HISTORIC BUILDINGS ON NORTH HULL STREET in MONTGOMERY, AL.


THE CAPITAL BUILDING AT THE HEAD OF DEXTER AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Several years ago, The Montgomery Chapter of AIA toured the capital while it was being restored.  Visible under the grand winding stairs were the hand hewn timbers cantilevered from the thick masonry walls.  This is now covered and finely finished.  At the end of the tour from the upper floor I discovered a small door in the wall that was unlocked. Looking in I discovered a narrow winding stair circling upward to a trap door in the walkway behind the clock. Of course I had to explore, just I've done since my teenage years when I was constantly climbing around old buildings looking for the most interesting places.  Opening the trap door I found myself on the balcony surrounding the stained glass windows, behind the clock and the metal rail.  On the northeast side there is a small ladder between two windows and not very noticeable from below.  That ladder leads up to the underside of the overhang above the stained glass windows. At the top of the ladder is a locked scuttle that leads into the dome framing.  The dome has heavy curved timbers of the ceiling and then the heavy curved timbers of the dome roof.  From that attic area between the two is a small door that opens out upon the small ledge at the bottom edge of the dome.  That door was cracked when I entered below, but a workman opened it and startled me terribly.  He laughed and asked if I wanted to climb up on the dome with them where they were working.  I climbed out and looked up the large curved surface at their climbing ropes and since I couldn't even see the top from that angle I said "No thanks!"  He grinned and as said suit yourself. I had my camera and took some photographs from there though before climbing back down.  It was quite an experience.  The view of Montgomery and the river is awesome.

MONTGOMERY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS TOUR OF HISTORIC "OLD ALABAMA TOWN"


Kiwanis Park in Old Alabama Town
After a simple lunch at the Loeb Reception Center visible in the rear on Columbus Street, attending members of the Montgomery Chapter of the American Institute of Architects "enjoy" the heat while listening to the brief overview of our street tour.

450 N. Hull Street in Old Alabama Town is the Ware-Farley House which is a good example of Italianate Architecture built in the early 1850's.  This lovely old home now houses the Alabama Council of School Administrators & Supervisors.
 



412 N. Hull Street in Old Alabama Town is the Lakin House.  This lovely old home now houses the Montgomery Area Community Foundation & Rigsby Investment Co., Inc..


410 N. Hull Street - The Haigler House.  Mr. & Mrs. Haigler built the wing to the left for their own living while their children's rooms were upstairs in the main house on the right.


Here we are listening to the speaker tell about the historic buildings of Old Alabama Town.  This visit counts as time toward our continuing education points. Architects in Alabama led the nation in the requirements for continuing education required each year to keep current in the profession.  Points are required in several areas.  The study of historic buildings teaches many values of lasting beauty and sound construction.

324 Hull Street  - This corner house is currently being renovated.  We marched through and remarked at the soundness of the cross layered floors.  Two layers of pine boards were placed at opposite diagonals and the finished flooring installed on top of them.  This make for a very strong floor underneath and braces the house diagonally.  If you go to the coast after a hurricane you can see the value of old construction when many stick framed houses have little left.  Diagonal boards were often used under the finish siding also.

The group pauses in front of 309 N. Hull Street in the shade of an old oak. Out of the the direct sun in 98 degree weather they  listen to more descriptions of history.  Many of the buildings are in their original locations along this block.  Many others in the neighborhood were moved in for their particular value of style and type.


309 N. Hull Street is the address of the DeWolf-Cooper Cottage built in 1856.  Imagine the time it took with hand tools to cut these boards into the same elaborate pattern.  Think to of the pride in workmanship these carpenters and craftsmen felt when the building was complete.  Today there's not as much opportunity for self-satisfaction, but it is possible.  An architect in the design can put some fun and joy and craftsmanship into their building.  Most clients just can't afford a lot of extra man-hours spent on hand crafted items.


Here the graceful interplay of details both repetitive and unique, all together in an almost musical composition.  Did I hear a flute and calliope of woodwinds? Without rap and heavy metal they seemed to march to the beat of a different drummer.


Here's a view of the gazebo in the back yard.  Can you imagine sitting here sipping iced tea or mint julep on an early summer evening.


301 N. Hull Street is the Bush Cottage, a lovely place with nice colors and whimsical charm.


310 North Hull Street is the old Lucas Tavern on the corner as seen here from the Hull Street Side.


231  N. Hull Street is the new site for the old Young House built in 1825.  This now houses Amy's Young House Restaurant, which is a great place to dine when visiting historic Old Alabama Town.  A few blocks southwest of this old portion of Montgomery is the new AmSouth Bank Tower, the tallest building in Montgomery.


230  N. Hull Street is the historic Ordeman Town House Complex. .


This is the Garden Yard beside the Ordeman House and the many out-buildings of the complex.


220 N. Hull Street is the Campbell-Holtzclaw House built in 1852.


This is the back side view of 401 Madison Avenue, The Montgomery Visitors Center.

(I hope soon to visit the other buildings to include them in this page.)

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