Cullum, George W., House
a.k.a. Jones House;Caffey House
1915 Old County Rd., Daphne, ALThe George W, Cullum House is significant under National Register Criterion C as one of the finest Gulf Coast/Greek Revival houses in Baldvirin County. Its formal arrangement and architectural details, including eared architrave door and window surrounds and marble mantels, are rare elements in a county dominated by the vernacular.
The house is further significant in its evolution from a Gulf Coast Cottage to a formal house with flanking wings, all tied together by the porches. This transformation from a vernacular to a higher style, while still remaining a summer house, is unprecedented in Baldwin County.
Despite these high style elements, the George W. Cullum House is well within the tradition of the Creole/Gulf Coast Cottage folk type. The Creole and Gulf Coast Cottages of Baldwin County are significant as distinctive regional forms of Alabama vernacular architecture. The Creole style is distinctive for its massed floor plan with no interior passageways, a French building preference, whereas the Gulf Coast Style is distinctive for its central hall and exterior chimneys, Eastern Seaboard influences.
The Creole Cottage derives from a long tradition stretching back to the 17th century houses in Normandy. French settlers in the West Indies and Canada added full length galleries and more steeply pitched gable roofs to the house form they had known in Europe and concentrations of these houses remain in New Orleans and Saint Genevieve, Missouri. These houses featured central chimneys, one on the front slope and one on the rear slope of the roof. The lack of interior passageways was one of the most distinctive features of the style; four interconnected square rooms with smaller "cabinets" at the rear, often containing a stairway to the half story. Benjamin Henry Latrobe commented on this plan in 1819 and rioted that the French employed their space to better advantage by excluding interior hallways. These Creole Cottages were popular in Mobile and New Orleans from 1790 to 1850 and continued to be built all along the Gulf Coast well into the 20th century.
Local significance of the building:
The house is further significant in its evolution from a Gulf Coast Cottage to a formal house with flanking wings, all tied together by the porches. This transformation from a vernacular to a higher style, while still remaining a summer house, is unprecedented in Baldwin County.
Despite these high style elements, the George W. Cullum House is well within the tradition of the Creole/Gulf Coast Cottage folk type. The Creole and Gulf Coast Cottages of Baldwin County are significant as distinctive regional forms of Alabama vernacular architecture. The Creole style is distinctive for its massed floor plan with no interior passageways, a French building preference, whereas the Gulf Coast Style is distinctive for its central hall and exterior chimneys, Eastern Seaboard influences.
The Creole Cottage derives from a long tradition stretching back to the 17th century houses in Normandy. French settlers in the West Indies and Canada added full length galleries and more steeply pitched gable roofs to the house form they had known in Europe and concentrations of these houses remain in New Orleans and Saint Genevieve, Missouri. These houses featured central chimneys, one on the front slope and one on the rear slope of the roof. The lack of interior passageways was one of the most distinctive features of the style; four interconnected square rooms with smaller "cabinets" at the rear, often containing a stairway to the half story. Benjamin Henry Latrobe commented on this plan in 1819 and rioted that the French employed their space to better advantage by excluding interior hallways. These Creole Cottages were popular in Mobile and New Orleans from 1790 to 1850 and continued to be built all along the Gulf Coast well into the 20th century.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
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.
Loading...
Alabama is home to the oldest baseball stadium in the United States. Rickwood Field, located in Birmingham, was built in 1910 and is still in use today.
About Baldwin County
Baldwin County Timeline
Baldwin County, AL, located on the Gulf Coast, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw, who relied on the abundant natural resources of the region for their livelihoods.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area and claimed it as part of their territory. They established settlements and missions, but their presence was short-lived as the French, British, and eventually the United States asserted control over the region. The county is named after Abraham Baldwin, a delegate from Georgia who signed the U.S. Constitution.
During the 19th century, Baldwin County became an important hub for shipping and commerce due to its strategic location and access to waterways. The towns of Daphne, Fairhope, and Bay Minette thrived as trading centers, attracting settlers from various backgrounds and cultures. The county also played a significant role in the Civil War, with some areas supporting the Confederacy and others remaining Unionist.
In the early 20th century, Baldwin County experienced a period of economic growth and development. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the region brought new opportunities, and agriculture, particularly the growth of timber and citrus, continued to be important industries. The county also became a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches and charming towns.
Today, Baldwin County remains a vibrant and growing community. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, experiencing a boom in residential and commercial development. The county's rich history and natural beauty continue to attract visitors and residents alike, making it a desirable place to live, work, and play.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area and claimed it as part of their territory. They established settlements and missions, but their presence was short-lived as the French, British, and eventually the United States asserted control over the region. The county is named after Abraham Baldwin, a delegate from Georgia who signed the U.S. Constitution.
During the 19th century, Baldwin County became an important hub for shipping and commerce due to its strategic location and access to waterways. The towns of Daphne, Fairhope, and Bay Minette thrived as trading centers, attracting settlers from various backgrounds and cultures. The county also played a significant role in the Civil War, with some areas supporting the Confederacy and others remaining Unionist.
In the early 20th century, Baldwin County experienced a period of economic growth and development. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the region brought new opportunities, and agriculture, particularly the growth of timber and citrus, continued to be important industries. The county also became a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches and charming towns.
Today, Baldwin County remains a vibrant and growing community. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, experiencing a boom in residential and commercial development. The county's rich history and natural beauty continue to attract visitors and residents alike, making it a desirable place to live, work, and play.
Baldwin County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Baldwin County, Alabama.
- 1800 - Baldwin County was established on December 21.
- 1809 - The county seat was established in Blakeley.
- 1868 - The county seat was moved to Daphne.
- 1901 - The county seat was moved to Bay Minette.
- 1907 - The first Baldwin County Courthouse was built in Bay Minette.
- 2005 - Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage in the county.
- 2010 - The population of Baldwin County exceeded 180,000 residents.