One Dollar

Fall/Winter 1983-4

THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY of Local Architecture and Preservation

THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY of Local Architecture and Preservation

Vol. X, Nos. 1&2 Fall /Winter 1983-4

Contents

2 from the Editor

3 HISTORY OF EAST HUNTSVILLE by Joberta Wasson

11 THE ORGANIZATION OF A THIRD HISTORIC DISTRICT IN HUNTSVILLE by Marilyn Kavanaugh

19 SEARS MAIL-ORDER HOUSES by Micky Maroney

25 BRAGG-KAVANAUGH HOUSE by Micky Maroney

29 UPDATE DOWNTOWN: A Revolution by Toni Reynolds

THE HISTORIC HUNTSVILLE QUARTERLY is published four times a year by the Historic Huntsville Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 786, Huntsville, Alabama 35804. Micky Maroney, Editor. Subscriptions are mailed free to all' Foundation members. from the Editor

Historic Huntsville Foundation will be ten years old on April 30! Many people have worked countless hours over these past ten years to make HHF the solid community organization that it is. Pursuing its purpose with much success, HHF continues to promote the preservation of architectural structures and historic sites throughout Huntsville and Madison County, and to increase public awareness of their value to the community.

The sale of the HHF cookbook, "Huntsville Entertains", is an on-going project with the proceeds benefitting local preservation. An order blank for this excellent cookbook is located on the last page of the Quarterly, along with a membership application form. Although these books are available through bookstores alnd other outlets, the entire purchase price can abe applied to the Foundation's preservation funds when pruchased directly from HHF.

Cover

A page from the 1908 Sears Modern Homes Catalog, the first year it was issued.

Photographs:

Micky Maroney: pp. 11-17 and 26-29 Dr. William S. Reynolds: pp. 31-37

2 History of East Huntsville Addition

by Joberta Wasson

In 1888, a magnificent Maysville Road extension. subdivision was planned for This is the area which is an east Huntsville suburb by being proposed as a third a local corporation, the Historic District for Hunts­ North Alabama Improvement ville . Company. It was to be the easternmost part of a larger The 1888 plat shows projected plan called "The streets laid out in a semi­ East Huntsville Addition", circular fashion, with fifty- which would encompass a por­ foot lots facing east and tion of what is now the Old west. A broad avenue bisect­ Town Historic District, and ing the center of the semi­ on its western side, would circle leads to a large city include what became the Dal­ park on the western edge of las Textile Mill site, and the district. Streets are much of the adjacent mill generally named for trees, village. such as cypress, magnolia and elm. An exception is the The choice lots were to broad (one hundred feet wide) be situated in an area which central avenue named "Cleve­ extended west only to the land Avenue" in honor of present Andrew Jackson Way, Grover Cleveland, then presi­ north to the street now call­ dent of the United States. ed McCullough Avenue, south This avenue leads to Randolph to Maple Hill Cemetery, and Circle, which curves around east to a projected but never the park. dedicated 15th Street, one block east of the present The toll road, which at

3 1888 Plat of the first planned subdivision - which was never developed - for East Huntsville. Plat information reads:

East Huntsville First Subdivision of a Portion of the Lands Belonging to the North Alabama Improvement Co.

N. F. Barrett, Landscape Architect R. Jones, Civil Engineer

On Feb. 22, 1888 same was duly entered on records of said county. Thomas J. Taylor, J.P.C.

4 that time led to the summit (Corporation Book, page 19), of Monte Sano, crossed the but since more new business area on its south side, and for Huntsville meant more tracks were being laid for a money and more need for new little luxury railroad spur, houses, it also expended con­ the "Dummy Line" which was to siderable effort in wooing lead to the Monte Sano resort northern capitalists into the hotel, then in its heyday. area.

A few years before this, One of its most ambi­ Huntsville had been a small tious projects was a real town of less than 5,000 peo­ estate venture, the East ple, suffering from recon­ Huntsville Addition. The struction doldrums. Out­ company acquired land from siders considered it a dead individual owners, 2,000 town, pretty, but of no con­ acres in all, according to sequence. ("Mercury", July the 1889 "Mercury". The plat 13, 1892). However, some for the property was approved enterprising citizens real­ on February 22, 1888. The ized that Huntsville had a following May, lot sales were potential for growth and a launched in the elegant east­ flourishing economy: low ern district, with a day-long building costs, cheap and extravaganza. plentiful labor, a nice cli­ mate, and a water supply Quoting the "Mercury" which was inexpensive and for Wednesday, May 15, 1889: practically inexhaustible. If all this were brought to "In the morning the the attention of northern Chattanooga Cornet Band capitalists, success would be played several fine selec­ assured, reasoned citizens tions in front of the Hunts­ such as Charles Halsey, Mil­ ville Hotel, and at ten o'­ ton Humes and others. They clock the first train on the initiated a campaign of ad­ dummy line left McDonald's vertising Huntsville’s assets Station with two cars loaded in newspapers around the down with men and women, and country. The results could continued making trips during hardly have been better. the day, carrying a full load Businessmen from other cities each trip. and states came, liked what they saw and often stayed. "At twelve o'clock the sale was started with the Two of the most out­ privilege of purchasing the standing were the O’Shaugh- adjoining lot at the price nessy brothers, Michael and paid for the lot bid on, James, from Cincinnati, via which plan was continued Nashville. ("Mercury", April through the day. There was 10, 1889). Michael organized considerable excitement on the North Alabama Improvement the part of the bidders. The Company, a corporation, in first lot was purchased by 1886, and became its presi­ C. H. and W. Halsey for dent. Other stockholders in­ $300.00. (Lots 15 and 16, cluded many local business­ Block 46). men. Its purpose was simply to make money through real "At one p.m. sale dis­ estate and other ventures, continued for an hour to

5 allow the crowd to take ad­ before they left South Dako­ vantage of a grand barbeque. ta, its sights were now set on Huntsville rather than the "A large crowd, many of northwest, and its aims were whom were ladies, followed more or less the same as the carriage containing the those of the North Alabama auctioneer. Sales ended at Improvement Company. Many five p.m." local leaders became stock­ holders, too. With such an auspicious beginning, sales might have This company proved to been expected to continue be the salvation of the North briskly. But they apparently Alabama Improvement Company. did not. We may speculate It bought the entire East that the Addition opened too Huntsville Addition, except soon. Even though the I m ­ for a portion of the western provement Company stockhold­ section which had already ers had worked hard promoting been deeded to the new Dallas Huntsville, the economy did Textile Mill then in con­ not begin to soar until the struction, and to the pro­ early 1890's when many new posed mill village housing industries became fully es­ area adjacent. The entire tablished, among them the elegant eastern portion, the textile mills which were to 285 acre tract which com­ be the cornerstone of pros­ prises the proposed historic perity for many decades. district, was replatted as of May 9, 1892. (Plat Book 1, The ensuing events give pp.34-35). rise to many puzzling ques­ tions: The North Alabama On the new plat, the Improvement Company's foun­ streets run straight north der, Mr. Michael O'Shaugh- and south, east and west. nessy, left town, even though Lots are forty feet wide. he and his wife had recently The streets running east and taken up residence in his west are named for company large and imposing new house directors and other prominent (now called the McCormick citizens, except for exten­ House). This is not to imply sions of Randolph and Clinton that there was scandal in­ Avenues. The side streets volved. There may have been. are merely numbered. (These On the other hand, his depar­ were not named until 1958, ture may have been a mere when there was a general coincidence, or he may have overhaul of Huntsville street gone seeking help for the names, at which time they, ailing company, more likely too, were named for local the latter. Soon after, prominent citizens). The three astute businessmen from fine park on the west is gone Pierre, South Dakota moved to and has been replaced by Huntsville. These men, another park, in the shape of William S. Wells, Tracy W. a square two blocks wide, Pratt and Willard I. Wellman between Wellman and Ward, to drew up a corporation under the south and north; and the laws of South Dakota. Sixth and Eighth, to the west Though it was named the and east. Northwestern Land Association and had probably been formed This time, the project

6 1892 Plat of East Huntsville Addition, developed by the Northwestern Land Association. Plat information reads:

East Huntsville Addition to Huntsville, Alabama On Sept. 3rd, 1896 - I made a survey of Blocks 122, 123, 118, 119, and part of Block 124, I found some of the original lot and street stakes and from these found that the streets were now at a variation of 3 , making the angle of the streets N 3 W and the angle of the avenues S 87 W. Jno. T. McCalley, County Surveyor

I. H. J. Simmons, Civil Engineer, hereby certify that this is a true Copy of Survey of East Huntsville Addition to the City of Huntsville, to the best of my knowledge and belief. May 9th, 1892 H. J. Simmons

H. J. Simmons, C.E. F. C. Flickinger, C.E.

7 prospered. Lots sold rapidly prospective home owners. As and construction began at the "Mercury" for September once on new houses. Among 28, 1892, affirmed: those who purchased lots were William S. Wells, president "The low price at which of the company, and Willard the property is offered makes I. Wellman, its secretary. this the surest and safest Both speculated by building investment property in the rental houses in the dis­ city." trict. Mr. Wellman is pur­ ported to have bought $63,000 The change in the plat worth of lots. ("Mercury", layout of the area presented September 18, 1892). His own some problems. For instance, home was constructed across those original "eager buyers" from Five Points, where a who had bought lots on North First Alabama branch bank now Alabama Improvement Company's stands. opening sales day must have been left with property which The 1892 newspapers of­ cut across new streets and ten referred with pride to adjacent lot lines. News­ the new development. The paper records and deed books “Mercury" for September 18, show that a number of those 1892, exclaimed: buyers either sold their lots to the Northwestern Land "This company is trans­ Association or gave them to forming East Huntsville into it, doubtless for other con­ the most beautiful part of siderations. The chancery the city. Many of our best court records of this time citizens are taking advantage indicate that the North Ala­ of the low prices at which bama Improvement Company was this beautiful property is involved in various lawsuits, placed on the market. Care though none was directly con­ will be taken so the sur­ nected with land sales. The roundings will not be objec­ "Argus" for January 5, 1893 tionable. There will be no contains a reference to the 'Georgia' adjacent." two companies which clearly indicates that the North­ Another comment was: western Land Association was trying to assist the North "East Huntsville is cap­ Alabama Improvement Company turing all the new houses. in paying off its debts. The truth of the business is There was an obvious connec­ that East Huntsville is work­ tion between the two. ing to sell lots and build up that end of the city while It was necessary to take other portions of the city up some tracks of the "Dummy are simply waiting for some­ Line" and re-lay them to pre­ thing to turn up." ("Mer­ vent cutting up blocks. cury", August 10, 1892). ("Mercury", May 25, 1892).

The company advertised By the end of this dec­ aggressively, emphasizing its ade, the district was well low prices and easy terms. established. About this As a result of this, it tend­ time, the Northwest Land As­ ed to attract more specula­ sociation ceased selling tors in rental property than property, and the district

8 developed more slowly. As lowed until nothing remained. late as 1921, only one block had been completely filled During the 1920's, there with dwellings. (Sanborn Map was an upsurge of building Company). Ironically, this and by the time of the Great is the block between Pratt Depression, the area was and Ward, immediately across rather densely populated. from the present Five Points The dwellings in the district business distric. Now, all are an interesting conglomer­ dwellings facing Pratt and ate of architectural styles the side streets have been and periods, and of quality torn down to make way for of workmanship. If someone stores and a filling station. decided to take a stroll around one block— any block— In 1921, the John Scott in the heart of the district, Florist and Greenhouse occu­ it would be possible to pre­ pied both north and south dict, with reasonable accura­ sides of Wellman Avenue at cy, what sort of buildings Five Points. The only other would be seen. There would business in the district was be a few cottages, several Mrs. McKissack's Grocery late Victorian and, or, ec­ Store on East Clinton Avenue. lectic twenties style houses Now, of course, the Five - some very fine and a few Points section is primarily extremely simple rectangles. made up of business estab­ (The exceptions to this pat­ lishments. Outside of Five tern are the apartments and Points, there are very few condominiums which are now others. engulfing vacant spaces.)

The Wellman Avenue area This district is a per­ had not been opened beyond fect example of what can Five Points and much of it happen to a development when was still vacant land. The there are no zoning laws projected park was never de­ governing it. The promises veloped, though a large part of "no Georgia" were broken of it remain ed vacant at flagrantly as speculators put least as late as 1920. The up rental property. However, section of Pratt and Ward, the district's lack of uni­ between 7th and 8th streets, formity actually enhances its was platted September 26, historical importance. As a 1914, as A. A. Love property whole, it is a piece of Ame r­ and divided into forty-foot icana. If only the best lots. This was the first houses were preserved, it section of the park to be cut would deteriorate into a off and sold. Others fol­ lifeless showcase.

Sources:

Corporative Record of Madison County - Huntsville Law Library Huntsville, Alabama - Sanborn Map Co., 11 Broadway, N.Y., 1921 Madison County Chancery Court Records - Huntsville Law Library Property Deed Books - Madison County Courthouse Plat Book 1 - Madison County Courthouse Newspapers: "The Weekly Argus", “The Weekly Democrat" and "The Weekly Mercury" Changing Huntsville, by Elizabeth Humes Chapman, Privately published, Huntsville, Alabama, 1972 9 Newspaper ad in the "Weekly Argus", June 23, 1892

10 The Organization of a Third Historic District in Huntsville

by Marilyn Kavanaugh

East Huntsville, the linger Addition), Andrew area being proposed as a Jackson Way/California Street third historic preservation on the west, and Maysville district for Huntsville, in­ Road on the east. cludes most of the East Huntsville Addition of the At several points, the City. The plat of this Addi­ western border of the pro­ tion was recorded in 1892. posed district adjoins the The area being considered eastern boundaries of Hunts­ lies between McCullough Ave­ ville's present preservation nue (both sides) on the districts, Twickenham and Old north, Maple Hill Cemetery on Town. Situated near the the south (including the Ess- eastern boundary is Oak

Corner of Ward Ave. and Andrew Jackson Way.

11 McCullough Avenue. The sole remaining structure from Williams College, believed to have been faculty quarters.

Place, the beautifully re­ Preservation District. stored home of Huntsville's antebellum architect, George East Huntsville is a Steele. Oak Place now serves wonderful melange of archi­ as the educational building tectural styles, including for the East Huntsville Bap­ Victorian, Colonial Revival, tist Church and is listed on bungalow, English cottage, the National Register of His­ and a few more recent ranch toric Places. Maple Hill styles. Most of these homes Cemetery serves as a logical were built before World War historic and geographic II, but at least one struc­ southern boundary, while both ture is believed to have an sides of McCullough Avenue antebellum portion. One Vic­ were chosen as the northern torian home in the area, boundary to include the site already on the National Reg­ of the former Williams Col­ ister, is being used as a lege, a women's college in commercial establishment, The existence for only a few Old Town Gallery. Located at years before it burned down the corner of Andrew Jackson prior to 1920. Way and Ward Avenue, it was meticulously restored by its Initially, Oakwood Ave­ owner, Evelyn Wright. nue was considered as the northern boundary, but a Organizers of the newly smaller area is now being proposed district have been proposed for two reasons. greatly assisted by the or­ First, for administrative ganizer of the Old Town Dis­ convenience, since several of trict, Frances Rice, by the blocks north of McCul­ Harvie Jones of the architec­ lough Avenue have 36 lots, as tural firm of Jones and opposed to 16 lots in the Herrin, and by Linda Bayer of blocks to the south. And the City Planning Department. second and more importantly, The organizing committee con­ it was felt that the area sists of Bob Cantrell, Gary north of McCullough has a and Sue Cooper, Randall and character of its own, more Cathy Hayes, Ben and Marilyn suitable for inclusion in a Kavanaugh (chairman), Vir­ future Dallas Mill Historic ginia Lavender, Doug and Judy

12 McKee, Jim Sanders, and Bill uted within the area to ad­ Wilson. vertise the meeting, and pub­ licity was sought from the As a first step, Judy various news media. McKee and Marilyn Kavanaugh conducted a structures survey Approximately 100 inter­ of the area, noting which ested persons attended the structures had been built or meeting and voiced their con­ destroyed since the last city cerns and support to a panel survey. House numbers were consisting of Frances Rice, also noted for future corre­ Harvie Jones, and Linda lation with the petitions. Bayer. It was decided that sufficient support had been A preliminary meeting expressed to continue to the was held at the Kavanaugh's next phase, which was prepa­ home to discuss the project. ration of the petitions. A It was decided to invite all number of persons volunteered those within the proposed to distribute the petitions district (which at that time for signatures once they were included Oakwood Avenue) to ready. attend an educational pro­ gram. Permission was ob­ According to Act No. tained from Dr. James Johns­ 1037, H. 2095 of the 1971 ton of the Huntsville City Regular Session of the Ala­ School System to use the bama Legislature, each peti­ Annie C. Merts Center for the tion must include the legal meeting on Sunday, June 20, description of each parcel of 1982. Leaflets were distrib­ property and must be signed

Bierne Ave. A Victorian "Carpenter Gothic" being restored.

13 Ward Ave. Turn-of-the-Century cottage with new rear wing.

by the person or persons to tained, the organizers will whom the property was last consult with Linda Bayer, of assessed for tax purposes. the City Planning Department, The Act presumes they are the concerning the final boundary legal owners. At least 60 lines, as well as the sup­ per cent of the property porting rationale and docu­ owners in the proposed dis­ mentation for the district. trict must sign these peti­ The petitions will then be tions for the district to presented to the Huntsville become a reality. City Council, asking that the area be accepted into the Obtaining and gathering City as an Historic Preserva­ this information for some 600 tion District. parcels of property was very time-consuming. About 20 If approved by the City percent of the property Council, the District would owners live outside the pro­ then come under the guidance posed district, adding a fur­ and protection of the city's ther challenge to the task. Historic Preservation Commis­ The Historic Huntsville Foun­ sion. Future plans include dation voted to lend its the organization of an East support to the project, and Huntsville Historic Preserva­ voted an appropriation toward tion Asssociation, and the the petition expenses. application for registration with the National Register of When a sufficient number Historic Places. of signatures has been ob­

14 Clinton Ave. 1898 house undergoing restoration with new rear addition built in original style of house.

McCullough Ave. Twin bungalows.

15 A pair of English cottages. Randolph Ave. (top) 1925, shows Craftsman influence. Ward Ave. (bottom) A later version of the English cottage style.

16 Corner of Randolph Ave. and Andrew Jackson Way. A trio of bungalows.

Some homeowners in the the p ro gr am itself is not East Huntsville area may be limited to low-income eligible for low interest families. loans for repair and rehabil­ itation purposes. Totally Included in the program unrelated to the proposed is a portion of East Hunts­ third historic distric, these ville, known as the Five funds are presently available Points Target Area; it is for several areas of the bounded on the North by the city. southern side of Oakwood Ave­ nue, on the South by the The program is adminis­ northern side of Clinton Ave­ tered by the department of nue, on the West by the east­ Community Development of the ern side of Dallas Avenue, City of Huntsville. At the and on the East by those lots attractive interest rate of facing both sides of Mayes- six per cent, any funds bor­ ville Road. rowed become a second mort­ gage on the property where a Further information may first mortgage exists. The be obtained from Steve Baird terms of the loan depend upon with the Department of Com­ family size and income, but munity Development.

17 "The Langston" was featured in the 1919 Sears, Roebuck Fall Catalog.

18 Sears Mail-Order Houses

by Micky Maroney

"One Order Brings It homes were featured and a All." The headline of the special Homes Catalog was advertisement for "The Lang­ issued. The first bill of ston", on the opposite page, materials for a complete home surely caused even the casual was sold in 1909, and by 1911 browser to pause for a second Sears had made its first look. Featured in the Fall mortgage loan. Business was Catalog of Sears, Roebuck and booming. Company in 1919, the adver­ tisement for the "Honor Bilt" The primary purpose of Modern Home offered every the Modern Homes Department, item for a complete, well according to Sears informa­ planned house containing the tion, was "to afford an out­ finest materials - from lum­ let for the sale of general ber and lighting to plumbing merchandise." At the time, and paint - for a reasonable sales were lagging in certain price. Included were de­ home furnishing items, such tailed instructions for con­ as sofas, pianos, grapho- struction . phones, etc. These items, sometimes verbally suggested Between 1909 and 1937 in the home ads, were often the Sears Modern Homes De­ drawn into the floor plans of partment offered about 450 the Modern Homes, giving pro­ different models and sold spective buyers ideas for more than 100,000 homes. future purchases. In addi­ Ranging in size from modest tion, separate building and three-room cottages priced roofing materials were sold well under $1,000 to near­ by the Department. And of mansions of ten or more rooms course. Sears made available selling for over $5,000, the to the small homeowner a "Honor Bilt" homes were a- selection of complete homes vailable in a variety of to be built at moderate cost architectural styles. of high quality materials.

The Modern Homes Depart­ Persuading people to buy ment was introduced in the an entire house by mail-order Sears, Roebuck and Co. cata­ was no small accomplishment. log in the spring of 1908 Richard Sears, an astute, when four pages of modern selftaught merchant and copy­

19 writer himself, trained his ware, silverware, suits, copywriters to continue his dresses, linen, etc., all of own early advertising tactics which you will find illus­ of enticing the buyer with trated, described and priced colorful phrases, alluring in this catalog. illustrations, testamonials, and even gilt-edged guaran­ In even more detail, tees. All else failing, "The Fullerton" ad of 1926 Sears added a free set of advised that the price in­ plans and the advice of ar­ cluded framing lumber of No. chitects, builders and con­ 1 quality Douglas Fir or tractors . Pacific Coast Hemlock, siding of Clear Cypress or Clear Red Offering undeniably good Cedar, a 17-year guarantee on reasons for purchasing a the Oriental Slate Surfaced Sears home, "The Langston" ad Shingles, etc. Also, paint continues convincingly: "You for three coats on outside dispose of the entire trans­ trim and siding. Interior action in a few minutes. You features included a medicine select your house from our case, wardrobes, kitchen cup­ Book of "Honor Bilt" Modern boards, a Colonial mantel, Homes, merely by writing down and shellac and varnish for the name or number, and on interior trim and doors. A- receipt of your order we ship mong the options offered at at the price quoted: the extra cost were storm doors Lumber, Lath and Shingles; and windows for $76 extra, Mill Work such as Doors, and sheet plaster and white Windows, Molding, Building plaster finish to take the Paper, Flooring, Porch Mate­ place of wood lath for $196 rial, etc.; Hardware, Nails, extra. Eaves Troughs, Down Spouts, Paint and Varnish. And persuaded they were, every type of buyer on every "At your option: Steam level. By 1919 Sears had Heating, Furnace Heating, opened its first Modern Homes Plumbing Outfit, Electric Sales Office in Akron, Ohio; Wiring, Gas and Electric Fix­ other offices were opened in tures, Wall Paper and Elec­ other cities east of the Mis­ tric Lighting Plants Furnish­ sissippi, including a large ed Extra. branch office in Philadel­ phia. But the real advantage "See how much more con­ to the Sears, Roebuck mail­ venient this is than to -be order house was that the compelled to go to a dozen components could be shipped places for as many different by boxcar to anyone in any items, each transaction re­ remote part of the country quiring time, expense and served by a rail line. worry. . . Upon receiving an order "You can go even further and a small downpayment, the and benefit yourself still Modern Homes Department would more . . . by adding to your ship the load of precut and order to be shipped when con­ fitted pieces to the h o m e ­ venient to you, your rugs, owner. Enough materials were furniture, perhaps a piano, a guaranteed to build the Silvertone phonograph, china- house, although cement, brick

20 1926 Sears Modern Homes Catalog. Note furniture placement in floor plan. 21 and plaster were not included Carlinville, Illinois, had in the price. The builder hired enough men to work had to dig his own basement, them, and needed instant probably with a horse-drawn housing for the men and their scoop, and lay his own foun­ families. Sears' precut and dation . fitted homes were the perfect solution. Thus, two new Each item was numbered towns were born in short to correspond to the precise order - Standard City and instructions which made con­ Standard Addition, Illinois - struction sound simple, even with Sears planning the for the amateur. Homeowners towns. were cautioned: "Remember, these instructions and plans The Sears planners, are the result of several well-versed in the pecking years of practical experi­ order of company towns, ence. Follow them carefully planned everything right down and no trouble will result. to the width of the sidewalks If you do not follow them, and the sizes of the houses errors will occur." for the miners and their supervisors. Standard hired Roofing instructions for construction workers to do "The Crescent", a 1926 bunga­ the actual building, then low, advised: "The roof sold the finished homes to boards of your Modern Home the miners for $100 down and are to be. laid tight. The $40 a month. Oriental Slate Surfaced Shingles are to be laid 1/2 Flourishing for a few inch apart and 4 inches to short years, the mining towns the weather. Enough wood were abandoned when the coal shingles are furnished to be mines were depleted in 1923. laid for first course pro­ Over the ensuing years, some jecting over eaves. Over the of the houses have been reno­ wood shingles lay your first vated and are still being course of sl ate-surface lived in today. shingles. This will prevent the first course of slate Between 1926 and 1929, shingles from drooping at the mail-order home sales peaked, eaves." as did sales in home furnish­ ings. The sly ploy to boost With such detailed in­ sales in "general merchan­ structions and persuasive ad­ dise" had worked. vertising, plus the obvious quality of the completed To help keep their costs homes, the solidly built Mod­ low, Sears had built a sash ern Homes by 1919 were mush­ and door factory in Norwood, rooming across the entire Ohio and millwork plants in country. 1919 also was the Cairo, Illinois and Port New­ year that Standard Oil Compa­ ark, New Jersey. However, ny of Indiana sent Sears, after 1929, the effects of Roebuck and Company a check the Great Depression were for $1 million and an order felt by the Sears Modern for 200 houses! Homes Department as much as by anyone. Standard Oil had pur­ chased two coal mines near Ironically, it was the

22 1918 Sears Modern Homes Catalog. "The Magnolia" was one of the largest, most expensive homes offered by Sears. 23 extensive mortgage financing fied in the future as more program that led to the col­ preservationists and old- lapse of the Modern Homes house enthusiasts become in­ Department. By the summer of terested in them. A guide to 1931, there was a large in­ Sears houses, to be published crease in the number of prop­ in 1984 by the National Trust erties reacquired by Sears, for Historic Preservation, and from September 1931 should eliminate the need to through November 1932, the look through numerous Homes number of mortgage foreclo­ Catalogs to spot pictures of sures exceeded the total num­ the houses for identifica­ ber of foreclosures of all tion . the preceeding years. The accounts of the Modern Homes Unfortunately for the Department were liquidated in Sears-house sleuth, there is 1934, and the Spring Catalog no designer label emblazened of 1937 contained the last on the front door or chimney- appearance of the Modern top to indicate that a house Homes Department. In subse­ is a Sears original. Indeed, quent years, only special some owners tried to hide the Homes Catalogs were issued. fact that they lived in a Sears house. Also, several At present, Sears corpo­ other companies provided rate headquarters has very mail-order homes during the few records of who purchased late 1800's and early 1900's, mail-order homes or the ship­ confusing and confounding ping locations. Lenore Sois- present-day homeowners who kin, Sears archivist in the hope they have a Sears "Honor Department of Public Affairs Bilt" home. at the Sears Tower in Chica­ go, is actively trying to For the diligent search­ identify Sears houses and to er, however, it is possible collect the rare old cata­ to find clues indicating that logs. She is especially in­ a house was ordered from terested in learning about Sears. Mail-order evidence any newly discovered Sears has been found in out-of-the- homes anywhere in the U.S. way places, such as the ship­ ment serial number and the From articles in company buyer's name stenciled on a publications, many Sears em­ baseboard in the attic or on ployees have learned of the a panel in a closet under a efforts to locate the mail­ stairway. Often, evidence is order homes and have sent in buried under layers of old building plans, catalogs, paint or covered over by deeds and settlement papers structural alterations. from their own Sears homes. These documents, plus a Fortunate, indeed, is lengthening list of existing the clue-hunter who finds the homes, are now on file in the bill of materials, blueprints Sears archives in Chicago. or specifications for his home, proving it to be from It is hoped that more Sears. Sears houses will be identi­

24 From the 1897 Sears Catalogue No. 104, when the company was just four years old.

25 1506 McCullough Avenue. Bragg - Kavanaugh House

A Sears House in East Huntsville

by Micky Maroney

There are undoubtedly a naughs, the Colonial Revival number of Sears "Honor Bilt" style home was built in 1912 homes in Huntsville and Madi­ by Huntsville merchant J. D. son County, although only Bragg on land he owned at the three such houses have come northeastern edge of town. to the attention of the His­ toric Huntsville Foundation. No documents have ever None of the three is docu­ been found to verify that the mented as positively being a house came from Sears, but Sears house, but rumor and all the previous owners have hearsay indicate that these said they heard that it was a homes were ordered from Sears house. Sears. The Kavanuaghs have One such house is lo­ talked to the original own­ cated in the proposed East er's grandsons, Henry Bragg Huntsville Historic District, and James Bragg, Jr., about at 1506 McCullough Avenue. the origin of the house. The Now owned by the Ben Kava- Braggs remember their grand­

26 father saying he chose and far, the Kavanuaghs have ordered the house from the found nothing to indicate the Sears catalog, and when sev­ model or purchase price; they eral boxcar loads of materi­ had hoped that the house was als arrived at the depot, the "The Magnolia," a Colonial components were hauled by Revival model of 1918. After wagon to the construction finding that their home was a site. much earlier model, the Kava- naughs also saw many differ­ Kavanaugh even wrote to ences in the two houses when Sears for information, but they saw floorplans for "The they had no early records of Magnolia." Huntsville area sales. How­ ever, he was able to deter­ During the process of mine that the house was built restoration of their nine in 1912 by searching through room house, they, found evi­ old tax assessment records at dence of changes made during the county courthouse. So years past - a couple of

27 Detail of newel post

doorways had been moved, a constructed the house for Mr. couple others had been sealed Bragg, or perhaps "CVT Co." up, and some closets had been produced the precut millwork added. for Sears. Identical sten­ ciling appears on the back­ They also found evidence side of all interior trim and of the mail-order origin of door facings. Also in the their home. Located in the attic, they found some beams attic is a baseboard sten­ with unused precut notches, ciled with the name "J. D. perhaps for an optional wall Bragg," a shipment serial or partition, indicating the number, and "CVT Co.," which beams were cut before they Kavanaugh believes stands for were purchased, rather than Charles Van Torn Company, being cut as needed. posssibly a local builder who

"Colonial style" overmantel in living room.

28 Several structural com­ ponents of the house typify options in the Sears mail­ order packages, most notably, the redwood siding. Redwood was not easily available in Huntsville in 1912. Other materials, offered by Sears and used in the Kavanaugh's house, include cedar shin­ gles, oak beams, joists and studs, and very dense heart pine flooring from a pine variety not grown locally.

Interior features de­ noting a possible Sears de­ sign include the "colonial style" oak mantel, a built-in china closet in the dining room, and an original brass light fixture with a globe having a raised design of "akanthos" leaves.

Even though documentary proof eludes them, the Kava naughs choose to believe that Mr. J. D. Bragg did, indeed, order his spacious, charming Built-in china cabinet in house from the Sears catalog. dining room.

Historic Huntsville Foundation is interested in learning of other Sears houses in the area. They need not be document­ ed; rumor, recollection, structural evidence, etc. would be sufficient justification for further research to be done for verification.

Information and questions concerning other possible Sears houses in the area may be directed to the Quarterly Editor, Historic Huntsville Foundation, P.O. Box 786, Huntsville, AL 35804, or by calling 883-8474.

29 U p d a t e

D o w n t o w n :

A Revolution

by Toni Reynolds

It is a revolution in and prosper. The commercial every sense of the word be­ interests are capitalizing on cause it is motion and activ­ the new trends in our socie­ ity around a point, because ty, and downtown is reflect­ it is change from a past ing these changes. situation, because it is part of an historical cycle, and What a marvelous oppor­ because it is of the utmost tunity for merchants in the importance and significance 80's to take advantage of the in the economic development rejuvenation of buildings and of the downtown section of the influx of people neces­ the city of Huntsville. Even sary to staff offices! The though there is change/revo­ world turns, and the histori­ lution in the usage of the cal cycle repeats itself as buildings, restoration and the downtown area once again preservation are the order of will be full of people who the day, too! will be working and shopping there, much as townspeople In the short space of a did in earlier years. year, the downtown has a new face, a new direction, and a The importance of down­ new future because the citi­ town derives from its age, zens here have continued to scale, architecture, and lay­ believe in the development of out, all of which are typical Huntsville, Madison County, of small town development in and North Alabama. As long the early 1800's. In the as the government and busi­ downtown area that is located ness interests will take north of the Courthouse risks and have vision, then Square, most of the present Huntsville will have a future buildings are the two or

30 three story Commercial Brick style (characterized by usu­ ally symmetrical brick fa­ cades with regularly spaced or grouped windows; reliance on fenestration and structu­ ral materials to create in­ terest; lack of applied orna­ mentation) which reflects the mercantile architecture of the early twentieth century. There are four multi-storied structures dating from the 1920's in this area: the Yarbrough Hotel (1922-24), the Terry-Hutchens Building (1925), the Times Building (1926-28), and the Russel Erskine Hotel (1928-30).*

Currently, work prog­ resses on the rehabilitation Dunnavant's Building of a number of buildings located to the north of as a newly installed elevator Courthouse Square: to serve the upstairs of­ fices. The interior will DUNNAVANT'S (1905) have a skylight, incorpo­ 100 North Washington rating a multi-story atrium design from roof to basement. Dunnavants's was design­ The atrium will have plants ed by Huntsville architect and a bridge, providing a Edgar Love. The exterior, of light and open effect, espe­ brick and milled construc­ cially in the basement with tion, is the original design its natural brick walls. except for the entrance and This eclectic style is common display windows. The new in renovated office build­ owners have committed them­ ings, blending the old ex­ selves to preserving the out­ terior with a new interior. side of the building. The There will be solar heating, windows on the upper floors if possible, on the roof. will be restored and protect­ Occupancy date is planned for ed in the renovation. The June 1984. exterior renovation is in progress and the completion BELK-HUDSON BUILDING (1930) date is approximately May 116 North Washington 1984. The inside will have 30,000 square feet of new, The Belk-Hudson build­ modern offices. The 18-foot ing, which was sold recently, metal ceilings will be kept, is also being renovated now. and the old elevator will The store building will be remain operational, as well leased to Science Applica-

*The original architectural style of each of these buildings was expertly described in the 1981 Winter Issue of the "Quarterly".

31 tions, Inc., a computer com­ of preservation can be con­ pany, and will also have at sidered preferable to demoli­ least 30,000 square feet of tion . office space in the two sec­ tions of the building. The two-story front part of the The gap between Belk- building will have about 56 Hudson's and Dunnavant's, offices, while around 20 of­ soon to be a parking lot, was fices and a workshop area once occupied by the Guden- will be in the one-story back rath Building which was de­ portion. Complete moderniza­ molished in 1979. Built in tion is planned with a target 1900 by Otto and Joseph Gud- completion date of February- enrath, the two-story struc­ March 1984. The exterior ture was one of the most will be remodeled and some of interesting commercial build­ the windows will be bricked ings in downtown Huntsville.* up to give a new 1980's ap­ The city can ill afford to pearance. This building is lose any more fine buildings not as architecturally and such as the Gudenrath, if we historically significant as hope to maintain the area of many other remaining struc­ historic identity that is tures downtown, so this form still intact.

St. Charles Anglican Church A replica of a 17th C. Hopewell, Va. church

*See the 1979 Winter Issue of the "Quarterly for description arid history of the Gudenrath Building.

32 Moving north on Washing­ authentic reproduction of the ton Street across Holmes, one oldest extant Anglican Church sees the new office for the in America. A copy of the Huntsville Housing Authority, seventeenth century Mer­ located in a lately remodeled chant's Hope Church in Hope- building of mid-Twentieth well, Virginia, the replica century origin. Between this will house Huntsville's first and Lewter Hardware Co. is a Anglican congregation, the building that is new but has St. Charles, King and Martyr historical interest, being an Anglican Church.

The Washington Street Complex

THE WASHINGTON STREET COMPLEX (1932) plan the Housing Authority 101-111 North Washington had purchased from Steve Kling, designer of Overton Backtracking to the cor­ Square in Memphis, Tennessee. ner of Washington and Clin­ The plan was bought as an ton, we find the Washington impetus to downtown develop­ Street Complex which was re­ ment. The idea of creating cently developed by Schrim an appealing appearance to sher and Co. This building attract people to the down­ has seen many changes before town area is a good one! The its recent renovation. Built building now reflects an at­ before 1861, the building was mosphere of casualness and enlarged in 1881 to house the openness, with its wrought- Speegal Hotel. In 1932, the iron decoration and bright, building was reconstructed colorful awnings. Cafe 101, after a fire left only the a restaurant with outdoor walls standing. Lately, the patio seating, typifies this building, bought from the casual and open atmosphere. Huntsville Housing Authority, Upstairs there are spaces for was renovated according to a several offices. One is al­

33 Washington Street Complex - cafe patio ready occupied by a law firm. building houses several reno­ Continuing north on Washing­ vated shops to be rented as ton Street from Cafe 101, the specialty shops or boutiques.

THE EVERETT BUILDING (1899) Although there is much 115-123 North Washington renewal planned for the com­ ing year, this is not true Next door to the Wash­ for all the buildings in the ington Street Complex is the area. Next to the Everett Everett Building, soon to be Building is the old Yarbrough the home of the Heritage Hotel on the southwest corner Club. Currently undergoing of Washington and Holmes. renovation, this private club There are no anticipated and restaurant, with its sev­ changes or development for eral thousand square feet of the Yarbrough at this time. space, will be a valuable Across Washington on the component of the downtown northwest corner of Holmes, resurrection. It will serve is real estate that retains the many business and social its traditional usage as a interests of the community retail business operated by a well. The Heritage Club is tenant of long standing, with expected to be open in May- a long-term lease. So, there June 1984. are no plans to change this arrangement, either, in the * * * * forseeable future.

34 STRUVE-HAY BUILDING (1900) 117-123 North Jefferson

Moving west along Holmes to Jefferson Street, the next renovated building is the Struve-Hay Building at the southwest corner of Jefferson and Holmes. Built in 1900 by architect Herbert Cowell, it combines Commercial Brick and Victorian features, including a Victorian corner tower. Other nineteenth century fea­ tures include the applied metal cornices and the Roman esque-derived side entrance with an oriel window above. The exterior features of the building have been preserved, and the renovation of the interior has been completed. This, too, is currently being used for offices. It has been occupied since May 1983.

Struve-Hay Building

Becker's Block

35 BECKER'S BLOCK (1925) 105-111 North Jefferson

Continuing south on Jef­ ferson Street is Becker's Block, a fully developed ex­ ample of Commercial Brick styling. This building will be renovated and restored in the near future and will be offices, too.

TERRY-HUTCHENS BUILDING (1925) 102 West Clinton

The Terry-Hutchens Building, facing West Clinton on the corner of Jefferson and Clinton, is one of the three original skyscrapers in the central business dis­ trict. It was the first highrise office building downtown. There are no defi­ nite plans as to when this building will be remodeled, but it will continue to be Terry-Hutchens Building leased for office space as Clinton Ave. entrance the demand becomes apparent.

Again, in the space of a How many people will it year, there has been signifi­ take to staff so many of­ cant change. As more and fices? Where are they going more of the population age to eat? Where are they going and need housing, this is to spend their lunch hour, another example of downtown and where will they shop? reflecting our society today. Park? In addition to the present parking areas (which While it may seem a will be inadequate when all shame that there is not a this new office space is well-publicized overall plan staffed), there will be a new for this downtown revolution, 7 5-foot parking lot on Wash­ that is often true of revolu­ ington Street between the tion, and it has been true of Dunnavant's and Belk's Build­ Huntsville in the past. But ings. Since business inter­ there does seem to be a need ests are returning to the for recognizing the problems downtown area, the City associated with development Transportation Department of office space and the in­ plans to update its 1972-3 flux of people in the area. study on downtown parking

36 RUSSEL ERSKINE HOTEL (1928-3 0 ) 123 West Clinton

The Russel Erskine Ho­ tel, west of the Terry-Hut- chens Building on Clinton, has also changed ownership and usage in the last couple of years. It is currently owned by a syndicated group in Memphis, and a management company is presently leasing apartment units to the elder­ ly and handicapped who quali­ fy as tenants. There are 69 apartment units, including several (located in the areas where the parking garage and the retail shops formerly were) for the handicapped. In spite of interior changes, the old hotel's marble stairs have been preserved. The apartments are now being rented and occupied. Russel Erskine Building

requirements, and present the purpose. The new proprietors results to the City Council are no longer merchants in as soon as possible so that the historical sense of mer­ future parking problems can cantile businesses selling be avoided. goods, but are merchants selling office space. As we So, part of d o w n t o w n progress into 1984, Hunts­ Huntsville has dramatically ville's downtown is alive and changed in one year. While well! The update is that the the skyline north of the old structures are being pre­ Square looks the same, the served, while at the same exteriors of the buildings time, the new era of techno­ are similar, and the streets logical and service employ­ are basically the same, it is ment is providing the area, coming alive with a fresh once again, with a popula­ look, attitude, vitality, and tion.

37

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