Holiday Homes Tour Map, Driving Directions, and Information
Welcome! There are three ways to follow the 2025 Holiday Homes Tour digitally:
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You can view our tour Google Map here.
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You can get driving directions to all the tour stops at once in driving order to your iPhone here. These directions start at Oakleigh and end at the Richards DAR House, for a total of 8 additional stops after Oakleigh.
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Finally, while reading more about the tour properties below, you can find the driving directions to each property individually by clicking on the map location icons below each property description.
Have fun on the tour!
1.
350 Oakleigh Pl
Historic Oakleigh
Built by James W. Roper between 1833 and 1837, Oakleigh is a Greek-Revival home that was originally constructed as a country estate. Located on what was originally part of the Favre Tract, the home is at the center of the Oakleigh Garden District and serves as its namesake. Deriving its name from the many Live Oaks scattered about the property and from the slight incline it is situated upon, it is one of the oldest T-shaped homes in the state of Alabama. Oakleigh is a wood and brick building featuring Doric-Order columns and brick pillars which have been covered in plaster. Local sourcing was used in the construction of Oakleigh and the sunken garden on the property was once a clay pit that was mined to make brick. Oakleigh served as a residence for five different families from 1837 to 1955 before being placed in the care of the Historic Mobile Preservation Society. Formed in 1935, HMPS has dedicated itself to preserving local history and operating the Oakleigh House museum for many years.
2.
355 Regina Ave
Located in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District, this 1896 Victorian home was saved from demolition 3 years ago and was restored. Featuring a unique blend of historic architecture and contemporary design with grand rooms and an open concept, the home is a testament to historic preservation. The herringbone pattern, old Mobile brick sidewalk welcomes you to the double galleries with expansive porches framed with New Orleans shutters. It contains its original staircase, 12-foot ceilings, stunning salvaged 1830’s heart pine flooring, an Italian marble mantel, and 10-foot pocket doors. The home also has made extensive use of repurposed architectural salvage throughout including reclaimed limestone and granite from the Federal Courthouse downtown.
3.
1202 Virgina St
The National Cemetery Lodge
In February of 1868 Congress passed an act to establish and protect National Cemeteries. As part of that act, each was to have a “porter’s lodge” for the cemetery’s superintendent. Mobile’s National Cemetery had been established in 1865 when the city provided three acres of land. A two-room, one-story wooden structure was constructed for the superintendent. Architect Edward Clark (1822-1902) who designed the U. S. Capitol, developed a plan for a two story, L-shaped structure with a mansard roof. There would be three rooms on each floor and an entrance verandah. This lodge was constructed between 1880 and 1881. The building was modernized with a sun porch wing added in 1931. By the 1970’s the building had been vacated as a residence and its future seemed uncertain. The Friends of Magnolia Cemetery, a non-profit founded in 1981 by members of the Historic Mobile Preservation Society, worked out a rental arrangement with the federal government and continues to lease the space for administrative use for the cemetery as well as the organization. The building underwent a much needed structural and architectural renovation in 2020-2023. The structure has been returned to its original appearance and is maintained by the Friends of Magnolia Cemetery.
4.
904 Augusta St
904 Augusta Street is a mid-nineteenth century raised classical revival cottage with simple square columns. Located next to the home once occupied by Chief Slacabamorinico, the building was moved to its current location in 1902. The home contains its original 4-inch heart pine floors with no subfloor and original heart pine walls running the length of the home. Featuring a side-hall entrance that has been restored by its current owner, the home had fallen into disrepair by the late 1990s and was renovated in 1998 by the former owners of the house, Dr. Eichold and Palmer Hamilton.
5.
203 Charles St
Located in the Oakleigh Garden District, this circa 1890 home, with porches and balconies overlooking picturesque Washington Square, is a true Victorian with exaggerated, detailed gingerbread designs on the exterior coupled with spacious interior charm featuring large rooms with high ceilings and walk-out windows. The modern kitchen has granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances.
6.
50 Common St.
Amelia Stewart House / William Hallett House
Originally constructed along Spring Hill Road in 1835 by William R. Hallet, this Greek Revival Cottage was moved to its current location 5 years ago to save it from demolition. Original cypress shutters and triple sash, floor-length windows with a plaster façade are appropriate for the age and style of the house. The interior includes 13-foot ceilings, marble mantels, and curated pieces, including 10-foot stained glass windows from Scotland, an original front door and surround from 1837 O'Donnell Place repurposed as a hall bathroom, and period antiques.
7.
950 Government St.
Forcheimer-Helmer House
The Forcheimer-Helmer House is one of the finest surviving Queen Anne residences in Mobile featuring a variety in materials, textures, plan, and elevations which typify this exemplar of high-style Victorian residential design. Built in 1898 for Louis and Josie Forcheimer, the current owners restored the home and adopted a period color scheme that highlights the abundance of architectural detail. For their efforts in preserving this historic home, the Helmer Family was awarded the 2024 architectural award by the Historic Mobile Preservation Society.
8.
806 Government St
First Baptist of Mobile
The First Baptist Church of Mobile was established in 1835 with thirty-two members, several of whom were enslaved. In fact, a black enslaved woman was the first person to be baptized into the church. This integrated church was rare among Southern churches. The present building was built in 1909 and is Greek Revival in style, with the exterior resembling a Doric temple. Ten art glass windows give light to the interior. A complete refurbishment of the sanctuary occurred in 1997, and great care was taken to make no changes except for carpet and fabrics. The Bedsole Organ, an Austin Organ Opus 2713, was installed in the church in 1998. It is dedicated to the memory of J.L. Bedsole, his wife Phila Bedsole, and their son, Lieutenant J.L. Bedsole, Jr., who died in the Second World War.
9.
256 N. Joachim St
Richards DAR House
Built in 1860 for Captain Charles G. Richards and his wife Caroline Elizabeth Steel, this Italianate townhouse, with its unique four-seasons lace ironwork, is approximately 10,000 square feet and filled with period furnishings. Cornelius and Baker chandeliers, Carrara marble mantels in the double parlors, a cantilevered staircase in the entry hallway, and ruby Bohemian glass lights surrounding the front door offer visitors a glimpse into how Captain Richards and his wife lived in downtown Mobile at that time. It remained in the Richards family until 1946 when it was sold to the Ideal Cement Company. It was donated to the City of Mobile before being restored and ultimately becoming a museum and home of the local Mobile DAR chapter in 1973.
Thank You!
If you enjoyed the tour and are not already a member of the Historic Mobile Preservation Society (HMPS), please consider joining to help preserve Mobile's history.
The Historic Mobile Preservation Society thanks the following businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals for their assistance in making our Historic Homes Tour and Historic Oakleigh’s Christmas Now and Then Exhibit possible:
Bay Flowers (Kimberly Snipes, Owner) | Sherry Allen Antiques and Collectibles at Antiques at the Loop (Sherry Allen, Owner ) | Pop’s Midtown | So Jam Delicious (Scott O’Rourke, Owner) | Murphy High School Choir (Joel Stevens, Director) | Mobile Belles Leadership Program (Brooke Cooper, Coordinator) | Queens with Dreams (Chris Shaw, Director of Philanthropy) | Owners of the Homes, Church, and Museum on Tour } Building Captains and Other Event Volunteers