Birmingham in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary

Cummings - Eastis - Beaumont House

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 4, 2010

1. Side A: Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary Marker

Inscription. The original log structure was built c. 1820 - 1830, with the board and batten addition dating to as late as the 1860s. The log cabin was at first one and one-half stories and is believed to be the oldest structure in Shades Valley. Members of the Eastis family lived here for over eighty years until it was purchased by the Edward Beaumonts in 1951.
(Continued on other side)

(Reverse):
The log house, purchased from William Cummings in 1863 by Wallace S. McElwain, owner of the nearby Cahaba Iron Works or Irondale Furnace, was used for a commissary or company store. This was the first store in Shades Valley for the settlers to purchase supplies. Before this, it was necessary for them to make a long trip over Red Mountain to Elyton, then the county seat. Although the furnace was destroyed March 29, 1865 by Wilson's Raiders, the commissary was spared.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 29, 1874.

Location. 33° 30.582′ N, 86° 44.208′ W. Marker is in Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Montevallo Road west of Glenbrook Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Birmingham AL 35213, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wallace S. McElwain / Irondale Furnace Ruins (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mountain Brook (approx. 1.2 miles away); Forest Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); Canterbury United Methodist Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Highlands School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Alabama Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); King's Spring (approx. 2.1 miles away); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Birmingham.

Side B: Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 4, 2010

2. Side B: Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary Marker

Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 4, 2010

3. Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary Marker

Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 4, 2010

4. Oldest House In Shades Valley / Irondale Furnace Commissary

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,973 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.