Anna Louise Fitz Benjamin known as Annie was born in South Hampton, New Hampshire on April 21, 1848. She was the daughter of Captain Andrew J. and Eliza Pillsbury Fitz (Fitts). Anna Louise Fitz married David M. Benjamin (1834-1892) in June 1869. The Benjamins had a son, Frederick Washburn Benjamin (1879- 1945), and a daughter, Catherine Chase Benjamin (1889-1958). (History of Milwaukee, 1895,Vol. II, p. 367) 

(l-r) Anna L. Benjamin (1848-1938) and friend at Ocean Springs (circa 1915)

Milwaukee
At Milwaukee circa 1890, David M. Benjamin built a medieval Rhenish castle at 1570 North Prospect Avenue on Lake Michigan. It became known as the "Benjamin Castle". The first floor comprised the library, dining room, sunroom, and three parlors. Seven bedroom suites were located on the second floor while the ballroom, music room, and billiard room were positioned on the third floor. The Benjamin art collection was considered by connoisseurs as one of the finest in the Midwest. It included paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Teniers, Nattier, Lely, and Romney.(The Milwaukee Sentinel, March 8, 1938) 

Shore Acres-Ocean Springs 
Nearly a decade after the death of David M. Benjamin in 1892, Annie L. Benjamin now in her mid-fifties discovered Ocean Springs in the early years of the 20th Century. She began buying land in April 1902, when she purchased the former twelve-acre estate of Parker Earle (1831-1917), called, "Bay View", from Sarah Deuel Cooke (1839-1904), the great grandmother of Agnes Grinstead Anderson (1909-1991). It appears that Mrs. Cooke and her daughter, Agnes Cooke Hellmuth Earle (1862-1919), changed the name to “Shore Acres”.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 24, p. 319) 

In May 1902, while at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, her permanent home, Mrs. Benjamin described “Shore Acres” her new acquisition at Ocean Springs as follows:

My new home is a typical southern residence, roomy and picturesque, and one story high, with family rooms, reception rooms and bedrooms in the front, and the kitchen, dining room and servants quarters detached form the main building and connected by a covered gallery. On the grounds is a large stable, and down at the water’s edge is a pier, with bath and boathouses. The grounds, which front on the water of the sound, are eight acres in extent. Part of the grounds at one time cultivated in oranges, but frosts have destroyed the trees.* The grounds about the house are covered with grand old oaks, fragrant pines and gum trees and beautiful magnolias. 

“Shore Acres” has been the home for many years of Mrs. Helmuth (sic) Earle, and sold by her to Mrs. Benjamin. Mrs. Benjamin has one of the costliest homes in the city, but like other Milwaukeeans, spends the winter south to escape the severity of the cold season. Mrs. Benjamin was more pleased with Ocean Springs than any other place she has visited, although she had not intended purchasing a winter home, decided that in view of the many attractions of climate and scenery she would buy “Shore Acres,” where she and her family could spend each winter. (The Biloxi Herald, May 2, 1902, p. 1)

*On February 13, 1899, the mercury fell to one degree Fahrenheit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

In the midst of this magnolia, oak, palm, and pine shaded peninsula surrounded by over one and one-half miles of shoreline and marsh of the Back Bay of Biloxi and Fort Bayou, Annie Benjamin created a park and garden atmosphere. Over one mile of Schillinger paved driveways were built through the naturally landscaped manor, which is believed to have included a miniature railroad. A bird sanctuary was located in a forested area near the main gate. Many people considered Shore Acres the finest estate on the Gulf Coast. 

Mrs. Benjamin was not a permanent resident of Ocean Springs. She usually arrived from Milwaukee in the fall and "wintered" here usually journeying north in the late Spring. Her interest in the community was genuine and philanthropic. Annie Benjamin was a vocal opponent of the Ocean Springs Packing Company, which built a shrimp cannery south of the L&N Railroad bridge in 1915. Her feelings were that the factory would be a menace to the beauty and purity of the town. (The Ocean Springs News, January 14, 1915, p. 1, and p. 5)

After the Great Fire of November 1916, destroyed the Hall of the Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on Washington Avenue, Mrs. Benjamin donated $500 for the erection of a new fire hall in March 1917, This new building is our current Senior Citizens Building just north of the Community Center.(The Jackson County Times, March 17, 1917, p. 5) 

Schillinger walks and roads 
The original Schillinger walkways and drives on the Benjamin Estate were replaced by Calongne Brothers in the summer of 1915. The Schillinger was not effective and had to be removed. B.F. Joachim Jr. (1882-1970) was awarded the gravel hauling contract, which required approximately forty carloads.(The Ocean Springs News, June 3, 1915, p. 1)

The Calongne Brothers, Sidney E. Calongne (b. 1883), Wilford F. Calongne (1885-1967), and Ashely Calongne (1890-1953), were born at New Orleans, the sons of Sidney Auguste Calongne (1855-1911)and Sally A. Forschee (1853-1942). The Calongne family built a home in the fall of 1909 at present day 204 Washington Avenue. It was called, Hillside, and cost $3000. The contractors were Wieder & Friar. Hillside burned in the 1930s, and was rebuilt.(The Ocean Springs News, November 27, 1909, p. 1 and W.F. “Bill” Calongne Jr., April 1997)

More land
Annie Benjamin continued to purchase the surrounding lands until 1917 by which time she had consolidated the holdings of Christian Hanson (1845-1914) called "Breezy Point", Charles Tracy Earle (1861-1901), and May Staples Poitevent (1847-1932) known as "Spanish Camp" to form her "Shore Acres". This seventy-acre estate became known as "Benjamin Point" to the locals.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 28, p. 440, Bk. 29, p. 566, and Bk. 43, p. 433). 

Domestic staff
At Shore Acres, Annie Benjamin employed a domestic staff. In the early years, Marguerite Boes (b. 1889) was her maid, Randolph Douglas (b. 1896) the gardener, and Epsham Cobb, the chauffeur. In later years Adolph Wieder (1879-1931) was the estate caretaker. His tenure was followed by Ed Sterken (1893-1979) as caretaker with Percy Goldsmith (1919-1991) working as the gardener and grounds keeper. 

Demise
After an extended illness, Annie L. Benjamin died at Milwaukee in March 1938. She left an estate valued at $2,235,464 primarily to her son and daughter. At Ocean Springs, recipients of her legacy were Edward J. Sterken and Agnes M. Bourg (1874-1955) who received $500 and $400 respectively.(Wisconsin Necrology, Vol. 39, pp. 228-230)

Frederick W. Benjamin
Annie Benjamin's bachelor son, Frederick Washburn Benjamin (1879-1945), often accompanied her to Ocean Springs. His interests lie in boats, automobiles, and trains. In June 1903, Mr. Benjamin launched his fifty-foot, George L. Friar (1869-1924) built, yacht, Alexandra. Will Ryan, Friar, and Benjamin sailed the vessel up the Mississippi River to Milwaukee in July 1903. 

Circa 1914, Fred W. Benjamin designed and had built a new yacht, called Nevermind. It was seventy-five feet in length with a fourteen-foot beam. The Benjamin watercraft was powered by a seventy-five hp Wolverine engine, which could propel the vessel at least twelve miles per hour. The boat had cypress ribs and planks attached to a solid pine keel. Amenities included electric lights, eight berths, and convenient sanitary facilities. The Benjamin yacht was repaired at Brander's Shipyard in Biloxi while on the Mississippi coast.(Ocean Springs 1915, p. 35 and The Daily Herald, September 13, 1916, p. 1) 

Fred W. Benjamin was one of the first to own an automobile at Ocean Springs. He and Colonel Newcomb Clark (1836-1913) eagerly awaited their new vehicles in October 1906. There is some question as to whether Orey Young (1868-1938) or Dr. Henry Bradford Powell (1867-1949), both Canadians, owned the first auto (an Oldsmobile) at Ocean Springs, which is reputed to have arrived here in 1905. In late February 1915, Fred W. Benjamin took his new yacht, Nevermind, on a duck-hunting outing to Horn Island. Local gentlemen George Friar, George Dale, T.J. Ames, and E.S. Davis were aboard. The hunters brought down seventy-five ducks and poule d’eau.(The Ocean Springs News, March 4, 1915, p. 1) 

After his mother died in 1938, Fred W. Benjamin lived alone in his lakeshore castle at Milwaukee. There in solitude Benjamin spent the remainder of his life in his Medieval castle content to read the books in his library, watch the moods of Lake Michigan, carve wooden locomotives, and take care of his black cat. He quitclaim his interest in Shore Acres to the Lindsays in 1940. Fred W. Benjamin died alone in his "Castle by the Lake" about 1945.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 74, pp. 44-46). 

After the demise of Fred W. Benjamin in 1945, the Benjamin Castle on Lake Michigan was vended to the Shore View Homes. It was utilized as a housing complex for senior citizens. In 1964, the former opulent structure was razed to erect a high rise apartment building.(Knippel, 1984, p. 75) 

Walter S. Lindsay
Mrs. Benjamin’s daughter, Catherine Chase Benjamin (1889-1958), was married briefly in 1910 to a New Yorker, Marion McClellan (b. 1885). In 1917, she married Walter S. Lindsay (1888-1975), a Scotsman, who came to Milwaukee in 1911. The Lindsays had three children: Alexander Duncan Lindsay (1918-1962), Lorna L. Mayer (1919-2002), and Donald Benjamin Lindsay (1924-1984). Mr. Lindsay founded the Lindsay-McMillan Oil Company, a business that he vended to Cities Service in 1931. Lindsay served on the board of directors of Briggs & Stratton, and the financial committee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.( The Milwaukee Journal, March 28, 1975) 

New Shore Acres
In September 1923, the Lindsays bought and refurbished a Colonial Revival home at 305 Lovers Lane adjacent to the Benjamin manor. They purchased it from the Adeline A. Staples (1829-1902) Estate. (JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 53, pp. 340-342) 

Unlike Mrs. Benjamin, the Lindsays would often summer here with their children enjoying water sports and fishing. Mary Choyce Rouse (1895-1952) from Vancleave was the governess for the Lindsay children while they were at Ocean Springs. Miss Rouse later married Philip J. Weider (1887-1985).(Dixie Ann W. Gautier, May 1993) 

In December 1958, while on one of their Southern sojourns, Catherine Lindsay died at Ocean Springs. Walter Lindsay married Lorraine K. Bauer (1885-1993) in 1960. J.K. Lemon purchased the Lindsay home at Lovers Lane in 1971. After the Benjamin estate was dismantled in the late 1940s, Walter Lindsay began calling his place "Shore Acres". The Lemons have retained this name for their homestead.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 417, p. 87 and J.K. Lemon, June 1993) Walter S. Lindsay died at his home in Palm Springs, California in 1975. He also owned a residence at River Hills near Milwaukee. The Lindsay estate was valued at over $11,000,000.(The Milwaukee Sentinel, January 17, 1976)

For years after her death, the opulent Benjamin Estate was maintained by Ed Sturchen and his crew. It is believed that after the 1947 Hurricane, the Benjamin house was demolished. Some of the wooden materials may have been used to build the Phil Weider service station at 1019 Government Street (now B&H Auto Service). Walter Lindsay sold the remaining Benjamin land on the Fort Point peninsula to E.M. Galloway in 1963. Galloway with local entrepreneurs developed the Seapointe Subdivision which exists here today.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 245, p. 20) 

All that remains currently of that opulent showcase at Fort Point, the Benjamin Estate, are the memories of older citizens, old postcards, and a few photographs. On the former grounds, the seemly indestructible remaining Calongne drives are still utilized by a few residence of the Seapointe Subdivision.

REFERENCES:

Books
Howard Louis Conrad, History of Milwaukee County From Its Settlement to the Year 1895, Volume II, (American Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago and New York). John A. Gregory, History of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Volume III, 1931. 

Joyce L. Knippel, “Redefining Progress: A History of Historic Preservation in Milwaukee, 1964-1984, (The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: 1984). 

Mississippi Gulf Coast Yesterday & Today (1699-1939), (Federal Writers Project in Mississippi Works Progress Administration: Gulfport-1939), p. 92. 

Ocean Springs 1915
Wisconsin Necrology, “Annie Louise Benjamin, Once a Reigning Beauty of Midwest, Dead at 89; Fortune Goes to Children”, Vol. 39. 

Chancery Court Causes
Jackson County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 6007, “Last Will and Testament of Anna Louise Benjamin”-August 1938.

Journals
The Biloxi Daily Herald, Southern Home”, May 2, 1902.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Shipyards are being pushed”, September 13, 1916, p. 1.
The Jackson County Times, “Local News Interests”, March 17, 1917.
The Jackson County Times, “Local and Personal”, March 9, 1935.
The Milwaukee Journal, "Mrs. Benjamin Is Dead at 89", March 7, 1938.
The Milwaukee Journal, "River Hills Pioneer Dies at 87", March 28, 1975.
The Milwaukee Sentinel, "Castle Broods Silently As Mistress Is Taken", March 8, 1938.
The Milwaukee Sentinel, "W.S. Lindsay Dies; River Hills Founder", March 28, 1975.The Milwaukee Sentinel, "Walter Lindsay Estate Listed At $11,314,004", January 17, 1976.
The Ocean Springs News, "Proposed Shrimp Cannery Meets Unexpected Opposition", January 14, 1915, p. 1, and p. 5.
The Ocean Springs News, “Local Nimrods Have Good Hunt”, March 4, 1915.
The Ocean Springs News, “Alex Lindsay”, February 15, 1962.
The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, October 17, 1902.
The Pascagoula Democratic-Star, October 26, 1906, p. 2.