Shorter Mansion
340 N. Eufaula Ave., Eufaula, ALThe Shorter Mansion is recognized as _an outstanding example of Greco-Roman Classic Revival architecture in the South.
The house was built in 1906 by Eli Shorter, to replace an earlier (1884) structure which burned in 1900.
Eli Shorter was a member of the politically powerful Shorter family.He served four terms as a member of the House of Representatives from 1882-3, 1884-57 1886-7, and in 1888-9 as Speaker of the House. His family was one of the earliest families in the area and had long been prominent in politics. His father, Eli Sims Shorter,was politically active and served four years as a congressman; his uncle, John Gill Shorter served as a state senator, circuit judge and governor of Alabama from 1861-3.Other members of the family included the state's leading populist, Reuben Kolb, and a president of the Railroad Commission, at that time one of the most important departments of the state.
The house remained in the family until bought by the Eufaula Heritage Association in 1965. It has been restored and is used as a memorial to the six governors of Alabama who were either born or lived in Barbour County. It also serves as the headquarters for the Eufaula Heritage Association.
Local significance of the building:
The house was built in 1906 by Eli Shorter, to replace an earlier (1884) structure which burned in 1900.
Eli Shorter was a member of the politically powerful Shorter family.He served four terms as a member of the House of Representatives from 1882-3, 1884-57 1886-7, and in 1888-9 as Speaker of the House. His family was one of the earliest families in the area and had long been prominent in politics. His father, Eli Sims Shorter,was politically active and served four years as a congressman; his uncle, John Gill Shorter served as a state senator, circuit judge and governor of Alabama from 1861-3.Other members of the family included the state's leading populist, Reuben Kolb, and a president of the Railroad Commission, at that time one of the most important departments of the state.
The house remained in the family until bought by the Eufaula Heritage Association in 1965. It has been restored and is used as a memorial to the six governors of Alabama who were either born or lived in Barbour County. It also serves as the headquarters for the Eufaula Heritage Association.
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The city of Huntsville, Alabama played a key role in the United States space program during the Cold War. The Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, was the site of the development of the first ballistic missile, and later became the center of the U.S. Army's missile and rocket programs.
About Barbour County
Barbour County Timeline
Barbour County, located in southeastern Alabama, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1832. The region was originally inhabited by the Creek Native American tribe, until the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced them to relocate westward. The county was named after James Barbour, a U.S. senator and 18th-century Virginia governor.
In the early years, Barbour County's economy was predominantly driven by agriculture. Plantations were established, with cotton being the primary crop cultivated by enslaved African Americans. The county thrived during the antebellum period, but the Civil War brought significant changes. Barbour County experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, with battles taking place in nearby areas and the decline of the plantation system.
Following the war, Barbour County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy shifted to focus on timber, mining, and manufacturing, particularly with the establishment of sawmills. The railroad industry also played a crucial role in developing the county, linking it to other parts of Alabama and facilitating trade and transportation.
During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Barbour County became a site of significant activism and resistance. African Americans, led by prominent local leaders including William T. Baxley and J.L. Chestnut Jr., fought for equal rights and against racial segregation. These efforts led to notable achievements, such as the desegregation of public facilities and the increase in African American political representation.
Today, Barbour County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and forestry as important sectors of the local economy. The county's history is celebrated through various heritage festivals and events, reflecting the diverse cultures and influences that have shaped its past.
In the early years, Barbour County's economy was predominantly driven by agriculture. Plantations were established, with cotton being the primary crop cultivated by enslaved African Americans. The county thrived during the antebellum period, but the Civil War brought significant changes. Barbour County experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, with battles taking place in nearby areas and the decline of the plantation system.
Following the war, Barbour County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy shifted to focus on timber, mining, and manufacturing, particularly with the establishment of sawmills. The railroad industry also played a crucial role in developing the county, linking it to other parts of Alabama and facilitating trade and transportation.
During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Barbour County became a site of significant activism and resistance. African Americans, led by prominent local leaders including William T. Baxley and J.L. Chestnut Jr., fought for equal rights and against racial segregation. These efforts led to notable achievements, such as the desegregation of public facilities and the increase in African American political representation.
Today, Barbour County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and forestry as important sectors of the local economy. The county's history is celebrated through various heritage festivals and events, reflecting the diverse cultures and influences that have shaped its past.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Barbour County, Alabama.
- 1832 - Barbour County is created by an act of the Alabama State Legislature.
- 1833 - The county seat is established in Louisville, Alabama.
- 1834 - The first courthouse is completed in Louisville.
- 1863 - During the American Civil War, the county is occupied by Union troops.
- 1868 - The county seat is moved from Louisville to Clayton.
- 1893 - The first railroad, the Alabama Midland Railway, is completed in the county.
- 1903 - The town of Eufaula becomes the largest city in Barbour County.
- 1929 - The Great Depression begins, negatively affecting the county's economy.
- 1941 - Barbour County contributes soldiers to World War II.
- 1965 - Civil rights activism takes place in the county during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
- 2000 - Barbour County's population reaches its peak at over 29,000 residents.