Petty-Roberts-Beatty House
a.k.a. Octagon House
103 N. Midway, Clayton, AL
The primary significance of the octagon:house in Clayton is its relative architectural uniqueness. Only two known examples of the octagonal mode of architecture have survived in Alabama. Most octagonal houses in the United States were built between 1848 and 1860 following the publication in 1848 of A Home for All or the Gravel Wall and Octagon Mode of Building, New Cheap, Convenient, Superior and Adapted to Rich and Poor by Orson Squire Fowler, a noted phrenologist and author of books on marriage and sexual science.
The octagonal house in Clayton was built by B. F. Petty in 1861. It is believed that Mr. Petty had seen a similar home in New York and modeled his home after it. Petty lived in this home until 1876 when he died, however, his family continued to live there until 1901 when they sold the house to Judge B. T. Roberts. The house was used as a headquarters for the Union forces after they captured Clayton in the Civil War. Following Judge Roberts 1 death, his son-in-law, W. C. Beatty, bought the house. The second floor has been made into an apartment.
Local significance of the building:
The octagonal house in Clayton was built by B. F. Petty in 1861. It is believed that Mr. Petty had seen a similar home in New York and modeled his home after it. Petty lived in this home until 1876 when he died, however, his family continued to live there until 1901 when they sold the house to Judge B. T. Roberts. The house was used as a headquarters for the Union forces after they captured Clayton in the Civil War. Following Judge Roberts 1 death, his son-in-law, W. C. Beatty, bought the house. The second floor has been made into an apartment.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
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.
More history nearby
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.