original external copper accents still adorn the home with 1937 engravings.

-Just out the side door is Magnolia Alley, a beautiful courtyard lined with iconic mature magnolia trees.

-Opening weekend of dove season two years ago, the owners and friends harvested 15 limits in three hours over a sunflower field.

-The town of Wilson was bought by Gaylon Lawrence in 2010, and turned into a destination location with investments in infrastructure including the Wilson Cafe, Gunns Fresh Market, Hampson Museum, The Grange, The Louis Hotel, Menda Spa, a local golf course and field club, and more.

-Although rural, a state-of-the-art fiber optic network and public WiFi are available

-Frequent events such as wine tastings and music shows are held throughout the year in Wilson.

-In 2014, The Delta School was started as a private K-12 school in Wilson and was recently donated to the state community college.

OPPORTUNITIES

Five years ago, the Smith family restored Oak Meadow to its current state with a long list of additions and improvements to the home and landscape. Although there have been many improvements, the opportunities are endless to continue the personalization of both the home and landscape into a southern dream. The tennis court, pool, built-in grilling area, and greenhouse are set up beautifully for a visionary to bring back to its former glory and why Oak Meadows once held the title of Showplace of the Delta. If you enjoy hosting, the layout sets up very well for both a formal event or casual cookout!

Recreational opportunities are available both on premise and in town. In years past, the Oak Meadow owners planted sunflowers along the north and west property lines, which proved to be a very productive dove field. If you enjoy a round of golf or waterfowl/upland game experiences, Tin House Golf Club and the Field Club in Wilson offer several options to choose from and are just minutes from the estate.

HISTORY

Jim Crain of the Crain Company built the home in the late 1930s and was once known as the Showplace of the Delta. Jim became a managing trustee of Lee & Wilson Co., which he held for 17 years. He was a pioneer and agricultural industrialization, as well as implementing levee and drainage systems to remove water from the farm ground so crops could be grown. Moreover, he was integral in helping with the refinancing of the Mississippi County drainage districts. Mr. Crain retired from Lee & Wilson company after 38 years. During that time, he also served as the Chairman of the State Highway Commission, Chairman of the Wilson School District, trustee of the Methodist Hospital in Memphis, and organized the first cooperative industry in Arkansas, the Delta Products Company.