National Register of Historic Places listings in Barbour County, Alabama facts for kids
Welcome to Barbour County, Alabama! This area is home to many amazing old buildings and places that are super important to history. These special spots are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a national list of treasures that we want to protect and remember for future generations.
There are 19 places in Barbour County that have made it onto this important list. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which means it's extra special and important to the history of the whole United States! Let's explore some of these cool historic sites.
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What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service in the United States. When a building, site, or district is added to this list, it means it has a special story to tell about American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on the Register helps protect these places and often makes them eligible for special grants or tax benefits to help keep them in good shape.
Historic Homes and Mansions
Barbour County has many beautiful old homes that are part of the National Register. These houses often show us how people lived long ago and the different styles of architecture they used.
Grand Mansions and Unique Houses
- Bray-Barron House in Eufaula: This historic home is located on N. Eufaula Avenue. It was added to the Register in 1971.
- Cato House in Eufaula: Found at 823 W. Barbour Street, this house also joined the list in 1971.
- Drewry-Mitchell-Moorer House in Eufaula: Another beautiful home on N. Eufaula Avenue, listed in 1972.
- Fendall Hall in Eufaula: Located on Barbour Street, this house became a historic place in 1970.
- Kendall Manor in Eufaula: This grand home at 534 W. Broad Street was listed in 1972. Today, it's also known as Kendall Manor Bed and Breakfast, where people can stay and experience history!
- Kiels-McNab House in Eufaula: This house on W. Washington Street was added to the Register in 1982.
- Shorter Mansion in Eufaula: A very impressive building at 340 N. Eufaula Avenue, listed in 1972.
- Sheppard Cottage in Eufaula: Built way back in 1837, this cottage at 504 E. Barbour Street is the oldest known home in Eufaula! It still has its original wood fireplaces, mantels, and oak floors. It was listed in 1971.
- Wellborn in Eufaula: Also known as the Dr. Levi Thomas House, this amazing Greek Revival mansion was built in 1839. It was one of the first of its kind in the area and was moved to its current spot at 630 East Broad Street. It still looks much like it did originally and is now used as business offices. It was listed in 1971.
Homes of Important People
- Henry D. Clayton House in Clayton: This house, built around 1850, is a National Historic Landmark. It was the home of two very important people:
* Henry D. Clayton, Sr.: A general during the American Civil War and a former president of the University of Alabama. * Henry De Lamar Clayton, Jr.: His son, who became a legislator (someone who makes laws) and a judge. He also wrote the famous Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which was a law designed to prevent businesses from becoming too powerful and unfair. This house was listed in 1976.
- Governor Chauncy Sparks House in Eufaula: Located at 257 West Broad Street, this house was the home of Chauncey Sparks, who was the 44th Governor of Alabama. It was listed in 1972.
Unique Architectural Styles
- Miller-Martin Town House in Clayton: Built in 1859 by John H. Miller, this house on Louisville Avenue is special because it's a Gothic Revival style townhouse. It has amazing hand-painted murals on the entrance hall ceiling that show the four seasons, plus other cool designs in the parlor and dining hall. It was listed in 1974.
- Petty-Roberts-Beatty House in Clayton: This house at 103 N. Midway is super unique because it's an Octagon house! It was built in 1861 by Benjamin Franklin Petty. It's one of only two octagonal houses built in Alabama before the Civil War (a time called the Antebellum period), and it's the only one that is still standing today. It was listed in 1974.
Other Historic Buildings and Districts
Not all historic places are single homes. Some are entire areas with many old buildings, or they are buildings that served important community purposes.
- Seth Lore and Irwinton Historic District in Eufaula: This is a large area, or district, that includes many historic buildings. It's bounded by Eufaula Avenue and Browder, Livingston, and Barbour Streets. A historic district means that a whole neighborhood or part of a town is important for its history and architecture. This district was first listed in 1973, and then expanded in 1986.
- McNab Bank Building in Eufaula: Located at 201 East Broad Street, this building dates back to the 1850s and is one of the oldest bank buildings in Alabama! It was listed in 1971 and is now known as The Lewis Agency.
- Grace Episcopal Church in Clayton: This church on Louisville Street, south of Courthouse Square, was listed in 1995. Churches are often important historic sites because they have been central to communities for a long time.
- Spring Hill Methodist Church in Spring Hill: This beautiful Greek Revival church was built in 1841 by John Fletcher Comer. It's located on the southern side of County Road 89. It was listed in 1996.
- The Tavern in Eufaula: Found at 105 Riverside Drive, The Tavern was originally built in the 1830s and is Eufaula's oldest wooden building. Over the years, it has been used for many things: an Episcopal Church, a hospital during the Civil War, and an inn where travelers along the Chattahoochee River would stay. It was listed in 1970.
- Woodlane Plantation in Eufaula: This historic plantation, located on State Route 431, was added to the National Register in 2006.
