Title
Shirley-Christian-Harper House, 512 Main Avenue, Northport, 1840
Subject
Houses and homes
Description
James Shirley (1809-1866), an early Northport pioneer settler from South Carolina, built the house of brick about 1840. Shirley also built the first brick commercial buildings in Northport in 1850, after a fire burned the entire district. One of the buildings is still standing and presently, in 2013, houses Kelley's 5- and 10-cent Store at 412 Main Avenue.
At the death of Shirley and his wife, the house became the property of William Lewis Christian, brother of James Shirley's wife. William L. Christian (1824-1899) operated a Northport hat factory which was burned by General John Croxton in April 1865. William L. Christian served in the Confederate Army and after the Civil War became a merchant. His descendants have continued serving Northport and Tuscaloosa County as leading merchants and outstanding citizens.
James Christian (1796-1852), father of William L. Christian, was a veteran of the War of 1812.
Many of the original doors, locks and fireplaces of the house are still in use. The bricks, which have never been painted, are slave-made and are unusually large in size. The house is a raised Creole cottage in the Greek Revival style with curving steps leading from the ground to the second floor. White Ionic columns support the roof and beams in the downstairs are are exposed, showing wood peg construction. In 1978, the home was owned and occupied by the George W. Christian family. ("Past Horizons," Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society, 1978)
Marvin Harper owned the house after the Christian family, and upon his death, the house became the property of the city of Northport and is maintained as a local attraction open for tours.
At the death of Shirley and his wife, the house became the property of William Lewis Christian, brother of James Shirley's wife. William L. Christian (1824-1899) operated a Northport hat factory which was burned by General John Croxton in April 1865. William L. Christian served in the Confederate Army and after the Civil War became a merchant. His descendants have continued serving Northport and Tuscaloosa County as leading merchants and outstanding citizens.
James Christian (1796-1852), father of William L. Christian, was a veteran of the War of 1812.
Many of the original doors, locks and fireplaces of the house are still in use. The bricks, which have never been painted, are slave-made and are unusually large in size. The house is a raised Creole cottage in the Greek Revival style with curving steps leading from the ground to the second floor. White Ionic columns support the roof and beams in the downstairs are are exposed, showing wood peg construction. In 1978, the home was owned and occupied by the George W. Christian family. ("Past Horizons," Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society, 1978)
Marvin Harper owned the house after the Christian family, and upon his death, the house became the property of the city of Northport and is maintained as a local attraction open for tours.
Creator
Union Furniture Company
Source
Union Furniture Company
Publisher
Union Furniture Company
Date
1992
Contributor
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Betty Slowe (Description)
Rights
Union Furniture Company
Type
Drawing
Identifier
1071
Coverage
Northport (AL)
Original Format
Drawing
Physical Dimensions
8.5 inches x 11 inches