Starke, Lewis, House
a.k.a. Shonts House;Delaney House
2103 Old County Rd., Daphne, ALThe Lewis Starke House is significant under National Register Criterion C as one of the finest Gulf Coast/Greek Revival Cottages in Baldwin County. Its octagonal columns, classical dormers, and eared architrave door and window surrounds are rare high style elements in a county dominated by vernacular building traditions.
Despite these high style elements, the Starke 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.
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 noted 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.
The Gulf Coast Cottage is distinguished by its central hall and five bay facade which became popular in Alabama during the 1830s. This plan came from the Eastern Seaboard and owed its genesis to the Georgian architectural traditions of England. This American, or more popularly, Greek Revival, floor plan nevertheless continued Creole
traditions of building a full length recessed porch under a sweeping gable roof. Chimneys were located along or near outer walls as no heating was desired in the hall. Gulf Coast Cottages were generally of frame construction and were raised two to three feet off of the ground on brick piers. These houses were popular from 1830 to 1870.
Despite these high style elements, the Starke 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.
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 noted 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.
The Gulf Coast Cottage is distinguished by its central hall and five bay facade which became popular in Alabama during the 1830s. This plan came from the Eastern Seaboard and owed its genesis to the Georgian architectural traditions of England. This American, or more popularly, Greek Revival, floor plan nevertheless continued Creole
traditions of building a full length recessed porch under a sweeping gable roof. Chimneys were located along or near outer walls as no heating was desired in the hall. Gulf Coast Cottages were generally of frame construction and were raised two to three feet off of the ground on brick piers. These houses were popular from 1830 to 1870.
Bibliography
Mary 0. Carney. "The Yanks Take Over the Eastern Shore." Unpublished manuscript. Daphne, Alabama. 1949.
Francis Scott. Daphne. Privately printed. No date.
Deed books, various. Baldwin County Courthouse, Bay Minette, Al.
1850 Free and Slave Schedules. Census. Baldwin County, Al.
Francis Scott. Daphne. Privately printed. No date.
Deed books, various. Baldwin County Courthouse, Bay Minette, Al.
1850 Free and Slave Schedules. Census. Baldwin County, Al.
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.
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The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley, which was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, was built in Mobile, Alabama in 1863.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.