Schiffman Building

The Schiffman Building is a commercial structure in Huntsville originally known as two separate units before 1817, then rebuilt around 1845 in Federal style as the southern portion of a larger building. Its facade features rough limestone with decorative dentil molding and corner towers, while a Romanesque renovation in 1895 updated the corner section with heavier stonework and arched openings.

The building began as two structures before 1817 and was rebuilt around 1845 in Federal style before architect George W. Thompson performed a Romanesque renovation in 1895 that transformed the corner section. Isaac Schiffman purchased the property in 1905 and his family has operated businesses there since, leading to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building is connected to the Bankhead family, whose member William B. Bankhead served as city attorney and later became Speaker of the US House of Representatives. His daughter Tallulah Bankhead, who became one of Alabama's most celebrated actresses, was born here in 1902 and grew up to perform on stages and in films across the world.

The building is located in downtown Huntsville and is easily visible from the street, where its corner towers and rough stone facade make it a clearly identifiable landmark. Since only the southern section of the original three-part complex survives today, visitors can appreciate the preserved architectural details and historical significance from various angles.

Tallulah Bankhead, daughter of William B. Bankhead, was born in an apartment on the second floor of this building in 1902 and later became one of America's most celebrated actresses with a career spanning theater, Broadway, film, and television. Her birth here connects this structure in an unexpected way to American entertainment history and makes it the birthplace of a cultural figure who gained worldwide recognition.

• Location: Huntsville
• GPS coordinates: 34.73030,-86.58420
• Latest update: February 9, 2026 08:23