TALLADEGA — The nearly 200-year-old cabin had been completely covered over with boards, no one knew there was anything other than a farmhouse in the final stages of falling down.But underneath the shroud of planks, owners Julian and July Holmes found a classic dog trot cabin made from heart pine, and a desire to preserve the structure.
Piece by piece, the cabin was moved to a site about a mile from its original location, and now stands preserved for others to see at 3266 Turner’s Mill Road.
The Holmes’ cabin is one of six home sites included in the 2005 April in Talladega Pilgrimage Tours, where visitors are welcome to get a firsthand look at some of the city’s most interesting and historic homes.
Tour dates are April 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and visits are self guided, with hosts and hostesses at each stop along the way. Tickets are $15, available at the Greater Talladega Area Chamber of Commerce, and at each home on the tour. Groups of 20 or more may purchase tickets for $12.50 each.
Thornhill Plantation has been a tour stop in years past, but includes many features of interest.
Owned by Pat and Marilyn Greene, the classic antebellum home was built in 1834 by a Scottish immigrant, John Hardie. A slave house remains on the property, and the Greenes have added a guest house and a chapel. The grounds include an 1840s cabin moved from the Barkley Plantation to its location at Thornhill.
The newest house on the 2005 tour, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Elliott at 601 Cedar St. was built in 1938, and was previously owned by Elliott’s parents. Inside, the Elliotts have renovated to accommodate their collection of family antiques.
The Rodgers’ Home at 2 Oak Terrace in Bemiston was built in 1929 as a home for Bemis Brothers Bag Company managers.
Stables, a servants’ house and a pool are also on the grounds. The home’s interior design is impressive throughout.
Seven Oaks, at 401 South St. E., was built in 1890 by Dr. Seaborn Johnson, son of the founder of Alabama School for the Deaf. The house was added on to by another owner, Dr. Groce Harrison. Mr. and Mrs. George Montgomery bought the home in 1976 and have done extensive renovations.
The Stone Home at 505 South St. is new to the April in Talladega Tour, and offers yet another peek at the lifestyle some enjoyed in the early part of the 20th century.
Its formal gardens and greenhouse are impressive, as is the ornate trim work inside the home. Decorative columns on the broad front porch are repeated inside the living room.
The home has an elevator near the rear entry, and inside there are two stairways, one at the rear leading to the bedrooms and one leading to a central hallway upstairs from the formal living room.
A servant’s house remains on the grounds.
Other sites on tour are the Masonic Lodge on Court Street, Silver Run Chapel on North Street, First Presbyterian Church with handbell concerts from the Auburn Handbell Ringers Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 130 North St. and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 208 North St.
First Baptist Church at 216 North St. E. hosts an organ and vocal concert Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Organist Mike Burt and vocalist Valerie Purinton will perform a program lasting about 45 minutes.
An antique car show will be ongoing throughout the weekend on the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind South Street lawn.
The Taste of Talladega Luncheon Saturday at Thornhill has been sold out.
Dozens of Art in April activities will take place on the lawn of Heritage Hall Museum on South Street, where hands-on sessions with professional artists, demonstrations of works in progress and lots of craft traditions will be ongoing April 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Live entertainment is planned for both days as well, along with offerings from food vendors for barbecue and drinks.
Two tents on the grounds will house hands-on opportunities for working with potters or painters.
The art produced during the workshops will be the focus of an exhibit later this year at the museum.
At The Gables, located at 401 Court St. S., members of Talladega’s Landmarks Foundation offer a sale of antiques and collectibles, along with a bake sale of homemade treats. The home belongs to the foundation, and is available for special events. The Gothic Revival house was built in 1875.
Saturday night, Talladega’s historic Ritz Theatre hosts an evening of music from the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, which performs at 6:30 p.m.
