Sunday, June 11, 2006

The Young House (c. 1900)

Since it was built around the turn of the century, many families have called the Folk Victorian farmhouse at 414 Owen Avenue home. The house has a gable front and wing, with a two-tiered porch in the L.
Most homes of this vintage and style have wooden porch supports (either square posts or Queen Anne-type turned spindles), but the lower tier here has square, brick columns. These may have been added with the second story after a fire destroyed much of the original wood-frame house.
Adam and Erica Young are the most recent owners and have made a number of improvements to the home, which features many fireplaces and refinished heart-pine flooring.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The George Rutledge House (1928)

The George Rutledge home at 4056 Lakewood Drive is one of the "Original Seven" Lakewood Estates houses.

This high-style American Foursquare retains outstanding vintage details including entrance doors with beveled glass sidelights, 9-over-1 sash windows, beautiful interior woodwork, and the original bath fixtures and tile.
Mr. Rutledge was a banker, civic leader, and former mayor of Bessemer (1912-1914). He lived in the home until 1942.
The home is owned by Russ and Martha Brown.

Update - 10/22/06: Rutledge House featured in the Birmingham News!

Friday, June 09, 2006

The Scott-Vines House (c. 1899)

The Scott-Vines House (c. 1899) at 422 Owen Avenue, Jonesboro, is owned by Jonathan Edmondson and Kyle Pugh. This grand, Queen Anne Victorian, built by Bessemer attorney Pinkney Scott, is a Bessemer landmark.
A charming, slender, three-story turret distinquishes the home. The structure has a traditional roof form, hipped with cross gables. It features large rooms, leaded glass, and large porches overlooking the gardens. The porch is two-tiered, with the upper level facing Owen Avenue, and the lower wrapping around the tower corner. Attractive bands of scalloped and diamond shingles remain on the tower.