According to an announcement given out yesterday, the old Pickett homestead at the corner of Molton and Clayton Streets, the former property of Alabama's historian, Col. Albert J. Pickett, and one of the oldest homes in the city of Montgomery, is being sold. Papers are being made out and within a day or two will have been completed, which will transfer the property of the Pickett heirs to E. R. Barnes, principal of the Barnes School, of this city. The price of the land included in the sale is $11,000.
With the sale will be marked the passing of another of the old landmarks of Montgomery. Although the old building will be allowed to remain where it has stood for more than half a century, it will be remodelled throughout, and instead of being used as a dwelling, it will hereafter be used for the preparation of boys and girls for collegiate work.
The report of the sale was at first received with some surprise. Although the property has been known to be on the market for some time, it was not until yesterday that the rumor of the proposed sale was spread. The rumor was confirmed, however, by E. R. Barnes, principal of the school, who several days ago secured an option on the property for sixty days. When seen last evening, Mr. Barnes stated that the time limit of the option would not be taken advantage of, and that the arrangements would be completed as soon as the necessary legal forms could be properly executed.
The transaction is to include only that portion of the Pickett property included in the homestead and lot adjoining it on Clayton Street. To the rear of this property, facing on Molton Street, are two other properties, both of which are occupied by descendants of the former owner, but which are not included in the property about to be purchased.
The Pickett homestead is one of the historic properties in Montgomery. Antedating the present Capitol Building of the State, it was built by Col. John P. Figh in 1849 and for many years occupied by him and his family as a residence. This man was also the builder of the present Capitol building, which was constructed after the first Capitol had been destroyed by fire in 1849 and which was not completed until November, 1851, more than two years after the builder had moved into his own home.
It was not until 1858 that the property passed into the hands of the Picketts. In that year, Col. Albert J. Pickett, who was then living at Pickett Springs, purchased the house and the land adjoining from Col. Figh. The failing health of the prominent historian, however, prevented him from moving to his new residence, and he died in October of that year, without having set foot in the house which was to be his family's home for so many years.
Shortly after his death, however, the Pickett family entered the homestead, and from then until 1894 it was occupied by his descendants.
The old homestead has occupied a prominent position in the social
life of the city. For many years it was known as a place of
hospitable welcome, and many persons eminent in the South and the
nation have been guests within its walls. Among those who have
tasted of the hospitality it
extended were
Gen. J. B. Hood, Gen. Braxton Bragg, Governor
Zebulon B. Vance of North Carolina and his brother, Robert B.
Vance, Gen. LeRoy Pope Walker, Judge R. C. Brickle, C. C. Clay,
and Mrs. Clay-Clopton, the novelist, and others almost equally as
well known.
Only one wedding of the Pickett family was held in the home. That was when the marriage of Miss Corinne Pickett to Edward B. Randolph was celebrated in 1866 at the close of the Civil War. The other sons and daughters of Col. Pickett were all married in the church.
Among those who lived in the homestead for a number of years were Col. William R. Pickett, the efficient Quartermaster General of the State of Alabama during the War of Secession, and Col. M. L. Wood, who, during the term of the Legislature just preceding the war, was one of those who voted for the provisional measure directing the Governor of the State, in the event of the election of a Republican President, to call the conference which later passed the Ordinance of Secession.
The widow of Col. Pickett died in 1894, and after that time the home was broken up. It is now occupied by Mrs. Francis Haynie. The Barnes School, which is at present located at the corner of Church and Catoma Streets, was established in 1856 by J. M. Barnes, the father of the present principal. From the date of its founding until eight years ago it was located at Highland Home, coming to Montgomery in 1899. At present it has an enrollment of some eighty students, the majority of whom are from this city. Before occupying the new quarters, the Pickett homestead will be remodeled and extensive repairs made. The school will enter the homestead in October, when the lease of the present occupant expires.
