Bragg–Mitchell Mansion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bragg–Mitchell House
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The Bragg–Mitchell House
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 Location in Mobile, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1906 Springhill Avenue Mobile, Alabama |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1855 |
| Architect | Alexander J. Bragg |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, with Italianate influences |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000168 |
| Added to NRHP | September 27, 1972 |
The Bragg–Mitchell House is a beautiful old mansion in Mobile, Alabama. It was built a long time ago in 1855. A man named Judge John Bragg had it built. Today, it's a historic house museum, which means it's a special old house that people can visit to learn about history. Many people love to take pictures of it, and it's a popular place for tourists.
A Look Back in Time
John Bragg was born in Warrenton, North Carolina. He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and studied law. In 1836, he moved to Mobile and became a lawyer. Later, he became a judge. He even served in the 32nd United States Congress, which is like being a representative for his state in the government. In 1855, he bought the land for the house and started building this amazing mansion.
During the American Civil War, some interesting things happened at the mansion. First, all the live oak trees on the property were cut down. This was done to help the Confederate soldiers defending Mobile. They needed a clear view to shoot at any approaching Union troops.
Second, all the furniture was moved from the mansion to John Bragg's plantation in Lowndes County. Sadly, that plantation and all the furniture were later burned by soldiers. This happened even though Mobile itself was never a major battleground. John Bragg passed away in Mobile in 1878 and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
The house stayed in the Bragg family until 1880. Then, William H. Pratt bought it. John's brother, General Braxton Bragg, was a frequent guest at the house. He even lived there for a short time after the Civil War. He was supervising the building of jetties at the mouth of Mobile Bay then. The property was owned by a few different families before A.S. Mitchell bought it in 1924.
What the House Looks Like
The Bragg–Mitchell House has two stories. It is built in a style called Greek Revival. This style often features tall, slender columns. The house has these columns around a three-sided porch, which is called a veranda.
The house also has some Italianate influences. You can see this in the decorative brackets under the roof's edge. This mix of styles is sometimes called "bracketed Greek Revival." Inside, the house has fourteen rooms, and seven of these are bedrooms. The ceilings on the first floor are very tall, about 15 feet high!
