The son of a Revolutionary War soldier, James Drane moved to Choctaw County in 1837 at the age of 28.  One of the earliest settlers of the county, he served as a state representative, senator, and as president of the Mississippi State Senate from 1851 to 1865.

In 1846 he began construction of this house, using a post and beam construction.  The foundation and framing are secured with wooden pegs and the ceiling with forged iron nails, located on the second, connected by an inside stairway and a curving, outside stairway.  The fireplaces in the two front rooms have matching heart pine mantels.  Restored in colors of the Civil War era, the house is furnished with antiques donated by friends of French Camp Academy.