Clemens House

Pratt Ave. & Meridian St., Huntsville, Alabama

Built by the first cousin of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain

Photos

Quarter View Looking South

The house was moved to this location and is skewed slightly to face northeast.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in November 2016

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Map

Coordinates:
+34.73819, -86.58451
34°44'17" N, 86°35'04" W

Quadrangle map:
Huntsville

Description

The Clemens House was built by Jeremiah Clemens, a first cousin of Mark Twain and U.S. Senator from 1849 until 1861 when Alabama seceded from the union, a decision he opposed. Constructed in the 1820’s as a one-story Federal Period brick house, the building was expanded (including the addition of a second story) and remodeled in 1874 in the then fashionable Italianate style. Huntsville Utilities later owned the building and was an excellent steward for many years. When the company needed to expand their office and parking space, they did not tear the building down but instead assisted in its relocation. In May of 2004, the Don Kennedy Moving Company moved the house to Pratt Avenue and also become its new owner. Congressman Bud Cramer and a lawyer firm now have offices in the Clemens House.

National Register information

Status: Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on October 16, 1974
Reference number: 74000419
Areas of significance: Politics/Government; Architecture
Level of significance: State
Evaluation criteria: C - Design/Construction; B - Person
Property type: Building
Historic function: Single dwelling
Periods of significance: 1875-1899; 1850-1874; 1825-1849
Significant years: 1835; 1850; 1875

Update Log

November 28, 2016: Updated by J.R. Manning: Updated status and added photos
May 26, 2011: Updated by WillyT: Added description

Sources

WillyT
Wikipedia - Clemens House (Huntsville, Alabama) information on Wikipedia
Preservation Scoreboard - Clemens House information on Preservation Scoreboard
WHNT - "Historic Clemens House" news article
J.R. Manning - Lugnuts969 [at] gmail [dot] com
National Register database - Reference number 74000419 (Search for documents)