A part of Gunterville’s history is free to anyone willing to move it from a hill overlooking main street to another site. This manor was built in 1938 by J.P. Willis, president of the old First National Bank.
The building was also the home of J. P. Willis’ daughter, Ida Will, and her husband, Claude Herbert Smith. It is a two-story brick manor located at 1020 Gunter Ave and is 3417 sq. ft. The structure has ten rooms with the architecture consisting of a central main building flanked by two sunrooms.
The property was acquired by the First Baptist Church directly from the Claude Herbert Smith estate in January 2013. The church has stated that the original idea was to rent the house until a determination of additional plans could be made for its use. However, the church found that in order to be habitable, the house would require repairs that were unaffordable for the church. This resulted in the decision to offer the house for removal to another site for preservation with the alternate possibility of demolition.
Any prospective movers of the house must cover all moving expenses and transport the building by February 29, 2016. Moving expenses have been estimated to possibly be as much as $300,000. If no one moves the house, the church plans to offer it to the local fire department for use in a burn training exercise.
This decision has been controversial with a number of local residents who would like to the manor preserved as a significant part of Gunterville’s history. Some recall other historical homes in Guntersville that have been demolished and turned into vacant lots, including Lusk-Jones House across from City Hall and the Forrester (Gingerbread House) that is currently used as a barbecue spot. One local organization, the Guntersville Historical Society has been involved in the preservation of other buildings facing demolition, such as Guntersville Railroad Depot and the Colonel Montgomery Gilbreath House.
Claude Herbert Smith was a preservationist and has said to have wanted the preservation of his own home. He was so passionate about preservation that during the clearcutting of County Park No. 1 by the County, he laid down in front of a bulldozer. In an attempt to avoid the demolition of the J.P. Willis-Claude Herbert Smith Manor, the Smith family has offered the church a vacant lot on O’Brig Avenue. Moreover, The J.P. Willis-Claude Herbert Smith Manor might just avoid demolition if the Guntersville Historical Preservation Commission, established by The City of Guntersville in the past few years, is able to achieve historic designation for the Wyeth City area. The J. P. Willis- Smith house is in this area, as well as the Whole Backstage (the Old Rock School), the library, the museum, and the residential area along O’Brig and Gunter Avenue.
CONTACT INFO
Roy Bryant
256-558-5828
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. J.F. (Pete) Sparks, President
Guntersville Historical Society
256-572-9924
