McAdory Family Pioneer Home

Description

Three restored pioneer homes on the outskirts of Bessemer offer a glimpse into early life in Alabama. Open 1st Sun. in Dec. 1–4; other times by appt. for tours and special events

The McAdory Plantation House was built around 1840 on an estate of about 2,000 acres by Thomas McAdory, Jr. The pioneer architect constructed the dog-trot style house from numbered hand-hewn logs and wooden pegs. Descendants of the builder who were born in the home included Robert McAdory, who became the first mayor of the City of Bessemer, and Dr. Thomas M. Owen, who was one of the founders of the Alabama State Archives and Department of History, the first state archives in the United States.

Also, interestingly, the site is bordered on two sides by the smallest Federal Wildlife Preserve in the United States.