1926 GERON-BROCATO HOUSE
509 Eustis Avenue – Twickenham District

Huntsville architect, Edgar L. Love, designed this Georgian-style home for Mr. and Mrs. Gayle Geron in 1926. The land was given to Mrs. Geron as a wedding gift by her parents and she lived there until her death in 1989.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Clowers purchased the property and renovated the basement once used as a showroom and storage area by Mr. Geron, a shoe merchant. The Clowers also added central air and heat to the entire house.

Dr. and Mrs. Gerry Brocato bought the home in 1991. Renovations by the Brocatos include the kitchen and the master suite. They have also added a laundry room, a bedroom, and a den at the rear which leads out into the garden.

1904 MONROE-BUCHANAN HOUSE
407 Holmes Avenue – Old Town District

Mary Struve purchased the antebellum Warwick estate on Holmes Avenue and divided the property into two lots for her daughters, Rose Struve Johnson and Elizabeth Struve Monroe. The Monroes built the house at 407 Holmes, while the Johnsons built an almost identical one next door. D.C. Monroe was the president of Monroe Printing Company and the Monroe family lived in the home until 1941 when it became rental property.

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Husband acquired the property in 1997. They renovated it and constructed the rear addition containing a master suite, family room, new kitchen and back porch. Carved double doors salvaged from a church in Philadelphia open to a curved patio and a dramatically wide staircase leads to the rooms upstairs.

Mrs. Claude Buchanan is the current owner.

1923 ROBINSON-THORNTON HOUSE
608 Clinton Avenue – Old Town District

In the early 1800’s, John Brahan, namesake of Brahan Spring Park and Huntsville’s second mayor, purchased much of the land now encompassing the Old Town and Five Points historic districts. In 1923, Charles Robinson bought the property at 608 Clinton from the Cabaniss family and immediately began construction on the home. Similar to the other structures on this side of Clinton Avenue, the house helped introduce the bungalow or Craftsman architectural style to Huntsville. Consistent with the bungalow design elements are the stucco exterior with sloping roofs, exposed rafters, gabled attic vents, and a large front porch.

The Burwell family purchased the property in 1926 and lived in the home until 1987, when it was sold. Another owner purchased it in 2006 and began a total structural restoration. The current owners, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Thornton, acquired the property in 2008 and have updated the landscaping and rebuilt the home’s second fireplace in the study. Among the Thorntons’ favorite features are the hand-laid parquet floor in the new kitchen/keeping room and the neighborhood friendly front porch.

1927 BAPTIST PASTORUM-AHEARN HOUSE
504 Randolph Avenue – Twickenham District

A vacant lot on the south side of Randolph Avenue, owned by Susanna and Elodie Clay, was purchased by the Trustees of the First Baptist Church in 1926. Huntsville architect Edgar L. Love contracted to draw plans for a house to be used as the “pastorum” for the church. It was completed in 1927 and Dr. John James Milford and his family were the first to occupy the new dwelling. Other pastors who resided there were Dr. J. T. Ford and Dr. Alvin Hopson. Mr. and Mrs. James League purchased the property in 1971.

In the early 1990’s, the Leagues expanded the house to the rear with a two-story addition designed by the late Huntsville architect, Harvie Jones. This added two master suites as well as a family living area adjacent to the kitchen.

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Horgen bought the home in 2006 and, with the help of architect Frank Nola, oversaw renovations that included an expanded master suite, updated bathroom, and new kitchen. The house backs onto a brick patio that sits below a beautifully landscaped back yard.

The current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ahearn, acquired the property in 2007.

1913 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
GIDEON BLACKBURN HOUSE
402 Lincoln Street – Twickenham District

First Presbyterian Church acquired this property in 2001 to use for many church functions. It is named in honor of a traveling preacher, Reverend Gideon Blackburn of Franklin, Tennessee. He conducted services here and, in 1818, his efforts culminated in the formation of the First Presbyterian Church, the oldest Presbyterian Church in Alabama.

The land was originally part of the Weeden property and this Craftsman style house was built in 1913. The tile inserts on the porch are indicative of that era.

The renovated home and new addition were dedicated in 2005. The complex is now used for many functions such as Sunday School rooms, showers, wedding receptions, coffees and teas. The Carriage House, originally the garage, provides space for larger meetings, luncheons, and dinners. The Youth facility, housed in the basement, is used every week

Visitors will enjoy the traditional ambiance showcasing 18th and 19th century furniture styles.

1899 CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
406 Randolph Avenue – Twickenham District

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, now Central Presbyterian Church, was organized in February 1810 and, in 1828, a frame church was erected on the east side of Greene Street. In 1845 the congregation moved to a new structure on the corner of Randolph and Lincoln Streets. This was razed in 1899 to make room for the present Romanesque Revival style sanctuary. The same architect designed the Jewish Synagogue on Lincoln Street – note the similarity in the architecture. The Sanctuary is octagon shaped with a domed ceiling highlighted by small exposed light bulbs.

A Bavarian artist designed the beautiful stained glass windows which are now protected with a lexan coating.

The church bell was purchased after the Civil War and was restored and automated in 1999. It now rings daily on the hour and calls the members for worship each Sunday.

In 1957, the Education Wing was constructed to accommodate the influx of new Huntsville residents.

1907 CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FREEMAN HOUSE
205 Lincoln Street – Twickenham District

HULL GARDEN
600 Eustis Avenue – Twickenham District

The Huntsville Pilgrimage Association extends many thanks to our sponsors:

Van Valkenburgh & Wilkinson REALTORS®:
Nancy W. and Richard Van Valkenburgh, Sarah W. Hereford, Sibyl Wilkinson,
Gail Fay, Judy and Fred McLaurine, Julie V. Lockwood, Sarah Lauren Kattos,
Barbara Hubler, Dan Maxwell, Julie Anglin, Richard Gipson, Courtney Bailey

Roger Schlittler and Colonial Graphics Group.
Photography by Jim Taylor.
Design by Shults Design.