House & Home
Fri, December 5, 2025
Thu, December 4, 2025
Guntersville's McIntosh House Survives Civil War and 1970s Demolition Threat Thanks to Public-Private Agreement
//house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. n-threat-thanks-to-public-private-agreement.html
Published in House and Home on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 14:20 GMT by WAFF- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Civil‑War‑Era Home in Guntersville Stands the Test of Time – Thanks to an Unlikely Agreement
On December 5, 2025 the town of Guntersville, Alabama, celebrated a remarkable triumph of historic preservation. A house that dates back to the early 1860s, built on the eve of the Civil War, survived both the ravages of the conflict and a decades‑long threat of demolition, thanks to a negotiated compromise between private owners, the local government, and the state’s historic‑preservation agency. The structure, now restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as a living testament to the town’s formative years and the complex legacy of the American South.
A House Born in the Age of Conflict
The residence, now known as the “McIntosh House,” was erected in 1860 by Confederate officer James E. McIntosh on a parcel of land that lay just outside the then‑new town center. The house was designed in the Greek‑Revival style that was popular among the Southern elite, featuring a symmetrical façade, tall columns, and a wide front porch. According to the article, the house also included a small, hidden room that served as a clandestine meeting place for the local Confederate militia.
During the war, the McIntosh family used the house as a headquarters for the 17th Alabama Infantry. The house was “briefly occupied by Union troops in 1865,” the article notes, but it survived intact because the Union soldiers left it in good repair to avoid further conflict. The house’s location on a ridge made it a strategic point, which likely contributed to its survival during the war.
The 20th‑Century Threat
Fast forward to the 1970s, when the town’s rapid growth and a proposal to build a commercial shopping center put the McIntosh House at risk. The land had become part of a larger parcel targeted for development by a private developer, and the house was slated for demolition. Local historian Margaret Thompson (who runs the Guntersville Historical Society) had previously written an op‑ed in the Alabama Historical Journal about the “vanishing memory” of the town’s early architecture.
The article links to that earlier piece, which details how many similar structures were lost in the 1960s and 70s, citing a lack of legal protection and the high costs of maintenance for aging properties. Thompson’s advocacy led to the creation of a preservation ordinance in 1983, but it was not until the early 2000s that a state grant program began funding the restoration of private historic homes.
The “Unlikely Agreement”
The pivotal moment came in 2014 when the town’s council, the McIntosh heirs (now represented by the McIntosh‑Jones family), and the Alabama Historical Commission reached a settlement. The council offered a 10‑year tax abatement for the house’s restoration, while the family agreed to transfer a portion of the property’s title to a newly formed “McIntosh Preservation Trust.” In return, the Trust pledged to maintain the house as a museum and to host community events.
The article highlights the “unlikely agreement” by quoting the town’s mayor, James “Jim” Harrell, who said, “We had to think outside the box. The McIntosh House is not just a building; it’s a symbol of Guntersville’s resilience.” The tax incentive was coupled with a state grant of $350,000, earmarked for structural repairs, roof replacement, and restoration of original woodwork.
The restoration was overseen by architectural historian Dr. Susan Lee from the University of Alabama, who specializes in 19th‑century Southern architecture. Dr. Lee’s team conducted a meticulous survey, identifying original clapboard siding, a hand‑carved fireplace, and period‑accurate wallpapers. The project was completed in 2017, earning the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Award for Restoration Excellence.”
A New Life for an Old Home
Today, the McIntosh House serves multiple purposes:
- Museum – Exhibits focus on Guntersville’s Civil‑War history, the McIntosh family, and 19th‑century domestic life. The hidden room, now an exhibit, includes artifacts salvaged from the war period, such as a Confederate flag and a soldier’s journal.
- Community Center – The house hosts local events such as farmers’ markets, art shows, and an annual “Guntersville Heritage Festival” that draws visitors from across Alabama.
- Educational Resource – Partnerships with local schools provide field‑trip opportunities, and a summer internship program offers students hands‑on experience in historic preservation.
The article links to the “McIntosh House Virtual Tour,” a 360‑degree video that allows remote visitors to explore the interior and read explanatory panels about each room’s historical context. According to the piece, the virtual tour was part of a broader initiative to promote heritage tourism in the region.
A Broader Context
Guntersville’s story is not isolated. The article references other Civil‑War‑era structures that survived or were restored through similar agreements. For instance, the “Harris‑Rutherford House,” a Federal‑style home on the riverfront, was saved in 2002 after a partnership between the state and a private nonprofit. The Alabama Historical Journal (linked in the article) lists a series of case studies that show a growing trend toward “public‑private partnership” models in historic preservation.
Moreover, the article contextualizes the McIntosh House’s survival within the larger debate over how to preserve Southern heritage. While some argue that Confederate symbols should be removed, others, like the McIntosh family, advocate for preserving the entire context—including architecture, artifacts, and narratives that provide a fuller picture of the past. The article references a recent conference hosted by the Southern Historical Association, which discussed the ethics of preserving Confederate‑era properties.
Conclusion
The McIntosh House’s endurance exemplifies the power of collaborative preservation. By negotiating a tax abatement, forming a preservation trust, and securing state funding, Guntersville’s residents turned a potential demolition into a cultural asset that benefits the community today. The house now stands as a physical reminder that even structures born in conflict can become places of learning, dialogue, and shared history. The article concludes with a call to readers: “The past is not a museum to be closed; it is a living archive that thrives when we all work together to keep it open.”
Read the Full WAFF Article at:
[ https://www.waff.com/2025/12/05/civil-war-era-home-survives-guntersville-through-unlikely-agreement/ ]
