Directions
To view the site of the Calhoun House from the Church of the Nativity:
Notice the Calhoun House Historic Marker across the street on the corner of Eustis and Greene.
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Site Description
Calhoun House, ca. 1859
Here was considered to be the finest house and garden in the town. The house and the grounds that filled this entire city block was so sophisticated it reminded one traveler of the Louvre in Paris.
Judge William Smith, who turned down an appointment in the Supreme Court, so that he could stay home and give full voice to his political opinions, built the house. Judge Smith's first order was for three million bricks, and that was just for the wall around the house.
The house became known later as the Calhoun House for his grandson-in-law. Its greatest fame was the site of the trial of Frank James for bank robbery. The jury of twelve good men and true found him innocent of the deed and their good friend, Frank James, treated everyone to drinks that night at the local tavern.
The Smith-Calhoun House was demolished in 1911.
More Information
the History and Architecture of Huntsville,
visit
The Huntsville History Collection
or The Heritage Room at the
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
About
Huntsville History Tour
Thanks to:John Malone, Narrator,
Lite 96.9 WRSA
Jacque Reeves, Narrator
Nancy Rohr, Narrator
Nate "Adams" Cholevik, Producer,
Lite 96.9 WRSA
Deane Dayton, App Developer,
Huntsville History Collection
Narration & Tour Design © 2014
Huntsville Madison County
Convention & Visitors Bureau
500 Church Street NW, Suite One
Huntsville, AL 35801
800-Space-4-U (256-772-2348)
Huntsville.org
Web App & Images © 2014
Huntsville History Collection
HuntsvilleHistoryCollection.org
webmaster@huntsvillehistorycollection.org
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