Raphael Semmes House, Greek Revival residence in Mobile, Alabama.
The Raphael Semmes House is a two-story brick building with an elegant front porch supported by cast iron columns and features characteristic Greek Revival elements. The interior includes three bedrooms upstairs, black marble fireplaces throughout, and a rear service wing that originally housed kitchen and storage areas.
Construction of the house began in 1858 and was completed by builder Peter Horta, establishing it as an important example of mid-19th century architecture. After the Civil War, the citizens of Mobile presented the house as a gift to naval commander Raphael Semmes in 1871, where he resided until his death in 1877.
The house reflects how affluent families lived in 19th-century Mobile, with elegantly designed rooms that served both formal gatherings and daily life. Its marble finishes and cast iron details reveal the wealth and standing of those who occupied it.
The house is located on Government Street and is easy to identify from the street thanks to its distinctive brick facade and prominent front porch. Visitors can walk through rooms on both floors, and exploring the rear section provides a sense of how households operated in the 1800s.
Raphael Semmes was a famed Confederate warship captain whose aggressive naval campaigns during the Civil War were legendary in the South. The gift of the house reflected the city's deep admiration for his military achievements, even though his actions remained controversial elsewhere in the country.
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