Courtland in Lawrence County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

McMahon House

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 14, 2014

1. McMahon House Marker

Inscription.
Built about 1830 for merchant Joseph Trotter, this house was purchased in 1838 by John J. McMahon, a Virginia-born cotton factor who divided his time between Courtland and New Orleans. The house remained the home of McMahon's descendants for nearly 150 years. John McMahon's wife, Harriet, was the daughter of Dr. Jack Shackelford, who in 1836 organized a military company, the Courtland "Red Rovers," to fight for Texas independence. Donated by the family to the Alabama Historical Commission in 1987, the house was privately restored under protective covenant. The McMahon house is a notable example of the Federal-period architecture brought to this area by early settlers from the Atlantic seaboard.

Erected 1992 by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, Texas Independence. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 34° 40.139′ N, 87° 18.361′ W. Marker is in Courtland, Alabama, in Lawrence County. Marker is at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Van Buren Street, on the right when traveling west on Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Courtland AL 35618, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Courtland Presbyterian Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Courtland Cemetery (about 800 feet away); Courtland's Early Architecture (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Town of Courtland / Early Settlers (approx. 0.3 miles away); The African ~ American Experience (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Roads / One of the South's First Railroads 1832 (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Red Rovers / Red Rovers Roster (approx. 0.3 miles away); American Legion - Post 58 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Courtland.

Regarding McMahon House. John J. McMahon, Sr. was born 1805 in Augusta County, Virginia to William and Rebecca McMahon. He moved to Courtland, Lawrence County, Alabama in 1828 and entered a partnership with Andrew Bierne in a mercantile, Bierne & McMahon.

Also see . . .
1. John J McMahon. Buried Courtland Cemetery Courtland Alabama (Submitted on June 16, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. Alabama Red Rovers. Handbook of Texas website entry (Submitted on November 6, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

3. Federal architecture. Wikipedia entry:
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classicizing architecture built in North America between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. (Submitted on June 16, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 14, 2014

2. McMahon House Marker

Rear view of the McMahon House with marker on extreme right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 14, 2014

3. Rear view of the McMahon House with marker on extreme right.

Front view of the McMahon House. The marker is behind the house. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 6, 2022

4. Front view of the McMahon House. The marker is behind the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,500 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on June 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4. submitted on February 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.