Edgewood, a "Place in Peril"

In observance of National Historic Preservation Month, the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation (ATHP) announce Alabama's most endangered places for 2007.

Since 1994, the AHC and the ATHP have joined forces to sponsor Places in Peril, a program designed to highlight some of Alabama's most significant endangered historic sites. Modeled after the National Trust for Historic Preservation's program, this year's list features 11 endangered sites.

"Places in Peril is a valuable tool in directing public attention to the many cultural resources in Alabama under threat from neglect or demolition," said John A. Neubauer, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission.

Named to this year's Places in Peril are the Carraway House and the Edgewood community.

The streets of Birmingham's Norwood district are lined with Colonial Revival houses, Craftsman bungalows, American Four-squares, and shingle-style dwellings. "Residents both old and new appreciate their neighborhood and are committed to preserving it," said Melanie Betz, an architectural historian with the Alabama Historical Commission. "But the future of one Norwood landmark is in peril."

The Carraway House, a fine two-story Craftsman-style residence, has been vacant for many years and is suffering from damage and neglect. To make things worse, a recent upstairs fire destroyed about a third of the roof subjecting it to the elements. However, determined residents are trying to save the Carraway House despite these setbacks.

Designed by Salie and Mewhinney, the Carraway house was originally constructed in 1916 by T. S. Abernethy, president of the Strand Theater Company. In 1933, Dr. Charles N. Carraway, a physician and founder of Carraway Hospital, purchased the house from Abernethy. The house changed ownership over the years but it wasn't until recently when the house fell into disrepair.

The Norwood neighborhood is looking for ways to obtain and stabilize the property. Several community development corporations have expressed interest in working with the neighborhood. If successful, a restored Carraway House could anchor the neighborhood and function again as a beautiful and useful building.

Nothing can erode the character and integrity of a neighborhood more quickly than loosing its original building stock. Old buildings are lost for a number of reasons but the widespread "teardown" movement is the most feared by preservationists. This destructive trend conjures up images of bulldozers, orange construction tape, old buildings demolished in favor of new, unnecessary environmental waste, and the ultimate loss of "place".

"The Edgewood neighborhood and business district in Homewood is one of those places now facing pressure to "tear down" its historic houses and commercial structures for bigger and newer buildings -- all in the name of progress," said Betz.

Edgewood is one of three communities incorporated by the City of Homewood in 1926. Known for its attractive architecture, Edgewood still retains many of its 1920s bungalows, Tudor Revival houses, and Spanish-style buildings, along with a quaint business district of single-story Tudor and Spanish-style commercial structures. "But the rapid growth of the community now threatens its treasured architecture, cultural diversity, and affordable housing market enjoyed by Edgewood residents," Betz said. Many business owners are against a proposed redevelopment of the business district, which includes demolishing some of the original buildings. Property owners are also concerned about the growing number of "teardowns" in their residential neighborhoods.

"It's still not too late for Edgewood," said Betz. "Residents can fight back with a determination to save what is important about their community. " Identifying those elements through survey and registration efforts, improved local preservation ordinances, and design review may have an impact on future decisions. Money used for new development might also be used for preservation and adaptive reuse.

"The community of Edgewood does not have to loose its character and architectural integrity to the bulldozer," said Betz.

"Being listed as a significant historic endangered site carries no formal protection, but it can help generate the local support necessary for the sustained preservation of these resources," said Barbara Adkins, president of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation.

The 11 sites listed as Places in Peril for 2007 are:

Carraway House, Birmingham, Jefferson County
Edgewood Community, Homewood, Jefferson County
Bibb County Jail, Centerville, Bibb County
Aircraft Hangar at Gragg Field Historic District, Clanton, Chilton County
Winterboro School, Winterboro, Talladega County
South Perry Street Historic District, Montgomery, Montgomery County
St. Clair Springs Historic District, St. Clair Springs, St. Clair County
Historic Iron and Steel Truss Bridges, Statewide
Old Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal), Guntersville, Marshall County
Barclift Inn, Blountsville, Blount County
Sunny Slope, Auburn, Lee County

The Future of Homewood

Creating A Vision

Edgewood, a "Place in Peril"

Comments