The Carroll House is built on land which was originally part of a Spanish Land Grant. It is listed in old records as being a part of the Santiago Del Rio riquet.
The house has had quite a colorful history, having once been a saloon. It is known that at least one man, and some say three men were killed here in a saloon brawl. Evidence of the shootout can still be seen by the bullet holes in the walls. Following its saloon days, the building is said to have housed a general store.
In 1882, C. H. Walters, father of Mrs. Mamie Carroll, bought the place from a Mr. Watkins. Mr. Walters came to Sicily Island from Jefferson County, Mississippi. He and his wife had two children: a son, who died at an early age, and a daughter, Mamie, who was to become Mrs. Alec Carroll.
A few years after the Carrolls were married, they came to make their home with her parents. At the death of her parents, Mamie inherited the house and land. According to those who knew Mrs. Mamie, she was asked by her parents to never sell the place, as they wanted to make sure she would always have a home.
The Carrolls shared their home for many years with a friend, Miss Sallie Aaron, who in her declining years was a complete invalid for some fifteen years. They also gave Oscar Bedford a home for many, many years until his death in the forties. Oscar had lived on with Mrs. Carroll after Mr. Carroll's death to help take care of her, but she outlived him. She then gave Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mason a home next door so they could help look after her. At her death, the place was willed to Tom and his wife. When Tom died, his half was divided among his family. Mrs. Mason sold her half which included the house to Clarence Martin and today his father, Johnnie Lee Martin resides there.
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