Wright-Kilgore House
808 Walnut St., Greenville, ALThe Wright-Kilgore House (1850) is significant as a good local example of a vernacular, single-story, Greek Revival cottage distinguished by its rectangular form, hipped roof, and inset front porch. Of particular note is the Wright-Kilgore House's complete entablature along the roofline which encircles the entire original portion of the house. Houses of this type in Alabama date between 1840 and 1870 and are predominately found in the east, central, and Gulf Coast regions.
The Wright-Kilgore House is significant for its association with Robert R. Wright who served in the Alabama House of Representatives during the session of 1855.
The Wright-Kilgore House (c1850) is a single-story, five-bay, frame, vernacular house with some Greek Revival detailing situated on a corner lot. The house has a low-hipped roof with a recessed front porch across the entire width of the facade. The porch roof is supported by square brick piers which are replacements for the original wooden columns. Rounded wooden pilasters against the back wall of the porch suggest that the original porch columns may also have been round. The double-leaf central entry is surrounded by a simple transom and sidelights. There is a small addition at the back of the house which was probably built in the 20th century. A small shed-roofed back porch is located at the angle formed by the main block and the rear addition.
Local significance of the building:
The Wright-Kilgore House is significant for its association with Robert R. Wright who served in the Alabama House of Representatives during the session of 1855.
The Wright-Kilgore House (c1850) is a single-story, five-bay, frame, vernacular house with some Greek Revival detailing situated on a corner lot. The house has a low-hipped roof with a recessed front porch across the entire width of the facade. The porch roof is supported by square brick piers which are replacements for the original wooden columns. Rounded wooden pilasters against the back wall of the porch suggest that the original porch columns may also have been round. The double-leaf central entry is surrounded by a simple transom and sidelights. There is a small addition at the back of the house which was probably built in the 20th century. A small shed-roofed back porch is located at the angle formed by the main block and the rear addition.
Historical Summary
The Wright-Harrell-Johnson-Kilgore House is believed to have been built during the 1850s for Robert Wright who was a Butler County planter and served as a member of the Alabama Legislature during 1855. The house originally had wooden columns and shutters but were later removed and the columns were replaced with square brick piers. Robert Wright sold the house to Louis Harrell, who later served as Mayor of Greenville, and he in turn sold the house to a local farmer, James Johnson Johnson sold the house in 1893 to B. F. Kilgore. The house remained in the Kilgore family's possession for over sixty years, the last being Bennie Baisden who lived in the house his entire life. Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
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 was the first state in the United States to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1836.
About Butler County
Butler County Timeline
Butler County, located in the southern part of Alabama, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Creek and Choctaw nations. These tribes thrived in the area due to its fertile soil and abundant natural resources.
The first European settlers arrived in Butler County during the early 1800s, primarily from Georgia and South Carolina. They were attracted to the region's potential for agriculture, as the fertile soil was perfect for cultivating crops like cotton and corn. The influx of settlers led to the establishment of towns and communities such as Greenville, the county seat.
Butler County played a significant role in the Civil War, with many young men from the area enlisting in the Confederate Army. The county was occupied by Union troops for a significant portion of the war, causing disruptions to the agricultural economy and the local population.
In the years following the Civil War, Butler County experienced a period of reconstruction and recovery. The economy slowly rebounded, and the introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century played a significant role in the county's growth. With the arrival of the railroad, industries such as timber, turpentine, and livestock thrived in the area.
Today, Butler County continues to be a hub of agriculture and industry in Alabama. Its rich history is evident in the numerous historic sites and landmarks that can be found throughout the county, serving as a reminder of the resilience and determination of its people throughout the years.
The first European settlers arrived in Butler County during the early 1800s, primarily from Georgia and South Carolina. They were attracted to the region's potential for agriculture, as the fertile soil was perfect for cultivating crops like cotton and corn. The influx of settlers led to the establishment of towns and communities such as Greenville, the county seat.
Butler County played a significant role in the Civil War, with many young men from the area enlisting in the Confederate Army. The county was occupied by Union troops for a significant portion of the war, causing disruptions to the agricultural economy and the local population.
In the years following the Civil War, Butler County experienced a period of reconstruction and recovery. The economy slowly rebounded, and the introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century played a significant role in the county's growth. With the arrival of the railroad, industries such as timber, turpentine, and livestock thrived in the area.
Today, Butler County continues to be a hub of agriculture and industry in Alabama. Its rich history is evident in the numerous historic sites and landmarks that can be found throughout the county, serving as a reminder of the resilience and determination of its people throughout the years.
Butler County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Butler County, Alabama.
- 1819: Butler County is established as a county in the state of Alabama.
- 1820: The town of Greenville is established as the county seat of Butler County.
- 1821: The first courthouse in Butler County is constructed in Greenville.
- 1832: The first post office is established in Greenville.
- 1850: The population of Butler County reaches 7,745 residents.
- 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Butler County supports the Confederacy.
- 1879: The first railroad is built in Butler County, connecting Greenville to Montgomery.
- 1899: The Boll Weevil, an agricultural pest, arrives in Butler County, causing significant damage to the cotton industry.
- 1919: The first paved road is constructed in Butler County, connecting Greenville to Georgiana.
- 1939-1945: Butler County contributes to the war effort during World War II, with many residents serving in the armed forces.
- 1965: Butler County participates in the Civil Rights Movement, including the Selma to Montgomery marches.
- 2000: The population of Butler County is 21,399 residents.
- 2010: The population of Butler County decreases to 20,947 residents.