Behind the Big House
Stephen Barker built these brick quarters and a fine brick home for himself in 1861 on the northern edge of town. After the Civil War, Confederate veteran Samuel McCurdy Kirkpatrick and his wife, Sarah, purchased Barker's large home and all of its outlying structures As other residents started to abandon Cahaba, the Kirkpatricks purchased the vacated lots. They transformed the dying town into a large farm. For nearly seventy years, three generations of Kirkpatricks managed a model farm here call “Kirk-View."
When the mansion burned in 1935,
Kirkpatrick's grandson created a home
for his new bride by adding columns and
a back wing to the old slave quarters. The
columns were removed in 2017.
Erected by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 32° 19.427′ N, 87° 5.87′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Duke of Cahaba (a few steps from this marker); Cahawba's African American Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Death in the Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hole That Was Once a Row (approx. 0.3 miles away); Who Lived Here? (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Lafayette Visits Cahawba (approx. 0.3 miles away);
Other markers no longer nearby. Behind the Big House (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named The Duke of Cahaba (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Kirk-View Farm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Old Brick Store (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Crocheron's Row (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); The Crocheron Columns (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. This marker replaces an older marker, with same title and some of the same text.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
