Davidson-Smitherman House, human settlement in Alabama, United States of America
The Davidson-Smitherman House is a plantation property near Centreville, Alabama, built in 1837 in the Federal style on approximately 5 acres of land. The two-and-a-half-story wooden structure with a brick basement features symmetrical windows with small panes, a broad front porch with decorated brackets, a smaller rear porch, and interior details including heart pine floors, Federal mantels, and a central hallway with staircase.
Samuel Wilson Davidson built the house in 1837 after arriving in the region, acquiring extensive land along the Cahaba River and building considerable wealth. Following his death in 1863, the property remained with his family until 1869, when Thomas and Betty Smitherman purchased it and maintained ownership for many decades.
The name reflects the two families most closely tied to its past: the Davidsons who built it and the Smithermans who owned it for generations. The symmetrical Federal design and front porch reveal how early planters presented their homes and status in the rural community.
The house is a private residence not open to the public, but it can be viewed from outside when passing by or taking a walk in the area. Daytime visits offer the best view of the exterior details and porch features, allowing visitors to see the Federal architectural style more clearly.
The house was built by two local builders, George Howard and Enoch Carson, who played a crucial role in shaping Centreville's early architectural character. It stands as one of only two surviving antebellum houses in the county, making it a rare example of craftsmanship and building techniques from that era.
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