Rooster Day
The Canebrake, a historical region of ,west-central Alabama’s Black Belt, was once dominated by thickets of Arundinaria, a type of bamboo, or cane, native to North America. Centered at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Black Warrior rivers, the Canebrake extended eastward to include large parts of Hale, Marengo, and Perry counties, also including portions of Greene and Sumter counties.
Naturalist William Bartram, during his travels along the Tombigbee River in 1775, described cane that was “thick as a man’s arm, or three or four inches in diameter; I suppose one joint of some of them would contain above a quart of water.”
Naturalist William Bartram, during his travels along the Tombigbee River in 1775, described cane that was “thick as a man’s arm, or three or four inches in diameter; I suppose one joint of some of them would contain above a quart of water.”
MARENGO COUNTY
Marengo County was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818, from land acquired from the Choctaw Indians by the Treaty of Fort St. Stephens of October 24, 1816. The name of the county was Suggested by Judge Abner Lipscombe, the name Marengo was in honor of the first white settlers, expatriated French citizens, in commemoration of Napoleon's great victory over the Austrian armies in 1800 at Marengo.
Originally known as "Town of Marengo," the name of the county seat was was changed in 1823 to Linden, a shortened version of "Hohenlinden," another 1800 French victory in Bavaria. Demopolis, the largest town in Marengo, was first settled by the French as the Vine and Olive Colony. The name Demopolis is Greek, meaning the people's city.
Originally known as "Town of Marengo," the name of the county seat was was changed in 1823 to Linden, a shortened version of "Hohenlinden," another 1800 French victory in Bavaria. Demopolis, the largest town in Marengo, was first settled by the French as the Vine and Olive Colony. The name Demopolis is Greek, meaning the people's city.
ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH c. 1853
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Andrew's Church, in Prairieville, Alabama, is a small Carpenter Gothic-style church built in 1853 by the slaves of Henry Augustine Tayloe of Gallion, Alabama, who served as Secretary of the Alabama Diocesan Episcopal Convention. He was appointed to canvass the State to build up a Bishop's Fund. The exterior of the church features wooden buttresses. It appears to have been built from a design in the book Rural Architecture by architect Richard Upjohn.
The interior of the church is notable for its beautiful woodwork – symbols and figures on the altar rail and in the chancel were hand carved. Peter Lee and Joe Glasgow, slaves of Tayloe, are credited with the fine wood carving. It is widely believed that the interior walls were stained with a mixture brewed from tobacco leaves. The interior is virtually unaltered, including original altar rail and chancel furnishings, pews, organ, and stained glass.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, also known as St. Andrew's Church, in Prairieville, Alabama, is a small Carpenter Gothic-style church built in 1853 by the slaves of Henry Augustine Tayloe of Gallion, Alabama, who served as Secretary of the Alabama Diocesan Episcopal Convention. He was appointed to canvass the State to build up a Bishop's Fund. The exterior of the church features wooden buttresses. It appears to have been built from a design in the book Rural Architecture by architect Richard Upjohn.
The interior of the church is notable for its beautiful woodwork – symbols and figures on the altar rail and in the chancel were hand carved. Peter Lee and Joe Glasgow, slaves of Tayloe, are credited with the fine wood carving. It is widely believed that the interior walls were stained with a mixture brewed from tobacco leaves. The interior is virtually unaltered, including original altar rail and chancel furnishings, pews, organ, and stained glass.
COLLINS - COWART 1968
The property was originally owned by the Hatch Family. After the original house burned, Van Collins purchased the property and built the current house in 1968. The Cowart family purchased the house and land in 1973.
Upon moving in, the Cowart's enclosed the porch off the den and paneled the walls with Cypress found from other buildings on the property. They also added the stained glass windows in the home which came out of a church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Another unique item added is the bell in the front of the house. Made by Jones and Company out of Troy, New York in 1858, the bell was a gift to the Cowarts by the Jim Crawford family.
The property was originally owned by the Hatch Family. After the original house burned, Van Collins purchased the property and built the current house in 1968. The Cowart family purchased the house and land in 1973.
Upon moving in, the Cowart's enclosed the porch off the den and paneled the walls with Cypress found from other buildings on the property. They also added the stained glass windows in the home which came out of a church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Another unique item added is the bell in the front of the house. Made by Jones and Company out of Troy, New York in 1858, the bell was a gift to the Cowarts by the Jim Crawford family.
THOMPSON-PROWELL-POOLE c. 1848
The home was built between 1847 and 1850 by John Catlin, Alabama’s first millionaire, for his ward Sarah Altona Terrell, who married William Cade Thompson on Aug. 18, 1847. The couple had three children during the next seven years. William died on May 25 1854 at the age of 28. All three children died soon after William. Sarah died just two years later at the age of 25. Their lovely markers are in the Dayton cemetery. There is also a marker in the Dayton church honoring them.
In 1860 Fannie Rembert, Sarah’s sister sold the home to J.L. and W.G. Browning, planters. In 1882, Thomas Sterling Watlington and his wife, Fannie, bought the home. Tom was born in 1843 in a small house on this same spot. In a way, he had returned to his birthplace. The couple had three children but like the Thompsons, the couple died young leaving the children in the home with Fannie’s brother, Dr. Henry Morgan. This is where the ghost comes into the picture! Dr. Morgan took his life in the upstairs bedroom but he comes back to visit every now and then. (In later years, the Pooles noticed that babysitters were not too keen on this idea!!)
Next David and “Miss. Mattie” Prowell bought the home in 1898. She was known by all—young and old. She taught music lessons, directed plays, recitals, and the Methodist Church Choir. She loved to have weddings, dances, barbecues, and parties. She was known county- wide for her lavish dinners. They even went so far as to build a smooth extension of the back porch for dancing. Sportsmen from Philadelphia and New York were often invited to hunt quail. Miss. Mattie always ended the week with an unforgettable “bird supper”.
David died in 1917 and Mattie in 1959. The house was then sold to Sara Billings in 1959, Louise Crocker in 1968, and Major Francis Bonning in 1972. The Pooles bought the home in December, 1978. The Pooles have four children who learned to “love old things” in this country home.
The home was built between 1847 and 1850 by John Catlin, Alabama’s first millionaire, for his ward Sarah Altona Terrell, who married William Cade Thompson on Aug. 18, 1847. The couple had three children during the next seven years. William died on May 25 1854 at the age of 28. All three children died soon after William. Sarah died just two years later at the age of 25. Their lovely markers are in the Dayton cemetery. There is also a marker in the Dayton church honoring them.
In 1860 Fannie Rembert, Sarah’s sister sold the home to J.L. and W.G. Browning, planters. In 1882, Thomas Sterling Watlington and his wife, Fannie, bought the home. Tom was born in 1843 in a small house on this same spot. In a way, he had returned to his birthplace. The couple had three children but like the Thompsons, the couple died young leaving the children in the home with Fannie’s brother, Dr. Henry Morgan. This is where the ghost comes into the picture! Dr. Morgan took his life in the upstairs bedroom but he comes back to visit every now and then. (In later years, the Pooles noticed that babysitters were not too keen on this idea!!)
Next David and “Miss. Mattie” Prowell bought the home in 1898. She was known by all—young and old. She taught music lessons, directed plays, recitals, and the Methodist Church Choir. She loved to have weddings, dances, barbecues, and parties. She was known county- wide for her lavish dinners. They even went so far as to build a smooth extension of the back porch for dancing. Sportsmen from Philadelphia and New York were often invited to hunt quail. Miss. Mattie always ended the week with an unforgettable “bird supper”.
David died in 1917 and Mattie in 1959. The house was then sold to Sara Billings in 1959, Louise Crocker in 1968, and Major Francis Bonning in 1972. The Pooles bought the home in December, 1978. The Pooles have four children who learned to “love old things” in this country home.
VALLEY VIEW FARM c. 1950
The Holmes-Glass home was built in 1955 by the present owner's parents Katharine and A.D. Holmes. Architect Morris Hall from Atlanta designed the home. Used to commercial and residential properties in Atlanta, this is the first country home he had ever designed. The majority of the house is made up of a mixture of poplar, gum, cypress and pine wood, much cut from family property. Present owner Mary Elizabeth Holmes Glass and her husband Bill moved into the house in 1985 after the deaths of her parents. Minor remodeling was done at the time, including enclosing the garage to become a family room and adding the pool. In 2017, the house underwent a major remodel to become handicap accessible.
The Holmes-Glass home was built in 1955 by the present owner's parents Katharine and A.D. Holmes. Architect Morris Hall from Atlanta designed the home. Used to commercial and residential properties in Atlanta, this is the first country home he had ever designed. The majority of the house is made up of a mixture of poplar, gum, cypress and pine wood, much cut from family property. Present owner Mary Elizabeth Holmes Glass and her husband Bill moved into the house in 1985 after the deaths of her parents. Minor remodeling was done at the time, including enclosing the garage to become a family room and adding the pool. In 2017, the house underwent a major remodel to become handicap accessible.
WALDWIC c. 1840
A fine example of Carpenter Gothic Revival architecture, Waldwic is one of only about twenty Gothic Revival residential structures remaining in Alabama.
The main house was built in 1840 for Robert Gracey and then was expanded and renovated in the Gothic Revival style in 1852. His widow, M. S. Gracey, remarried after Robert's death to Willis Bocock in 1856. The 1860 United States Census of Marengo County indicates that Bocock owned 127 slaves in that year. The Waldwic property was originally within Marengo County, but this portion of Marengo was added to Hale County upon its creation in 1867. Robert Gracey's granddaughter, Bertha Gracey Steele, married at Waldwic in 1889 to William Micajah Spencer. He was a lawyer and was elected to the Alabama Senate in 1901. The house remains in the Spencer family.
A fine example of Carpenter Gothic Revival architecture, Waldwic is one of only about twenty Gothic Revival residential structures remaining in Alabama.
The main house was built in 1840 for Robert Gracey and then was expanded and renovated in the Gothic Revival style in 1852. His widow, M. S. Gracey, remarried after Robert's death to Willis Bocock in 1856. The 1860 United States Census of Marengo County indicates that Bocock owned 127 slaves in that year. The Waldwic property was originally within Marengo County, but this portion of Marengo was added to Hale County upon its creation in 1867. Robert Gracey's granddaughter, Bertha Gracey Steele, married at Waldwic in 1889 to William Micajah Spencer. He was a lawyer and was elected to the Alabama Senate in 1901. The house remains in the Spencer family.
PAKE-LEE-BROOKER c. 1884
This Queen Anne Victorian was originally constructed in 1884 by Mr. & Mrs. H.B. Pake. Mr. Pake was a partner in the very successful Mayer Brothers department store located in the present location of Robertson Banking Company, downtown Demopolis. His wife, Settie Mayer Pake, was sister to Mr. Lewis Mayer, whose family founded Mayer Brothers.
Story has it that in the late 1870’s Mr. Lewis E. Mayer constructed, for his wife, the Queen Anne Victorian residence located at the north end of this 300 block. His sister, Mrs. Settie Mayer Pake, wanted a house of equal significance. After all, the status and money did come from her family, the Mayers, and it was fitting that her sister-in-law have a better home than her. Mr. H.B. Pake set out to satisfy his wife and as a gift constructed the one-story Queen Anne located next door. Mrs. Pake was not satisfied with this home, as it did not match the scale and grandeur of her sister-in-law’s residence. As a result, Mr. Pake had to construct this house, the “sister” house, to appease his wife. The two residences are very similar in nature and exhibit almost identical floor plans, although their exteriors were very different.
In 1908, Mr. & Mr.s H.B. Pake sold the home and adjacent lot to Mary C. Foscue for the sum of $8,000. Mr. & Mrs. Foscue lived in the house until the untimely death of Mr. Foscue, when he was murdred while taking his afternoon walk in the woods along a creek just west of Demopolis. (Hence the naming of Foscue Creek Park). Widow Foscue sold the house and lot to Mr. N.L. Lee in 1917, with a stipulation that Lee would not move into the home until January 1, 1918.
The Lees lived in the house until Mrs. Lee’s death. Mrs. Lee bequeathed the home to her daughter, Mrs. Mary Lane Lee Caldwell, who in turn sold the home to Miss Diane Burdett and her fiancee Mr. Brian Brooker in 1989.
Diane and Brian Brooker have done an extensive restoration and renovation of the house. The original Victorian porch had been remodeled in the late 1920’s to include brick columns and railing indicative of the then popular Craftsman style. Early photographs were used to reproduce the original Victorian porch design. Several unique features in the house that enticed the Brookers to purchase, are its oak parquet and heart pine floors, intricately carved oak mantles, heart pine paneling and wood work, 8’ pocket doors, and interior gingerbread trim. Although many alterations had taken place over the years and the house was being used as two apartments when the Brookers purchased the house, the home’s beautiful features remained in tact and have been lovingly restored. The Brookers have also added a first floor master-suite, laundry room, butler’s pantry/bar, and a second-floor bathroom.
While restoring this house, Diane and Brian purchased the house next door, the one that didn’t satisfy Mrs. Pake, and completely restored it also.
This Queen Anne Victorian was originally constructed in 1884 by Mr. & Mrs. H.B. Pake. Mr. Pake was a partner in the very successful Mayer Brothers department store located in the present location of Robertson Banking Company, downtown Demopolis. His wife, Settie Mayer Pake, was sister to Mr. Lewis Mayer, whose family founded Mayer Brothers.
Story has it that in the late 1870’s Mr. Lewis E. Mayer constructed, for his wife, the Queen Anne Victorian residence located at the north end of this 300 block. His sister, Mrs. Settie Mayer Pake, wanted a house of equal significance. After all, the status and money did come from her family, the Mayers, and it was fitting that her sister-in-law have a better home than her. Mr. H.B. Pake set out to satisfy his wife and as a gift constructed the one-story Queen Anne located next door. Mrs. Pake was not satisfied with this home, as it did not match the scale and grandeur of her sister-in-law’s residence. As a result, Mr. Pake had to construct this house, the “sister” house, to appease his wife. The two residences are very similar in nature and exhibit almost identical floor plans, although their exteriors were very different.
In 1908, Mr. & Mr.s H.B. Pake sold the home and adjacent lot to Mary C. Foscue for the sum of $8,000. Mr. & Mrs. Foscue lived in the house until the untimely death of Mr. Foscue, when he was murdred while taking his afternoon walk in the woods along a creek just west of Demopolis. (Hence the naming of Foscue Creek Park). Widow Foscue sold the house and lot to Mr. N.L. Lee in 1917, with a stipulation that Lee would not move into the home until January 1, 1918.
The Lees lived in the house until Mrs. Lee’s death. Mrs. Lee bequeathed the home to her daughter, Mrs. Mary Lane Lee Caldwell, who in turn sold the home to Miss Diane Burdett and her fiancee Mr. Brian Brooker in 1989.
Diane and Brian Brooker have done an extensive restoration and renovation of the house. The original Victorian porch had been remodeled in the late 1920’s to include brick columns and railing indicative of the then popular Craftsman style. Early photographs were used to reproduce the original Victorian porch design. Several unique features in the house that enticed the Brookers to purchase, are its oak parquet and heart pine floors, intricately carved oak mantles, heart pine paneling and wood work, 8’ pocket doors, and interior gingerbread trim. Although many alterations had taken place over the years and the house was being used as two apartments when the Brookers purchased the house, the home’s beautiful features remained in tact and have been lovingly restored. The Brookers have also added a first floor master-suite, laundry room, butler’s pantry/bar, and a second-floor bathroom.
While restoring this house, Diane and Brian purchased the house next door, the one that didn’t satisfy Mrs. Pake, and completely restored it also.
MAISON MARENGO c. 1890
History
Per information at the Alabama Historic Registry, this property, built in 1890, is attributed to an English developer John Parr for Dr. William Cocke as his doctor’s office and home. During the late 19th and early 20th century, Demopolis experienced an expansion of available transportation and materials in addition to a general economic prosperity. This led to the growth of the city resulting in construction of substantial dwellings. The property was added to the Alabama History Registry in 1997 by Ms. Mary James. At the same time Ms. James also had two properties on Washington Street added as well.
Over the years the house has passed through numerous owners and was renovated in 1935 with the front porch being expanded, the portico added and a back staircase and deck added. This 2-story frame late-Victoria/early Classical Revival building has the main entrance at a 45-degree angle and is approached by a diagonal walkway. A first story porch surrounds the bay. The entrance is through a single-leaf door which originally had an arched transom located over the door. There is a side door off the east side of the porch which was used an entrance to the doctor’s office. Much of the interior appears to be original including wooden window trim, large doors with recessed panels, wood flooring and two mantles, one especially interesting downstairs with unique brick for the top of the mantle.
Current Caretaker
Janis Clayton Cordell came to Demopolis is the mid-1960’s when her father Fred Clayton was sent to be in charge of the construction of Greene County Steam Plant. She was immediately taken by the history and lovely old houses in the downtown area. The first older house she visited in the 1960’s was the Spight-Davis house where she smitten by the beautiful aspects of the historic building.
After many years of visiting with high school friends who get together on a regular basis, she decided to check into the houses available in the Summer of 2017. After looking at several she came across the dilapidated house at 209 South Strawberry. Afraid of the property being condemned and torn down, she decided to check into it.Looking at the pictures online and outside, the property appeared to be what she wanted. Little did she realize what really had to be done! It had been abandoned for almost 10 years and was in foreclosure. She eventually was able to purchase it through on-line auction and closed in November 2017. Then the work really began! It had been turned into 2 separate apartments which needed to be redone to recreate the original interior. New plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing and restoring the beautiful wood flooring, scraping ceilings and woodwork, new porcelain flooring in the kitchen, bathrooms, etc. The yard had not been cleared in many years and trees had to be cut back to protect the house and a large fence installed in the back along the alley. Along the north side of the property, an old fence was salvaged and redone to reflect the period and an arbor was added. New sidewalks and driveway were poured. In order to protect the historic integrity, great pains were taken to use as much of the original house as possible and where things such as the floors repaired, time-period supplied were used. Because the original front transom was destroyed, the original front door now includes a lovely leaded glass insert from an old 1900 house in Forest Park in Birmingham, the heart pine columns are from an old house in the Mobile historic district and the piece over the door is from an old house in Eufaula. The house is painted with historic colors in keeping with the period of the house. As of March 24, 2019, the house is finally complete and ready to welcome folks for a long time to come. Lovingly called Miss Gerty, Maison Marengo is truly an elegant Blue Lady in the Black Belt!
Acknowledgement
Nothing could have been done on this amazing ride without the expertise and incredible hard work of Carol Kincaid. She truly loves old houses and is a wizard in finding the right materials and fixing the impossible. Her untiring effort and kindred spirit have made this journey both hilarious and interesting. And I have gained a true friend as well!
History
Per information at the Alabama Historic Registry, this property, built in 1890, is attributed to an English developer John Parr for Dr. William Cocke as his doctor’s office and home. During the late 19th and early 20th century, Demopolis experienced an expansion of available transportation and materials in addition to a general economic prosperity. This led to the growth of the city resulting in construction of substantial dwellings. The property was added to the Alabama History Registry in 1997 by Ms. Mary James. At the same time Ms. James also had two properties on Washington Street added as well.
Over the years the house has passed through numerous owners and was renovated in 1935 with the front porch being expanded, the portico added and a back staircase and deck added. This 2-story frame late-Victoria/early Classical Revival building has the main entrance at a 45-degree angle and is approached by a diagonal walkway. A first story porch surrounds the bay. The entrance is through a single-leaf door which originally had an arched transom located over the door. There is a side door off the east side of the porch which was used an entrance to the doctor’s office. Much of the interior appears to be original including wooden window trim, large doors with recessed panels, wood flooring and two mantles, one especially interesting downstairs with unique brick for the top of the mantle.
Current Caretaker
Janis Clayton Cordell came to Demopolis is the mid-1960’s when her father Fred Clayton was sent to be in charge of the construction of Greene County Steam Plant. She was immediately taken by the history and lovely old houses in the downtown area. The first older house she visited in the 1960’s was the Spight-Davis house where she smitten by the beautiful aspects of the historic building.
After many years of visiting with high school friends who get together on a regular basis, she decided to check into the houses available in the Summer of 2017. After looking at several she came across the dilapidated house at 209 South Strawberry. Afraid of the property being condemned and torn down, she decided to check into it.Looking at the pictures online and outside, the property appeared to be what she wanted. Little did she realize what really had to be done! It had been abandoned for almost 10 years and was in foreclosure. She eventually was able to purchase it through on-line auction and closed in November 2017. Then the work really began! It had been turned into 2 separate apartments which needed to be redone to recreate the original interior. New plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing and restoring the beautiful wood flooring, scraping ceilings and woodwork, new porcelain flooring in the kitchen, bathrooms, etc. The yard had not been cleared in many years and trees had to be cut back to protect the house and a large fence installed in the back along the alley. Along the north side of the property, an old fence was salvaged and redone to reflect the period and an arbor was added. New sidewalks and driveway were poured. In order to protect the historic integrity, great pains were taken to use as much of the original house as possible and where things such as the floors repaired, time-period supplied were used. Because the original front transom was destroyed, the original front door now includes a lovely leaded glass insert from an old 1900 house in Forest Park in Birmingham, the heart pine columns are from an old house in the Mobile historic district and the piece over the door is from an old house in Eufaula. The house is painted with historic colors in keeping with the period of the house. As of March 24, 2019, the house is finally complete and ready to welcome folks for a long time to come. Lovingly called Miss Gerty, Maison Marengo is truly an elegant Blue Lady in the Black Belt!
Acknowledgement
Nothing could have been done on this amazing ride without the expertise and incredible hard work of Carol Kincaid. She truly loves old houses and is a wizard in finding the right materials and fixing the impossible. Her untiring effort and kindred spirit have made this journey both hilarious and interesting. And I have gained a true friend as well!
LEVY-GARRETT-SELLERS c. 1935
Robert Jones, Sr. built this one and one-half story Colonial Revival style cottage at the southeast corner of West Decatur and South Main for Marie and Jerome Levy. Mr. Levy was raised at 605 North Main Avenue, son of Benjamin Levy, Sr., and was for almost fifty years the rabbi at B’Nai Jeshurun here in Demopolis. Marie was the granddaughter of Birmingham’s Samuel Ullman, the educations philanthropist and poet. He was owner of the clothing and dry goods store that was founded by his father at the corner of Washington and Strawberry where Colony Office is now located. It was called BJ Levy and Sons, and sold everything from linens to Boy Scouts uniforms. Mr. Levy grew orchids in the sunroom. The Levys raised two daughters in the house, Babette and Jerre. Jerome and Marie lived here until they retired to Montgomery. The Levy’s sold the home to Jan and Bruce Crawford. The Crawfords sold to Joanne and Al Garrett, who did a restoration/remodel of the home in 2000, completely redoing the kitchen and adding a garage and New Orleans style courtyard. They did not change the original footprint of the house.
Brian and Sebie Sellers purchased the house from the Garretts.
Robert Jones, Sr. built this one and one-half story Colonial Revival style cottage at the southeast corner of West Decatur and South Main for Marie and Jerome Levy. Mr. Levy was raised at 605 North Main Avenue, son of Benjamin Levy, Sr., and was for almost fifty years the rabbi at B’Nai Jeshurun here in Demopolis. Marie was the granddaughter of Birmingham’s Samuel Ullman, the educations philanthropist and poet. He was owner of the clothing and dry goods store that was founded by his father at the corner of Washington and Strawberry where Colony Office is now located. It was called BJ Levy and Sons, and sold everything from linens to Boy Scouts uniforms. Mr. Levy grew orchids in the sunroom. The Levys raised two daughters in the house, Babette and Jerre. Jerome and Marie lived here until they retired to Montgomery. The Levy’s sold the home to Jan and Bruce Crawford. The Crawfords sold to Joanne and Al Garrett, who did a restoration/remodel of the home in 2000, completely redoing the kitchen and adding a garage and New Orleans style courtyard. They did not change the original footprint of the house.
Brian and Sebie Sellers purchased the house from the Garretts.
BALTZELL-DeLOACH-FLOYD-MALONE
Originally, this house was located on the Baltzell Plantation in the Tishabee vicinity. In 1911, the house was purchased by Mr. Tom DeLoach, who had the structure dismantled and the materials brought down river on barges to Demopolis. The home was rebuilt using the same materials, on its present lot on Main Avenue here in Demopolis. The DeLoach family occupied the house until 1919, when Mr. & Mrs. Floyd bought it.
The floor plan of the house may not be the exact same as the original in Tishabee, although the original structural materials were used. It is said that the DeLoach children remember their mother telling them that she wanted the stair landing to be constructed large enough to accommodate an orchestra for dances to be held when her daughters became of age.
Mrs. Floyd lived in house until her death when it was passed down to her son, Calhoun Floyd.
Sherry and Brian Malone purchased the house from Jay Shows and moved in in November 2017. The Malones have done extensive work on the house including adding a kitchen addition to the back.
Originally, this house was located on the Baltzell Plantation in the Tishabee vicinity. In 1911, the house was purchased by Mr. Tom DeLoach, who had the structure dismantled and the materials brought down river on barges to Demopolis. The home was rebuilt using the same materials, on its present lot on Main Avenue here in Demopolis. The DeLoach family occupied the house until 1919, when Mr. & Mrs. Floyd bought it.
The floor plan of the house may not be the exact same as the original in Tishabee, although the original structural materials were used. It is said that the DeLoach children remember their mother telling them that she wanted the stair landing to be constructed large enough to accommodate an orchestra for dances to be held when her daughters became of age.
Mrs. Floyd lived in house until her death when it was passed down to her son, Calhoun Floyd.
Sherry and Brian Malone purchased the house from Jay Shows and moved in in November 2017. The Malones have done extensive work on the house including adding a kitchen addition to the back.