Is there really a Sweet Home Alabama. . . a place that personifies the lyrics made popular by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic rock anthem of the same name?
You’ll be delighted to discover there really is a Sweet Home Alabama and it’s a landmark located at the corner of Arlington Avenue and 19th Street South in Bessemer, AL. The house is named for it’s original owner, Henry W. Sweet, Bessemer’s first undertaker and furniture merchant. Although sharing it’s name with the most popular southern rock song of all time is purely coincidental, Alabamians are happy to make the connection. So the next time you’re singing along to a certain song about the Southland, impress your friends afterwards with this interesting bit of trivia.
Built in 1906, the house is unique because it blends the Queen Anne and Neo-Classical architectural styles. It features two identical, pedimented entrance porticos supported by fluted Composite-order columns. You can see the two entrances in the photo below with one at the front and the other on the right side.
Here’s another view showing the second entrance portico on side of the house.
Other architectural features are full-length, wrap-around porches on both stories and an octagonal tower.
The original owner’s only son, Henry Wilson Sweet (1902-1990), contributed greatly to the economic, political and civic life of Alabama, Jefferson County, and Bessemer. As Jefferson County Commissioner, he helped bring the University of Alabama Medical Center to Birmingham signing the deed conveying land and the Hillman-Jefferson Hospital Complex to UAB. Sweet was also Director of the Alabama and Georgia State Docks and a gubernatorial candidate in 1954. While he was Alabama Docks Director, Mobile achieved its highest ever U.S. ports ranking. He also served as Treasurer of the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County, President of the American Association of Ports Authorities, and an International Director of Lions Clubs.
Today, the Sweet Home is listed as a landmark of the Alabama Historical Association and the marker was erected in 2006. It is currently used as an event venue. If you’d like to visit this impressive beauty, the physical address is 1830 Arlington Ave, Bessemer, AL 35020.
Henry Sweet was my great grandfather! My dad and grandparents lived in this house until my grandmother passed in 2002, and my aunt sold it. I’m glad it’s being preserved, but I really miss living there. It’s a big part of my family history.
AM, thanks so much for your comment and you had an amazing great-grandfather!
Let me know if you have any other photos that you’d be willing to share. I’d love to add them to this post.
Don’t know if you’ll even see this but I was wondering where the kitchen was in the house? Would love to pick your brain about it some more. Who owns the place now?
I think we need to do a field trip to Bessemer!!!
Yes, field trip. I want to see the inside!