Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association

November Meeting

2010-11-11T16:15:00.002-06:00

This month's meeting will be held on Tuesday November 16 at 7:00 at the home of Bill Aroosian and Jeff Solomon at 145 Waverly Circle in Bessemer.

Please join us as we will be electing the officers for 2011, and discussing several other important projects and issues, including the upcoming garden workday.

October meeting

2010-10-12T13:27:00.002-05:00

The October meeting of the BHHA will be on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 5:00 at the A. S. Leader house in Brighton. This meeting will precede a children's Halloween party and then an adult Halloween party so come in costume.

The Leader house was built in 1904 and is now the home of Michael Turner and Dean Williams.

September meeting

2010-09-16T14:15:00.003-05:00

The September meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be on September 21, 2010 at 7:00 at the home of Russ and Martha Brown, 4056 Lakewood Drive, Bessemer.

This is the Brown's second time to host this year, and the BHHA is very appreciative.

The home was built in 1928 by George Rutledge, who was a former mayor of Bessemer (1912-1914).

August meeting (date change)

2010-08-13T15:00:00.005-05:00

The date for the August meeting has been changed. At 7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 18, 2010, the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will meet at the historic Scott-Vines house located at 422 Owen Avenue.

The home is owned by Jonathan Edmondson but was built by Pinkney Scott in 1899.

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.

Join us on Wednesday, August 20.

July 2010 meeting

2010-07-11T13:42:00.004-05:00

The July 2010 meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be at John and Rita Neely's home, at 7:00 PM on July 20, 2010.

The Sears-Schilleci home at 100 Waverly Drive was built in 1949. This home is truly one of a kind and has been described as a mix of Tudor and Cape Cod architecture. The home was custom built with imported Italian marble and stained glass.

June 2010 meeting

2010-06-07T12:39:00.002-05:00

This month's meeting will be at the home of Sarah Beasley at 431 Woodland Rd, Bessemer, AL 35020, at 7:00 on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Come and join us.

May 2010 meeting

2010-05-11T11:36:00.004-05:00

The May 18, 2010 meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be at the home of Adam and Erica Young, at 414 Owen Avenue.

The folk Victorian farmhouse was built c. 1900 and has been the home for several families since.

The home is adjacent to Jonesboro Community Garden, a project of BHHA and other organizations and businesses.

April 2010 meeting

2010-04-01T11:20:00.004-05:00

The April meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be on April 20, 2010 at 7:00 at the home of Russ and Martha Brown, 4056 Lakewood Drive, Bessemer.

Please join us.

This home was built in 1928 by George Rutledge, who was a former mayor of Bessemer (1912-1914).

March 2010 meeting

2010-03-02T13:49:00.004-06:00

The March 2010 meeting will be held at 7:00 at the home of Richard and Lisa Hanna, on March 16. The home is located in Historic Lakewood Estates at 108 Waverly Circle. The home is one of the newer homes in the neighborhood, proving two things.

Historic neighborhoods can include homes built more recently and this home fits in the neighborhood nicely.

You can be a member of the BHHA without owning a historic home. You just need to have an interest in and support the preservation and restoriation of such homes.

Join us on March 16, 2010.

February 2010 meeting

2010-02-05T14:55:00.005-06:00

The February 2010 meeting will be held at the home of Bill and Phyllis Lazenby, 917 Westlake Blvd in Bessemer, at 7:00 on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

This is Fat Tuesday. Happy Mardi Gras!

January 2010 meeting

2010-01-18T13:30:00.003-06:00

The January 2010 meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be at John and Rita Neely's home, at 7:00 PM on January 19, 2010.

The Sears-Schilleci home at 100 Waverly Drive was built in 1949. This home is truly one of a kind and has been described as a mix of Tudor and Cape Cod architecture. The home was custom built with imported Italian marble and stained glass.

November 2009 BHHA Meeting

2009-11-10T14:04:00.002-06:00

The November 2009 meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be at the George Rutledge house, home of Russ and Martha Brown, located at 4056 Lakewood Drive, on November 17 at 7 pm.

This house was built in 1928, and was the former home of George Rutledge, who was a banker, civic leader and former mayor of Bessemer (1912-1914).

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, and was one of the "Original Seven" Lakewood Estates" homes.

October 2009 meeting

2009-09-24T15:54:00.005-05:00

The October meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be held at the historic W. H. Lewis house at 4026 Lakewood Drive, currently the home of David Smith and Michelle Stallworth Smith, at 7:00 PM on October 20, 2009.

Read some history associated with this home here.

September 2009

2009-08-27T16:09:00.008-05:00

The September meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be held at the Bessemer Hall of History on September 15, 2009 at 7:00 PM. The Hall is at 1905 Alabama Avenue.

Ticket photo credit: Bham Rails

Read about the Hall of History here.

Photo credit: Backroads driver at Flickr

Just for fun, here's the scale model that was displayed at the NMRA Southeastern Region Convention held in Bessemer in 2004. Bob Beaty built the model.

Photo credit: wrecking crew

August 2009 meeting

2009-08-15T09:22:00.004-05:00

The August meeting of the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association will be held at the Kuchins house, located at 4050 Lakewood Drive, at 7:00PM on August 18, 2009.

The 1929 Tudor is currently the home of Clay and Ally Leonard.

July Meeting

2009-07-14T21:02:00.001-05:00

The July BHHA meeting is being changed from the Birmingham Library to Gary and Sarah Smith's house.
431 Woodland Rd
Bessemer, AL 35020

Tuesday, May 19th Meeting

2009-05-11T09:04:00.003-05:00

Hosted by Jonathan and Kyle.
At the Scott-Vines House.
7:00 PM
422 Owen Avenue

The Sears-Schillaci Home (1949)

2009-02-11T10:10:00.001-06:00

The Sears- Schillaci home at 100 Waverly Drive was built in 1949. This home is truly one of a kind and has been described as a mix of Tudor and Cape Cod architecture. The home was custom built with imported Italian marble and stained glass.
John and Rita Neely are the current owners.

July Meeting Update

2008-07-11T10:07:00.002-05:00

The July 15 meeting is now at Jason Bunett's house.

213 19th Street South (between Berkeley and Clarendon)

May Meeting

2008-05-03T22:07:00.003-05:00

The May 20th meeting will be hosted by Russ and Martha Brown at the George Rutledge House, 4056 Lakewood Drive.
Please join us at 7:00.

April Meeting - NEW LOCATION

2008-04-11T14:06:00.006-05:00

April's meeting will be at the Downtown Entreprenurial Center
401 19th Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020

Jeff Traywick of the Bessemer Development Board will give us an overview of the new Master Plan for Downtown Bessemer.

In March, the City of Bessemer Downtown Redevelopment Authority in conjunction with the Bessemer Development Board released the completed master plan for downtown Bessemer. This plan was developed by Auburn University's Urban Study during the later months of 2007.

You can download a copy of the plan here: Bessemer.biz

March Meeting

2008-03-09T20:43:00.003-05:00

The March 18th meeting will be hosted by Drew and Maria Ammons at the Huey-Shaw house.
Please join us at 7:00.
1700 Dartmouth Avenue (corner of Dartmouth and 17th Street South).

IT's a BABY GIRL
Time to Celebrate and Welcome the newest BHHA member: Drew and Maria's BABY GIRL!
Please join us in showering our host and hostess with diapers and wipes.

December Holiday Party

2007-11-08T20:49:00.000-06:00

The December meeting will be a holiday party, hosted by Carole Marks at Hillcrest (7th Street and Owen Avenue). Please join us Saturday, December 15 at 6:00 PM.

Bessemer Commercial

2007-11-08T19:18:00.000-06:00

This television commercial promoting Bessemer was sponsored by BHHA, Town & Country Ford, and Watermark Place.

Huey-Shaw House (c. 1900)

2007-10-01T00:39:00.000-05:00

Two-story Early Eclectic house with basement; high hipped roof with lower cross-gables; deep flat eaves with dentil blocks and paired console brackets. Double teardrop siding on brick wall foundation; full-facade and wrapping projecting hipped porch supported by fluted columns with Ionic capitals on brick pier bases, post ballustrade. Windows are 1-over-1 sash, the large one on the front with lozenge mullion inset; three interior brick chimneys, main one with drip courses. Single entry with sidelights and transom; upper door onto porch roof has narrow 1-over-1 sidelights; original roof balustrade now missing.
Restored in 1996 and in very fine condition. The current owners, Drew and Maria Ammons plan to restore the home to it's original state.

Bentley House (1928)

2007-09-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

The historic Bentley House was built in 1928 and sits at 2084 Cherry Avenue in Hueytown on a corner lot, and is owned by Jason Kirby and Benjamin Faucher. Its construction began on July 20, 1928 and finished by September 20, 1928. The home is listed on the Jefferson County Historical Commission register as the Bentley House, plaque #1216. It was originally the home of Mr. Bela Earnest Bentley and Mrs. Ida Belle Bentley. Both were educators in Jefferson County, and key people in the Hueytown Community. Mr. Bentley served as teacher and principal at numerous local schools, an avid gardener, and was a deacon at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Hueytown. One of the stained glass windows at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church near front alter is in memory of Bela Bentley and was put up by Mrs. Bentley after his death in 1948. Mrs. Ida Bentley taught elementary school from (1909-1963) nearly 48 years at the following locations: Alliance, Crumley Chapel, Republic, Trafford, Shannon, Hueytown, Muscoda and Concord. She died one month before her 104th birthday. Mrs. Bentley lived over 50 years in the house on Cherry Avenue before selling it. Both are buried at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Hueytown. The current house sits on 1 acre of land, but at first the Bentley family had a farm with 10 lots of land. As Mr. & Mrs. Bentley got older, they sold lots of land down to what you see today. Seven of the ten lots were re-named the Ida Belle Bentley sub-division in December 1959. The original land goes back to the Huey family which was one of the founding families of Hueytown.

The Bentley house is a historic cottage style brick veneer, one story house with three bedrooms and one bath. The key architectural element that we have found in the house is the arch. The outside fireplace has a square carved nook on the top, and a carved arched nook on the bottom. The entrance of the house has a bricked-in sun porch with bead board ceiling, distinguished crown molding, arched windows, and two sets of arched screen doors. The house initially had open brick arched windows, and later the home owners installed encasement windows, with hand cracks. This sun porch leads to a side bricked patio, which leads to the kitchen from the outside. All of the floors throughout the house are the original hardwood, and all of the doors have the original glass doorknobs. All of the walls are the old plaster from 1928. The living room has an oversized, wood burning fireplace with decorative tile surround with arch opening, and two flanking candlestick sconces on each side. On top of nearly each window, are the original wood cornice boxes with scallop carvings: seven total. There are arched doorways all through the house. The kitchen has an early farmhouse cast iron country sink with two flanking drain boards built in, and an old horseshoe nailed above the backdoor as a sign of good luck. The bathroom has the original cast iron tub and pedestal sink, with a vintage basket weave tile floor, and vintage wooden medicine cabinet. There is a built in secretary in the hallway. Throughout the house are the original oversized floor vents, and a old furnace switch still intact. In one of the bedrooms, there is a charming built-in ironing board, made of wood, with the sheet cover, sleeve press and ironing pillow intact. Most of the doors, trim and windows throughout the house have never been painted, and are the original dark wood. Jason and Ben are currently restoring the Bentley House, and doing lots of yard work.

August Meeting Announcement

2007-08-05T18:19:00.000-05:00

The August BHHA meeting will be at Sunny Lippert's loft at 1820 3rd Avenue North (next door to the Realty Building and Bright Star.

BHHA Pool Party

2007-07-25T22:02:00.001-05:00

July Meeting Announcement (Pool Party!!)

2007-07-15T17:10:00.000-05:00

July's meeting will be SATURDAY, the 21st at 5:00 PM.
Cool off at Jonathan Edmondson and Kyle Pugh's pool at the Scott-Vines house.
422 Owen Avenue, Jonesboro

June Meeting at Sweet House

2007-06-17T23:56:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 meeting will be at the Sweet House, (corner of Arlington Avenue and 19th Street South).
Come and see this beautifully restored home, and learn more about preservation efforts in the Bessemer Area.
Learn more about the Sweet House and see photos of the home and garden at SweetHouseEvents.com.

April Meeting

2007-04-16T19:23:00.000-05:00

The April BHHA Meeting is at the home of Bill and Phyllis Lazenby.
917 Westlake Boulevard
Bessemer, AL 35020

Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm.

BHHA Members Featured in Birmingham News Feature

2007-04-01T15:51:00.000-05:00

Several BHHA members are included in the April 1, 2007 B'ham News front-page feature, "People Move in as Bessemer Booms."

Be sure to check it out for quotes from downtown resident and attorney, Sunny Lippert and Jonesboro homeowners, Adam and Erica Young.

The print edition also includes photos of Adam working on an Owen Avenue house (seen here, photo by Matthew Williams/Birmingham News), Third Avenue with David Nichols' beautifully restored offices, and the Cook family in front of the 1889 A. W. Houston House.

Thank you to The Birmingham News, staff writer Robert K. Gordon, and photographer Matthew Williams for such great coverage.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 20 at 7:00 pm

2007-03-17T11:01:00.000-05:00

Our March meeting is at the 1902 Ball House (1407 Minnesota Avenue), home of Bill Aroosian and Jeff Solomon.

The Bristow House (c. 1926)

2007-01-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

The Bristow House, a Mediterranean-influenced bungalow at 1901 Fairfax Avenue, was originally the home and office of a local doctor.
Built of orange-buff brick, the house has a hipped roof, broken by half-facade projections. These parapets reflect the irregular and informal roof forms of varying heights seen in Spanish Eclectic houses of the period. Red, Spanish tiles cover the roof.
The home is fronted by a generous terrace and sets of French doors under transoms.
Other notable details include six-over-six windows, a side-end exposed chimney set into a parapet, and large arch with stucco and mosaic in the front terrace wall.

Errett Home (c. 1895)

2007-01-08T13:29:00.000-06:00

Don and Jane Errett's home at 1925 Dartmouth Avenue is listed in the South Bessemer Inventory as the G.H. Stevenson House. This beautiful Queen Ann house with distinguishing two-storey corner turret and conical cap is standout in the neighborhood.
It has a high, clipped pyramidal roof with front-facing gabled cutaway bay, and smaller porch entry gable; ell and wrapping porch supported by round columns; vinyl siding over original double teardrop boards on brick foundation; various decorative wood shingling in gable faces and on turret; windows 1-over-1 sash, and one bay window of a large single light with overlight. Large flat-profile interior chimneys, unusual for this style house, now stuccoed.
Commonly believed to have been built by G.H. Stevenson, superintendent of the Bessemer Water Works; but one source notes that he bought the property from E. E. Vining in 1904. In any case, like so many others, he lost his house in the Depression.
The Erretts are restoring the home.

W. A. Simmons House (c. 1898)

2006-10-31T21:05:00.000-06:00

The cross-gabled, ell cottage at 2030 Clarendon Avenue boasts a full-facade and wrapped porch that appears to have been a later remodeling of the original one. The front-facing wing is a cutaway bay with shingling in the gable face and novelty board siding. Original 1-over-1 sash windows are still intact.

William A. Simmons was a grocer and dry-goods merchant in Bessemer.

The current owners, James Pierce and Mary Self, are restoring the property.

The Stapp House

2006-10-31T20:06:00.000-06:00

The Stapp Home, at 206 Stapp Avenue SW, is in a small section of unincorporated Jefferson County along 4th Avenue between Lakewood Estates and Jess Lanier High School.
The home features many hallmarks of the Craftsman style including a low-pitched roof (in this case, front-gabled); a full-width porch supported by square, brick columns extending from ground level on the corners, and square brick piers and battered columns flanking the front steps. The main roof extends over the porch
The owner hasn't been able to confirm the building date and suspects that the home was built in stages. The original owners of the house and much of the surrounding property was the Stapp Family. The Stapp brothers were owners of a butcher shop in Birmingham that they either moved to Bessemer or opened another shop in downtown Bessemer. They built the house from what appears to be salvaged planks and tongue/groove boards so the walls, ceilings, floors, etc. are all wood.
The house was sold to the Atchinson family at some point and they lived there for over 50 years. In subsequent years the land around the Stapp home was sold and built on but the home site still sits on about 1 acre.
Jennifer Prince purchased the property in Aug 2003 and is renovating the home.

The Brasher Home (ca. 1895)

2006-10-31T19:41:00.000-06:00

The Victorian home at 233 Owen Avenue in Jonesboro was originally built by W.H. Lewis in the 1890s. The home is listed on the Jefferson County Historic Register as the Hoster House. In 1901 a photo of the house was featured in a special edition of The Bessemer Weekly along with a brief bio of Louis Hoster. Mr. Hoster was President and Treasurer of the Bessemer Foundry and Machine Company.
On of the home's finest features is a wrap-around porch supported with 13 columns. The house is 3 levels with a staircase leading from the foyer to the second level, and stairs to the 3rd floor. Original pine floors remain in the foyer, living room & dining room. Kitchen, rear foyer and bath floors have been updated with tile.
The 3900 square foot home has 7 fireplaces with mantels. The mantels in the foyer, living room & dining room have very ornate carving, and have been completely refinished. The house has crown molding in 7 rooms. Ceilings are 12 ft. high.
The home is beautifully landscaped with a garden in back yard has walkways entering to center where there is a 15-foot, 5-tier fountain falling into a round pond. The gardens also feature a 12 x 24 gazebo. Walkways all around house with a garden on the left side of the house.
Terry and Anita Brasher purchased the home in 1993.

The Ball House (1902)

2006-10-31T19:13:00.000-06:00

The Ball House at 1407 Minnesota Avenue is one of six remaining houses on Minnesota Avenue with the same history. Commissioned by Don H. Bacon, Chairman of Tennessse Coal and Iron Company in 1901 they were designed by Birmingham's leading architectual firm of the time Wheelock, Joy and Wheelock at the cost of $1,805.00 each. This row of 7 "Queen Anne" style frame houses, sometimes called "Silk Stocking Row" were built by Birmingham contractor C. D. Ratliffe. The houses were built to house the families and the management of The Muscoda Mines - the largest in the Birmingham District.
Before moving to the area, Edwin Ball was manager of the Minnesota Iron Company. He became general manager of TCI's ore mines.
Jefferson County plaque number 1028, Superintendants House. Built in 1902. Master write up in the BHHA archive.
Bill Aroosian and Jeff Solomon are restoring the home.

BHHA Home Tour: Lakewood Estates

2006-10-27T09:23:00.000-05:00

The Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association announces the 2006 Bessemer Tour of Historical Homes of Lakewood Estates. We will be "Showcasing Our Community" by opening up some of our homes to promote Bessemer and this special community and its history and people.

WHEN: Saturday, October 28th 1pm - 5pm
Sunday, October 29th 1pm - 5pm
WHERE: Historic Lakewood Estates district of Bessemer.
TICKETS: $10 donation per ticket. Donations for tickets can be made at the time of the tour or in advance by calling Jane Errett, home tour co-chairperson at 426-9336

Historic Lakewood Estates was established in 1925 by Mr. William Harper Lewis, Bessemer banker and civic figure. He was very active in the early development of Bessemer. The neighborhood now consists of 75 homes the majority of which date from 1926 to the mid-1960’s. The “Original Seven” homes, dating from 1926-1929, were built by friends and colleagues of Mr. Lewis. Four of the original homes will be on tour.

Many local residents have fond memories of Lakewood: the duck pond, Christmas decorations during the holidays, and Easter egg hunts. Over the past eighty years Lakewood has remained an active neighborhood. Today Lakewood is home to some of the original residents as well as young families.

Properties that will be open for the tour include:
The Hanna Home (1987)
108 Waverly Circle (Richard and Lisa Hanna)

The Rutledge Home (1928)
4056 Lakewood Drive (Russ and Martha Brown)

The Sears-Schillaci Home (1949)
100 Waverly Drive (Anthony and Bess Richey)

The Kuchins Home (1929)
4050 Lakewood Drive (Clay and Ally Leonard)

The Lewis Home (1927)
4026 Lakewood Drive (David Smith)

The Perry Home (1927)
4010 Lakewood Drive (Emmett and Debbie Godfrey)

October Meeting Announcement

2006-10-17T14:56:00.000-05:00

BHHA's October meeting will be SATURDAY, October 21st 7pm.
It's a Halloween Party at the A.S. Leader House, home of Dean Williams and Michael Turner.
Come in costume!!!
Bring a specialty drink if you wish.
5117 MAIN STREET, BRIGHTON, AL 35020

"Hillcrest," The E. L. Huey House (1908)

2006-08-22T23:04:00.000-05:00

The Marks Home at 305 7th Street South is a Jonesboro landmark. E.L. Huey built the classic American Foursquare in 1908 and named it "Hillcrest."
The home features most hallmarks of the Foursquare including a low-pitched pyramidal roof with widely overhanging eaves, two stories with a one story wing, and an asymmetrical porch with massive square supports.
An eclectic detail sets the home apart from others of the same style. The porch entry is a striking, buff brick archway that rises above the porch roofline. The arch is mirrored in a semi-circular fanlight gracing the front door.
Mr. Huey came to the city from Marion Alabama in 1887, the year Bessemer was incorporated. He and Chambers McAdory founded the E.L. Huey Furniture Company in 1905. The first location of E.L. Huey Furniture was on Second Avenue between 19th and 20th Streets. It was moved to 1919 3rd Avenue in 1907 and remained a fixture in Bessemer for decades.

August Meeting Announcement

2006-07-18T21:31:00.000-05:00

BHHA's August 15 meeting at the Henry W. Sweet House will begin at 6:00 PM.
Please join us for a sneak preview of this remarkable home's restoration.
David Nichols will be on hand to answer questions about the property, the work he and his family are doing, and plans for this area landmark.
Also, Robert Gamble, senior architectural historian for the Alabama Historical Commission and author of The Alabama Catalog: Historic American Buildings Survey : A Guide to the Early Architecture of the State and Historic Architecture in Alabama: A Guide to Styles and Types, 1810-1930 will be at the meeting.
Photo courtesy of The Bessemer Hall of History.

The Hanna Home (1987)

2006-07-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hanna's home at 108 Waverly Circle is the newest in Lakewood.
The Georgian style home was built in 1987. It is located on a double lot that preserves many of the original hardwood trees of the area and is accented by attractive landscaping. The 4 bedroom, 2 1⁄2 bath home has large, spacious rooms. The main level has 9 foot ceilings with attractive crown moldings and chair rails in most of the rooms.

The Perry Home (1927)

2006-07-17T10:33:00.000-05:00

One of the original seven Lakewood homes, this classic English Tudor was built in 1927. The house located at 4010 Lakewood Drive sits on 5 acres overlooking the lake and meadow. The 6,000 square foot house underwent major renovations in 1985 when it was purchased by Debby and Emmett Godfrey. The original hardwood and Italian tile floors and exposed ceiling beams contribute to the charm of this old beauty.

The W. H. Lewis Home (1927)

2006-07-17T10:24:00.000-05:00

This Prairie style home at 4026 Lakewood Drive was the first home built in Lakewood. Original owner, W. H. Lewis, was was a civic leader, President of the First National Bank of Bessemer, and founder of Lakewood Estates.
The home is currently being renovated by David Smith.
Upon entering, the grandness of the house is seen in its gracious floor plan, lovely staircase, and original walnut doors and trim. The property overlooks the lake and has a breathtaking view. The house has approximately 6400 square fee and has had two additions since it was built.
Refreshments and restrooms are available at the house during the Lakewood Home Tour.

The Kuchins Home (1929)

2006-07-17T10:14:00.000-05:00

One of Lakewood Estates' original homes, this classic Tudor at 4050 Lakewood Drive was built in 1929 for Charles R. Kuchins. Kuchins was a state bank examiner and son-in-law of W. H. Lewis.
Unique iron details are found throughout the house on doors, banisters, and railings. There are lovely arched doorways with original doors. An Italian tile fireplace is the focal point of the living room The home also features a large renovated kitchen.
Clay and Ally Leonard are the current owners.

The Young House (c. 1900)

2006-06-11T15:11:00.000-05:00

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.

The George Rutledge House (1928)

2006-06-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

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!

The Scott-Vines House (c. 1899)

2006-06-09T19:16:00.000-05:00

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.

A. S. Leader House (1904)

2006-05-29T17:17:00.000-05:00

A. S. Leader, a contractor and developer, built this fanciful, frame cottage in 1904. The late-American Queen Anne Victorian home boasts a corner tower with date of construction flanked by patterned shingles.

The Leader House is located at 5117 Main Street in Brighton and is owned by Michael Turner. The property has been featured on HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk."

Here's some background on Brighton, adapted from The Birmingham District: An Industrial History and Guide.
The town of Brighton grew up along the streetcar line connecting Birmingham and Bessemer. By 1901, at least 100 families were living in Brighton. According to a special edition Bessemer Weekly published that year, this "populous and comparatively new suburb" started in 1892, when G.B. Edwards divided a tract of land and sold lots at a good price and on easy terms. When desired, Edwards constructed dwellings for prospective owners, selling them on monthly installments.
By 1910 the incorporated town had a population of 500, 17 commercial establishments, and dozens of handsome frame houses constructed of sturdy, native Alabama pine. Home construction spread along the North Bessemer car line and the old Huntsville Road. The first Hill Grocery Store built outside of Birmingham was constructed at Madison Station. A. S. Leader induced Hill to locate the store here as part of his residential subdivision of the area.
The graves of many early settlers of Scottish, English, and German descent who came to work for Woodward Iron Company remain in the old Brighton Cemetery on Woodward Road.

The Honeycutt House (c. 1907)

2006-05-29T17:03:00.000-05:00

This Tudor-inspired bungalow at 213 19th Street South was one of the earliest brick-constructed residences in South Highlands.
A recessed porch spans the 40-foot facade and and shelters the transom- and- sidelight entry. Half- timbering and stucco in the gable face are currently obscured by gray paint. Large 1-over-1 sash windows and awning basement lights are set in segmental-arches. The rear enclosed porch has 4-over-4 sash windows and double teardrop siding.
The home's back porch and original hipped-roof can been seen in a 1909 panoramic photo of the neighborhood.
Bessemer artist, Jason Burnett, began renovating the property in 2004.

Henry W. Sweet House (c. 1906)

2006-05-29T17:01:00.000-05:00

Designed by architect William E. Benns, the Sweet House is one of Bessemer's most substantial residential properties. Located at 1830 Arlington Avenue, this Queen Ann Neoclassical structure features two colossal porticoes and an octagonal corner turret. Situated on a corner lot, the building is two stories with two street facades (one facing Arlington, the other facing 19th Street). Matching entries on both faces feature stained glass transoms and sidelights.
Details of the structure include double-teardrop weatherboard siding on a brick wall foundation; a lofty hipped roof with cross-gabled two-storey porticoes with galleries; and pedimented stuccoed gables with plain entablatures, supported by massive Corinthian columns. The lower porch roof wraps both street facades and is supported by smaller columns of similar Corinthian style. The corner turret is shingled on a third storey that rises above the eave-line, and is crowned by a finial.

In recent years the property has been threatened by neglect. After remaning in the Sweet family for 100 years the home was sold to local preservationist, David Nichols. Mr. Nichols and his family have begun an extensive restoration.

See the Sweet House coverage in the Birmingham News at AL.com.

2009 BHHA Meetings and Events

2006-05-28T10:35:00.007-05:00

Assocation meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Please join us! See the schedule below.

Meeting Dates, Host(s) and Locations:
January - Jason Burnett
February - John and Rita Neely
March 17 - Bill & Phyllis Lazenby
April 21 - Jason Kirby & Ben Faucher
May 19 - Jonathan Edmondson and Kyle Pugh
June 16 - Adam and Erica Young
July 21 - Birmingham Public Library
August 18 - Clay and Ally Leonard
September 15 - Wilma and Henry Mayweather
October 20 - David Smith & Michelle Stallworth Smith
November 17 - Russ & Martha Brown
December - OPEN

BHHA Information and Membership

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BHHA was organized in 1995 by residents in the Jonesboro area of Bessemer. Since then, the association has grown to include members from nearly every historic neighborhood in the city and several from surrounding areas.
Please visit an upcoming meeting and consider joining the Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association.

2009 BHHA Officers
President: Jason Burnett
Vice President: Jason Kirby
Secretary: Wilma Mayweather
Treasurer: John Neely
Board Member at Large: Scott Scoggins
Board Member at Large: Sunny Lippert

Membership

Annual dues are $20 per household and can be mailed to:

Treasurer
BHHA
P. O. Box 1761
Bessemer, AL 35020

The Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Source Material for HistoricBessemer.org

2006-05-05T23:39:00.000-05:00

Home descriptions and photos on the BHHA site come from a variety of sources.
We especially appreciate the following:

The Birmingham District: An Industrial History and Guide, Marjorie Longenecker White. The Birmingham Historical Society, 1981.

South Bessemer Inventory. An unpublished research project in progress.

2004 Bessemer Tour of Historical Homes, Jonesboro/Owen Avenue. Brochure published by the BHHA.

2005 Bessemer Tour of Historical Homes, South Highlands, Christmas in Bessemer. Brochure published by the BHHA.

A Field Guide to American Houses, Virginia and Lee McAlester. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

The Bessemer Weekly, Special Illustrated Edition. 1901. Reprinted by the Bessemer Hall of History.

The Bessemer Hall of History, 1905 Alabama Avenue, Bessemer, AL 35020

And of course, the first-hand descriptions, photos, and research done by the homeowners!

Contact BHHA

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Bessemer Historical Homeowners' Association

BHHA
P. O. Box 1761
Bessemer, AL 35021

Email: BessemerHHA@yahoo.com