Semmes in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Blackwell House
EST 1951
— Mobile County —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, June 24, 2023
1. Blackwell House Marker
Inscription.
Blackwell House. EST 1951. Owen and Vivian Welch Blackwell founded Blackwell Nurseries, Inc. in 1938, and by the late 1960s the nursery became known as the largest azalea producer in the nation which helped earn the reputation of Semmes as the "Nursery Capital of the World." Owen Blackwell was an innovator in the industry, and by the mid-1990s, Blackwell Nurseries produced three million azaleas for the greenhouse and nursery trade. Blackwell Nurseries phased out its operation in 2003. Built by the Blackwells in 1951, the Blackwell House sits on four acres of shaded grounds and symbolizes the significance of Semmes as an agricultural and horticultural center. Members of the Blackwell family lived in the home until 2007. The historic landmark was purchased by the Mobile County Commission in 2011 and currently operates as the Semmes Senior Center. , Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on July 15, 2021
Owen and Vivian Welch Blackwell founded Blackwell Nurseries, Inc.
in 1938, and by the late 1960s the nursery became known as the
largest azalea producer in the nation which helped earn the
reputation of Semmes as the "Nursery Capital of the World." Owen
Blackwell was an innovator in the industry, and by the mid-1990s,
Blackwell Nurseries produced three million azaleas for the
greenhouse and nursery trade. Blackwell Nurseries phased out its
operation in 2003. Built by the Blackwells in 1951, the Blackwell
House sits on four acres of shaded grounds and symbolizes the
significance of Semmes as an agricultural and horticultural center.
Members of the Blackwell family lived in the home until 2007. The
historic landmark was purchased by the Mobile County Commission
in 2011 and currently operates as the Semmes Senior Center.
Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage on July 15, 2021
Erected 2022 by the City of Semmes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is July 15, 2021.
Location. 30° 46.846′ N, 88° 16.232′ W. Marker is in Semmes, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is on Moffett Road (U.S. 98) 0.6 miles south of Snow Road North, on the
Click or scan to see this page online
right when traveling south. Located at the Semmes Senior Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9635 Moffett Rd, Semmes AL 36575, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Blackwell House Marker at the now Semmes Senior Center.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
