Dr. John Drewry knew a thing or two about typhoid fever, but if you ask me, he also knew a thing or two about how to build a show stopper of a house. Either that, or he knew someone who did.
Drewry built this house on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River in the town of Eufaula in the year 1867. The style is Italianate, with a couple of Southern twists, one of which is the broad veranda that wraps around three sides of the house. We do love our porches in these parts.
Supporting this porch are no less than 27 square columns that feature elaborate carving. In fact, the entire house, with its brackets, corbels, pediments and interior millwork, displays exceptionally fine craftsmanship throughout. The windows, for instance, are fully twelve feet tall - unless you want to count the four on the front which come in at fourteen feet instead. Not that I would ever turn down the offer of a twelve-foot window, but my vote goes to the fourteen-footers:-)
While living here, Dr. Drewry made a name for himself as one of the region's foremost experts on typhoid fever, even turning his home into a temporary hospital during an especially fierce outbreak. Following his death, his children and grandchildren continued living in the house. It remained in the family until the 1970's, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Those of you who enjoy Eufaula's beautiful old homes will be familiar with this one, which is a bit of a rock star in a town full of rock stars, but if you have never enjoyed a stop in Eufaula, then be sure to pay your respects to this lovely old girl while you are there. It isn't open to the public as far as I know, but you can certainly blow a kiss as you pass by.
Just beautiful!
Thank you for your tribute to Alabama this morning!