Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Behind the Big House

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

1. Behind the Big House Marker

Inscription. Two-story brick slave quarters like the one before you were not typical, but they could be found in wealthy towns like Cahaba.

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. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. Marker is on Oak Street, 0.2 miles 2nd Street North, on

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the left when traveling north. Located at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oak Street, Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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); 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); Drug Store & the Rooms Above (approx. 0.3 miles away); Yankees in Cahawba (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

More about this marker. This marker replaces an older marker, with same title and some of the same text.

View of marker in front of former slave quarters. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

2. View of marker in front of former slave quarters.

View of former slave quarters and two markers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

3. View of former slave quarters and two markers.

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 501 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.