You'll Want To Visit These 8 Houses In Alabama For Their Incredible Pasts

The Arlington House, originally called "The Grove" and built between 1845-1850, is an excellent example of Greek Revival-style architecture. This historic house was built by Judge William S. Mudd, one of the original founders of the city of Birmingham, and it's the only remaining antebellum mansion in Birmingham. The Arlington House is currently operated as a museum and is located at: 331 Cotton Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211.

Oakleigh, built in 1833 by James W. Roper, is one of the rarest examples of Greek Revival-style architecture in the U.S. Oakleigh is the centerpiece of the Oakleigh Historic Complex and is one of the largest T-shaped houses in Alabama. This uniquely shaped house allows for cross ventilation in Mobile's humid climate. Today, Oakleigh operates as a museum and it's located at: 300 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, AL 36604.

The Alabama Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the governor of Alabama and his family. The mansion, built in 1907 by Robert Fulwood Ligon Jr., is a wonderful example of Neoclassical Revival-style architecture. This historic mansion was purchased by the state for $100,000, and Governor Gordon Persons and his family were the first residents to occupy it after the state took possession. The mansion is currently occupied by Governor Robert Bentley and his wife, Dianne, and it's located at: 1142 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104.

The Helen Keller Home, also known as Ivy Green, was built in 1820 and is the birthplace of Helen Keller. Ivy Green's first floor is made up of four large rooms, each containing an individual fireplace. The upstairs is made up of three rooms. At the age of 19 months, Helen Keller developed a high fever that left her blind and deaf. Each summer during the Helen Keller Festival, "The Miracle Worker" play, which depicts how Helen overcame her struggles, is performed on the grounds of the house. Helen Keller became the first deaf-blind person to ever earn a bachelor's degree. The Helen Keller Home (Ivy Green) is now operated as a museum and is located at: 300 N Commons St W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674.

The Weeden House, built in 1819, is an excellent example of Federal architecture. This historic house was purchased by Dr. Weeden in 1845, and it was later owned by his descendents until 1956. The city of Huntsville currently owns the house. A couple of prominent residents who lived in the house prior to the Weeden Family include John McKinley, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Bartley M. Lowe, the first president of Huntsville Bank. The Weeden House currently operates as a museum and is located at: 300 Gates Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Built in 1884 by Eli Sims Shorter and his wife, Wileyna, Shorter Mansion is an excellent example of Classical Revival-style architecture. This historic mansion was purchased by the Eufaula Heritage Association in 1965 for $33,000 at auction. Shorter Mansion is located at: 340 N Eufaula Ave, Eufaula, AL 36027. Tours are offered year-round.

Rucker Place, built in 1900 by Civil War veteran General Edmund Winchester Rucker, is the only shingle-style piece of architecture remaining in Birmingham. For the first half of the twentieth century, Rucker Place was used as a family home. It was then used as a doctor's office for many decades. Today, Rucker Place is used to host special events and is located at: 1804 12th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205.

The W.C. Handy Home is the birthplace of William Christopher Handy - The Father of the Blues. This historic home is a simple cabin built by Handy's grandfather, and it's currently used as a museum to display historic items such as Handy's personal papers, hand-written sheet music, and numerous artifacts. The W.C. Handy Home is located at: 620 W College St, Florence, AL 35630.