Tolstoy Park, Historical residence in Montrose, Alabama, US.
Tolstoy Park is a round residence in Montrose with a concrete structure measuring 14 feet across and six windows arranged around the building. The structure sits 2 feet below ground level and features skylights that bring daylight into the lower living space.
Henry Stuart built this house in 1925 on his property and named it after Russian author Tolstoy, inspired by the writer's thoughts on simpler living. The project grew from Stuart's personal reflections on better housing and self-sufficiency.
The residence reflects an unusual vision of living in the 1920s, with its round form and experimental design that few people knew about at the time. The way the building was constructed shows one person's desire to live differently from most people in Alabama back then.
The house is located in a rural area and is easiest to reach by car, as the surroundings lack public transportation options. The best time to visit is during daylight hours, when you can see the structure and windows clearly from outside.
Stuart personally manufactured each concrete block for the house, developing a system that could have inspired others. This hands-on approach was unusual for residential projects of his time and shows his experimental spirit.
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