Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Tallulah Bankhead / I. Schiffman Building
Tallulah Bankhead 1902 - 1968. Alabama's Best-Known Actress. Tallulah Bankhead was the toast of the London theatre in the 1920's, and nationally renowned for her dramatic roles in “The Little Foxes” (1939), “The Skin of Our Teeth” (1942), the movie “Lifeboat” (1944), and as emcee of the “The Big Show“ (NBC Radio, 1950-52). She was born in Huntsville on January 31, 1902, in an apartment of the I. Schiffman Building (see other side). Her father, then Huntsville City Attorney, was later Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. A ravishing beauty in her youth, Tallulah was known for her uninhibited exuberance, deep sultry voice, and for calling everyone “Dahling” She appeared in 56 plays, 19 movies, and scores of radio and television productions during her 50-year career. She is buried in the churchyard of St. Paul’s, Kent County, Maryland.
I. Schiffman Building. Birthplace of Tallulah Bankhead. This was the original site for a building erected by John Brahan before 1817 and known as No. 1 & No. 2 Cheapside. Erected circa 1845, the present structure is the surviving south third of a Federal-style building. In 1895, the Southern Savings and Loan Association acquired the property, and commissioned Architect George W. Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee to transform the building into Huntsville’s only surviving example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Isaac Schiffman purchased the property in 1905. His family’s businesses have continued here since that date. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Erected 1999 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Government & Politics • Women. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 31, 1902.
Location. 34° 43.813′ N, 86° 35.059′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Eastside Square and Eustis Avenue Southeast, on the right on Eastside Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 Eastside Square, Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site The Huntsville Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrison Brothers Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison County (within shouting distance of this marker); The Church Of The Nativity, Episcopal (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Constitution Hall (about 300 feet away); Site - Alabama’s First Constitutional Convention (about 300 feet away); Randolph Street Church Of Christ (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,581 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 22, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 6. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.