When driving on Highway 90 through Marianna, it’s hard not to notice the historic Russ House.

An 1800’s antebellum style structure that’s been home to the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce for the past 18 years and the Visitor’s Center for more than a decade.

“The beauty itself and the iconic image of this beautiful is just outstanding,” said Pam Fuqua.

The Tourist Development Council Director Pam Fuqua says some will travel just to tour it, while others come to see if it is indeed haunted like legend has it. 

“Mr. Russ was a self-made man, ” said Fuqua. “He was very wealthy and unfortunately he lost it all in the stock market crash in 1929, so in 1930, he committed suicide upstairs. So the story goes.”

The 1895 home has seen renovations and changes through the years…the most recent one hard to miss.

“The sign went on there Monday and we have had some calls since then,” said Interim Chamber President and CEO, Jeff Massey. 

The historic Russ House is now multi-listed for commercial sale.

“As you know, old beautiful houses, like this, takes a lot of upkeep, takes a lot of money, so you know we kind of determined as a chamber, it was too much for us to handle,” said Massey.

For almost a year, the chamber has been looking at different ownership and occupancy plans with different local entities, including the TDC.

“We went to the county and it didn’t work for them at the time, so we felt like we had to put it up for sale,” said Massey.

But Massey says offering the property to outside investors, it’s not ideal, any they are looking at other options. They hope to be able to go before the county commission again and work something out.

The listing price of the Russ House along with the property behind it known as the brown house, along with the nearby parking lot is $650,000.