Seibels-Ball-Lanier House, 407 Adams Avenue, Montgomery

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ALA,51-MONG,17-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Phillipa Stratford and Clifford Lanier. Previous Owners;Mrs. Charles p. Ball v&o willed it to her daughters. John J. Seibels completed the house. Mr. S. Swan who bought the house from Mr. Seibels. Mr. Swan who began building the house in Date of Erection: Architect; Unknown. Builder: Mr. S. Swan began the building of the house. Mr. J. J. Seibels completed it. Present Condition: The present condition of the house is excellent. Modern improvements have been added, but they have not detracted from the original ante-bellum charm of the house. Number of stories: Two in front and three in the rear. Materials of Construction: The foundations of the house of brick. The floors were originally pine but are now hardwood. The outside wall are stucco over brick. The inside walls are plaster.

The roof is metal with standing seams. Other Existing Records: A photograph appeared in She Birmingham Mews. December 9, illustrating an article by Varian Feare. Additional Data: "The Ball house is one of u< s-c preserved of the old homes. It is stucco over brick with a definite regency influence. It is surrounded on three sides by porches which at the rear work up three stories. The lattice work on these porches form a very lacy pattern which contrast with the other details. The main corners have quoins in very good scale and the windows have an exceptionally fine decorative trim both inside and out. The house is topped with a cupola which is quite elaborite but fairly heavy in its proportions.

In my opinion the interiors are not only the best J>l *Af* ALA-612 Page 2 ALA- Additional Data continued; preserved but the handsomest of any of the old homes of Montgomery. The door treatments, the doors, cornices and other treatments are very carefully proport- ioned and refined in:,detail. The stair which is partly curved is a most handsome example and has a very unusual newel capped with a glass hall- The proportions of the rooms themselves and the plan plainly show the;,pretentious social life of the owners? {Lutz). "S. Swan was a publisher in Montgomery in through He published the Southern Gazette in which the original Frank Forrester stories appeared.

Swan originally operated a lottery and after the abolishment by act of schemes of this character he continued his publishing business. One of his prints now. quite much sought and published by his concern though not printed by them is the picture of the burning of the capitol December 14, In the publishing venture he was associated with A. G. Park. There extant copies of IT. S. postage stamps through which has been impressed "S. Swan Montgomery, Alabama." "John J. Seibles was appointed United States minister to Belgium in He was prominebt both socially and politically and his descendents reside in Montgomery today. At the outbreak of the war between the states he was appointed Colonel and aide-de-camp to the govenor." Contributors to Historic Section: Mr. Petar Brannon Curator of D*va?

wBot of Archives and History Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Porter Bibb 111 Moulton Street Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Clifford Lanier 405 Adams Street Montgomery, Alabama. AI&-6X2 Page 3 ALA c -.. If o ^ 0- Architectural Merit Sections Mr. Earl Lutz, Architect 313 Catoma Street Montgomery, Alabama Compiled byt Daniel 9*roy Jr Montgomery, Alabama Approved* E. Walter Burkhardt, District Officer, HABS. Auburn, Alabama Bate: