Overton Farm

Overton Farm is a historic wooden house in Hodges, Alabama, built in the early 19th century with a simple but functional design. The structure features two main rooms connected by an open breezeway, a layout that provided natural ventilation and workspace for daily activities.

Abner Overton, a tobacco merchant from North Carolina, founded the property in 1817 with 160 acres along Bear Creek. The land later came under Tennessee Valley Authority management in 1969 when the agency acquired it for regional development purposes.

The dogtrot layout, with its open passageway between rooms, was a practical cooling solution that farmers in the region used regularly during hot months. This design choice shows how people adapted their homes to the local climate and working patterns of rural life.

The property is open to visitors interested in historic buildings and regional architecture from the early American period. Plan for a leisurely visit to examine the construction details and get a sense of how the space was organized for both living and working.

The site served as an educational resource for a state junior college starting in the 1970s, giving it a surprising second life in modern times. This later use shows how places from earlier centuries can be adapted to serve new generations with different purposes.