403 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street holds deep historical significance through its ties to two influential Black families in Natchez: the Maziques and the Wests.

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The Mazique family became one of the largest Black landowning families in Adams County.

In 1919, Alexander Mazique Jr. purchased the home to ensure his children had greater access to education. ​Education was a cornerstone of the Mazique legacy, with many descendants becoming doctors, teachers, and respected community leaders.

 

The home itself, built in the mid-1800s by Irish carpenter Edward Byrne in the Greek Revival style, remained in the Byrne family until its sale to the Maziques. 

 

In 1966, George F. and Artimese West purchased the home, just steps away from their business, West Funeral Home. The Wests, like the Maziques, were dedicated to education and public service. George F. West was a prominent figure in the local Civil Rights Movement and became the first African American elected to the Natchez Board of Aldermen since Reconstruction. His wife, Artimese, later became the city’s first African American woman to hold an alderman position. Their legacy of service continued through their children, including Theodore West, who lived in the home for many years and also served in local government. 

 

After the closure of West Funeral Home in 2008, George and Artimese’s son, James T. West, and his wife Sharon, revived the family’s tradition of service by opening West Gate Funeral Home in 2013. In 2023, they purchased the historic home next door and began its restoration.
 

The space now serves the community as a warm, welcoming environment for many families.

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​This home stands as a lasting symbol of resilience, progress, and service to the Natchez community.

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