Kiels-McNab House
W. Washington St., Eufaula, ALThe Kiels-McNab House served as the residence of two Eufaulians who played significant roles in the early history of this city?* Elias M. Kiels, a prominent leader in the radical reconstruction movement and John McNab, an early banker.
Kiels, a native Alabamian known to have been living in Eufaula as early as 1837, constructed this cottage as his home in 1840. Later, after the Civil War, he constructed a more elaborate brick structure using this house as a model. Unfortunately, this later structure did not survive.
Prior to and during the Civil War, he served as Tax Assessor of Harbour County. In 1870 he ran for the office of the Judge of the City Court of Eufaula on the Republican ticket. During his period he became a leader of the radical reconstruction element and became involved in the bloody election riots of November, 1874, when his young son was killed. Subsequent to the congressional investigations which followed the riot, he left Barbour County and never returned.
In 1880 the property was purchased by John McNab, an early settler who came to Eufaula in its earliest days and became one of the richest and most influential citizens. A banker, churchman and Intendant of the town, he played a very conspicuous role in the financial history of the town. His bank, The Eastern Bank of Alabama, was chartered in the 1850's.
The cottage remained in the McNab family until 1973, when it was purchased from his grandson, Eugene Britt Doughtie, by the City Water Works and Sewer Board of Eufaula for restoration as offices.
Local significance of the building:
Kiels, a native Alabamian known to have been living in Eufaula as early as 1837, constructed this cottage as his home in 1840. Later, after the Civil War, he constructed a more elaborate brick structure using this house as a model. Unfortunately, this later structure did not survive.
Prior to and during the Civil War, he served as Tax Assessor of Harbour County. In 1870 he ran for the office of the Judge of the City Court of Eufaula on the Republican ticket. During his period he became a leader of the radical reconstruction element and became involved in the bloody election riots of November, 1874, when his young son was killed. Subsequent to the congressional investigations which followed the riot, he left Barbour County and never returned.
In 1880 the property was purchased by John McNab, an early settler who came to Eufaula in its earliest days and became one of the richest and most influential citizens. A banker, churchman and Intendant of the town, he played a very conspicuous role in the financial history of the town. His bank, The Eastern Bank of Alabama, was chartered in the 1850's.
The cottage remained in the McNab family until 1973, when it was purchased from his grandson, Eugene Britt Doughtie, by the City Water Works and Sewer Board of Eufaula for restoration as offices.
Commerce; Politics/government
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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.
Alabama is a place that holds true to its traditions and values.
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 condensed summary of the historical journey 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.
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