Urquhart House

Urquhart House is a residential structure in Huntsville featuring two connected sections with a breezeway between them and loft rooms above each part. The building displays Federal-period design details, including decorative chair rails and mantels that were added as part of later renovations to the original log construction.

The property was built in 1813 as a log dwelling by its original owner and represents early settlement in the region. Significant modifications in the 1830s improved the interior with higher ceilings and decorative details, while additional changes in later centuries added new architectural styles to the structure.

The residence shows how families organized daily life across two distinct living spaces separated by a covered passage, a practical arrangement common in rural Southern households. Visitors can see how this layout reflects the needs and rhythms of early 1800s domestic life.

The structure can be viewed from the exterior, allowing visitors to observe its architectural evolution and different style periods without requiring special access. Walking around the building reveals how the two main sections connect and shows additions like the enclosed porch from later renovations.

The house combines what is known as dogtrot design, a distinctive Southern building style, with Federal architectural features in a single structure. This blending of two different building traditions is uncommon and makes the property a valuable example of how architectural styles evolved together during settlement periods.

Location: Huntsville

GPS coordinates: 34.85000,-86.63694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:46