Old Town Historic District (Huntsville, Alabama) facts for kids
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Old Town Historic District
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700 block of Holmes Avenue
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | Huntsville, Alabama |
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| Area | 94 acres (38 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Victorian, Colonial/Greek Revival, Arts and Crafts, Federal, Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000499 (original) 15000069 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1978 |
| Boundary increase | March 17, 2015 |
The Old Town Historic District is a special area in Huntsville, Alabama. It was the second neighborhood in Huntsville to be recognized for its history. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 18, 1978. This means it's a place the United States government thinks is important to protect because of its history.
The district is found near Dement and Lincoln Streets, and Randolph and Walker Avenues. It's famous for its many old homes. These houses show off different building styles. You can see Victorian, Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne, American Craftsman, and even Prairie School designs. Some of these homes were built as far back as the late 1820s!
How Old Town Became a Historic Place
The idea for the Old Town Historic District started in 1973. A local architect named Harvie Jones had a great idea. He suggested to homeowners Charles E. and Frances J. Rice that they create a new historic district. This new district would include many old 19th-century homes. These homes were not part of the nearby Twickenham Historic District.
The Rices' Hard Work
The Rice family loved the idea of protecting these old houses. They started working hard to make it happen. They gathered many signatures and documents. This was needed to get the area recognized as a historic district. First, they worked for local recognition. Then, they aimed for state and finally national approval.
Many important people helped the Rices. These included Joe W. Davis, who was the mayor of Huntsville at the time. Madison County Commissioner Tilman Hill also offered support. Even Alabama U.S. Senator John Sparkman helped them.
Honoring Their Efforts
Because of their amazing work, the Rices were honored. The Alabama Historical Commission recognized them for helping to save history. In 2009, a small park in the Old Town area was named after them. This was a way to remember their important contributions.
