Livingston in Sumter County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Houston-Bailey House

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2023

1. Houston-Bailey House Marker

Inscription.
Former site of the Houston-Bailey House, built ca. 1835 as a residence by Matthew C. Houston, a founding citizen and early merchant of Livingston. The home was visited by his cousin, Sam Houston, in 1845. Later residents included Adolph Brown, who with his brother established the first bank in Livingston. Charles C. Bailey purchased the home in the 1940s and resided there until 1975. For a short time, the home was also used as a boarding house for young men attending the State Teachers College (now University of West Alabama).

The Houston-Bailey House was significant as one of the town's best examples of Federal-period domestic architecture. This early American style was prevalent in Alabama from the late 1700s until the late 1830s, when it was supplanted by the more popular Greek Revival style. The house's "Anglo-Palladian" façade, which formally divided the front of the dwelling into three parts (window-door-window), was especially important as the only example in the area, and one of the few in south Alabama.

Placed by First Presbyterian Church in memory of Dr. Louis Smith.

Erected 2018 by First Presbyterian Church; and Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture

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• Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 32° 35.114′ N, 88° 11.244′ W. Marker is in Livingston, Alabama, in Sumter County. Marker is on North Washington Street (U.S. 11) just north of North Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located beside the only visible remnants from the Houston-Bailey House era, a concrete staircase and wrought iron fence with gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 North Washington Street, Livingston AL 35470, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Livingston, Alabama / Livingston's Bored Well (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sumter County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sumter County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Livingston State College (approx. ¼ mile away); Livingston, Ala. (approx. ¼ mile away); Sumter County's Covered Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); Line 32° 28´ North Latitude (approx. 7½ miles away); York Veterans War Memorial (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livingston.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2023

2. Houston-Bailey House Marker

(looking north • First Presbyterian Church on left • North Washington Street on right)

Former Houston-Bailey House Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2023

3. Former Houston-Bailey House Site

(marker is beside fence, on right side of staircase)

First Presbyterian Church (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 17, 2023

4. First Presbyterian Church (southeast elevation)

(adjacent lot to the north of marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.