Figh - Pickett House - Montgomery, Alabama - Pre-Victorian Historic Homes on Waymarking.com

From Alabama: A Guide to the Deep South (American Guide Series, 1941), p. 231:

"The PICKETT HOUSE (open by appointment), 2 Clayton St., was built in the late 1830's by slave labor under direction of John P. Figh. The house was built of red brick made on the premises. A porch and balustrade have been added, and the structure now has white trim and green blinds. The dining room floor is made of stone blocks from the first capitol at Montgomery, salvaged after the destruction of the building by fire in 1849. The property was purchased in 1858 by the historian, Albert J. Pickett; it is now owned and occupied by the Barnes School for Boys."

The house was moved when the Federal Courthouse was expanded, so it is now located at 512 South Court Street in Montgomery, at the corder of South Court Street and Mildred Streets. The house is now the home of the Montgomery County Historical Society. They can be found on Facebook (visit link) They have photos showing the house before, during, and after the move. The 1941 description says it was occupied by the Barnes School for Boys, but that closed in 1942.

There is a two-sided historical marker in front of the house. The text of the two markers reads:

Figh-Pickett House

John P. Figh, a native of Maryland, built this, the oldest surviving brick dwelling in Montgomery, ca 1837, at the corner of Clayton and South Court Streets. Figh was one of the chief contractors for the construction of the Alabama State Capitol. He also served as city alderman. In 1858, Figh sold his house to Alabama's first historian, Albert James Pickett, from North Carolina. Although Pickett died just before moving into the house, his family lived here for more than 50 years.

Civil War-Barnes School

In April 1865, the Union Army command made this house its headquarters. Mrs. Pickett hid her silver on an inside ledge of cupola. Later, former Confederate Generals Hood, Bragg, and Walker visited here. In 1906, Professor Elly Barnes bought the house for use as a private school for boys, which rapidly achieved fame for its quality. The Barnes School closed in 1942. In 1996, the house was rescued from demolition with the help of the Alabama Historical Commission and moved to its present location by the Montgomery County Historical Society.

Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1837 Architectural Period/Style: brick Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor: Stately Home Interesting Historical Facts or Connections: Built with bricks made on site. The dining room floor came from the ruins of the first Capitol Building in Montgomery. Main Material of Construction: Brick Private/Public Access: Public Related Website: [Web Link] Rating: Additional Dates of Construction: Not listed Architect (if known): Not listed Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed Listed Building Status (if applicable): Not listed Admission Fee (if applicable): Not Listed Opening Hours (if applicable): Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/28/2013 the federation visited it