Thornhill, historic plantation near Forkland, Alabama
Thornhill is a large plantation house built in 1833 in Greene County, Alabama, showcasing Greek Revival architecture with six tall rounded columns and a grand front porch. The interior features a long central hallway with a spiral staircase, high ceilings, and rooms arranged symmetrically on both sides, with a parlor, dining room, master bedroom, and office on the ground floor and four additional bedrooms upstairs.
The house was built by James Innes Thornton, a Virginia-born lawyer who became Alabama's secretary of state before turning to plantation farming. The property operated as a cotton plantation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as one of the few surviving plantation homes from that era in Alabama.
The house sits on Greene County Road 20 surrounded by peaceful grounds with old oak trees, allowing visitors to walk through the property and view the countryside from the porch. A small restored schoolhouse built around 1845 stands beside the main house and can be explored as part of the visit.
The property remains owned by descendants of its original builder, with a family member named Brock Jones overseeing its care today. The house has survived tornado damage over the years and has been restored while maintaining its original historical appearance.
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