John McMahon House

Summary

The John McMahon House is a Federal style mansion located in Courtland, Alabama. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The two-story brick I-house was built in 1828.[2]

John McMahon House
The McMahon House in 2013
John McMahon House is located in Alabama
John McMahon House
John McMahon House is located in the United States
John McMahon House
LocationJct. South Lane and Jefferson Street
Courtland, Alabama
Coordinates34°40′7″N 87°18′21″W / 34.66861°N 87.30583°W / 34.66861; -87.30583
Built1828
Architectural styleFederal, I-house
NRHP reference No.87001454[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 11, 1987

History edit

The John McMahon House is named for its first documented owner, John McMahon. McMahon moved to Lawrence County from Virginia to manage the Courtland branch of the Huntsville mercantile firm of Bierne and McMahon. In August 1835, McMahon married Harriet Shackelford, daughter of Dr. Jack Shackelford.[2]

Federal raiding parties during the Civil War used the house on several occasions as temporary headquarters. Some of the troops fired into the ceiling one evening, leaving a hole in the ceiling that existed for some time. The brass nameplate in the foyer is that of Dr. Jack McMahon. The home still has Civil War-era bullet holes, which someone had attempted to patch, visible around the front door.

The house was donated to the Alabama Historical Commission in 1987, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the same year.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Kay, Steven M. (June 1987). "McMahon, John, House". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2013.