J. L. M. Curry House facts for kids
The J. L. M. Curry House is a special old house and farm near Talladega, Alabama. It was once the home of Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry (1825-1903). He was a very important person who worked as a lawyer, a politician, and an educator. He helped make public schools better and started schools to train teachers across the Southern United States. Because of his important work, this house and the land around it were named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. This means it's a place of great historical importance to the whole country.
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J. L. M. Curry House
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The J. L. M. Curry House near Talladega.
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | Talladega, Alabama |
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| Area | 760.5 acres (307.8 ha) |
| Built | c. 1850 |
| Built by | Jackson Curry |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000154 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
About the Curry House
Where is the House?
The J.L.M. Curry House is about 3 miles (5 km) east of Talladega. It is located right next to Alabama State Route 21. It's a single-story house made of wood. The house has a T-shape, with parts extending out to the sides and back. The front of the house has a wide porch. A low wall on top of the porch hides the roof. Inside, the house is simple. One room was J.L.M. Curry's office, and it has bookshelves all around.
A Home for a Leader
We don't know the exact year the house was built. It was moved to this spot around 1850. Jabez Curry bought it from his brother, Jackson, who likely built it. The farm was about 1,100 acres (445 ha) at that time. Today, it is about 760 acres (308 ha). This farm was Curry's home until 1865.
Jabez Curry was born in Georgia. He studied law at Harvard Law School. Before the American Civil War, he worked in the state legislature and in Congress. During the war, he served in the Confederate States Army.
Helping Southern Education
After the war, Curry became very important for education in the South. In 1881, he became an agent for the Peabody Education Fund. Then, in 1889, he also became an agent for the Slater Fund. These were special funds created to help improve schools in the Southern states after the Civil War.
As an agent for these funds, Curry did a lot of good work. He helped set up normal schools. These were schools specifically for training teachers. He also helped create new school systems all across the South. His efforts made a big difference in making education available to more people.
Today, the former Curry property is still privately owned.
