Barton Academy, Greek Revival education building in downtown Mobile, United States
Barton Academy is a three-story brick building in downtown Mobile featuring an Ionic portico, a central dome, and large windows arranged symmetrically across Government Street. After major renovations completed in 2021, the building now contains modern classrooms designed for global studies and entrepreneurship programs.
Construction started in 1836 after state legislators approved a lottery system to fund Alabama's first designated public school. During the Civil War in 1864, it became a Union hospital before eventually returning to educational purposes in modern times.
The building served as a Union hospital during the Civil War, showing how schools adapted to urgent community needs during conflict. This shift reflects how the same space held different meanings for people across different eras.
The building sits prominently on Government Street in the downtown area, making it easy to locate and approach on foot. Keep in mind that the interior spaces are actively used, so visiting hours and access may vary depending on ongoing programs and events.
The original stucco exterior was skillfully made to look like ashlar stone, demonstrating construction techniques ahead of their time in the 1830s. This convincing surface treatment shows how workers of that era used ingenuity to achieve elegant results with limited resources.
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