Spring Villa, Gothic Revival plantation house in Opelika, Alabama, US
Spring Villa is a 1+1⁄2-story wood-frame house with a three-bay front, steep cross-gables, and sawnwork balconies at each upper window. Its gables have bargeboards and diamond-shaped pinnacles, and stuccoed chimneys flank the main block. A semi-detached rear ell, added in 1934, repeats the main façade's features.
Spring Villa was built in 1850 by Horace King beside a 30-acre spring-fed lake that gives the house its name. The city of Opelika acquired the property in 1927, and in 1934 the Civil Works Administration added a semi-detached rear ell during its conversion into a city clubhouse. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 3, 1978, for its architectural significance.
The house displays features of the Carpenter Gothic style, with ornate sawnwork details on the windows showing the craftsmanship valued by homeowners of that era. These decorative elements reflect how residents of the time chose to personalize their homes with artistic touches.
The building serves as the centerpiece of a public park with free access to the grounds and various recreational facilities throughout the year. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as exploring the walking paths and open areas involves considerable walking.
The rear ell was added in 1934 by the Civil Works Administration when the house was converted into a city clubhouse, and it copies the main façade's features. The upper-floor balconies originally had latticework, later replaced by simple balusters.
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