View of the Bon Secour River...
We've always wanted to visit the historic home of Swift-Coles but never arrived in time for the tours. And again we did not arrive promptly for a guided tour of the inside. However I did get beautiful photos of the outside and the grounds...
The Tidewater Mansion was first built as a four-room house in 1882. In 1908 all wings had been added completing the 16-room home we see today. I love the Spanish moss draping from the trees...
The story goes that during a hurricane each adult tied themselves to one child, climbed the chinaberry tree located in the L-section of the home, and survived the raging storm and water that poured through the home!
The Swift descendants lived in the mansion until 1976 when Gulf Shores businessman Nick Coles bought and restored the home. Today visitors can see his vast collection of antiques!
The grounds are being restored. You can view the gardens with the heritage plants and follow along the walkways that were once "swept walks"! Before lawn mowers and hedge trimmers?!!
("I remember my grandmother telling as a young child sweeping the yard to keep out the grass blades", says my friend.)
Where have you traveled lately? I love my travels down the junkin' road!!
Have a Blessed Day!!
Jan
Partying with...
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/seasonal-sundays-59quantico.html
DebbieDoos
19 comments:
Hi Jan,
I love all of your touring adventures! A few years ago we vacationed in N.C. I had never seen moss growing like that. I couldn't get enough of it. I am a moss lover you know. The hurricane story touched my heart. This is a wonderful old mansion. Hubby and I are going to take off next weekend and head up to the North end of Idaho.
What an interesting visit! Love the pictures! I can bet there are lots of great stories about that house. Thanks for sharing!
So glad that you've shared your time at The Tidewater Mansion. I once had the opportunity to visit the Bellingrath Gardens outside of Birmingham, Alabama...as I was driving from Florida to Oklahoma. I love historic homes...they convince me that there really are very few new worthwhile ideas in design and gracious decorating. Thanks for stopping by my post for a visit. I hope that you'll drop by often. Cherry Kay
I love road trips and visiting historic homes. The grounds are gorgeous and I bet the interior is amazing! I love the stories. Thanks for taking us with you! Have a delightful week!
What a treasure Alabama has!! I would love to see this in person.
Visiting historic old homes is one of my favorite things to do. This one is especially beautiful. I had to laugh about sweeping the yard to keep out the grass. Sounds like my grandmother's yard. lol
Thanks for sharing your visit and photos.
Babs
When I think of a southern home a house such as this one comes to mind. Love the fence, the trees, and especially the porches. What a nice day.
Gorgeous! I have to say that tree is amazing, I love it. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.
Visiting from Deb's Newbie party, I really enjoyed this post. What an awesome story about the hurricane! Lovely river and home! thanks for sharing!
Beth
Bellingrath is outside of Mobile and it is a gorgeous house and grounds.
How very interesting, Jan! I was not aware of The Tidewater Mansion at all. I have a very dear friend in Hoover, AL. I will speak to her about this & send her a link too.
Thanks for sharing your trip!
fondly,
Rett
It's grand, for sure; I can hear someone telling a ghost story with it as the setting. :)
Thanks for the tour and story about this beautiful property!
Hope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!! Hometalk has said if I get 500 entries, they will increase the Gift Card to $100.
Honey
I love a home with history. So cool!!!
Dee
Love Gulf Shores and I love these photos of the moss hanging from the trees. I used to live on St. Simons Island and it has the moss covered trees, too. What a beautiful place you visited.
Please turn off word verification. Not needed. Now I have to do it again.
I've been by the Swift-Coles home,but arrived late for the tour, too. Loved that cute little school house that was near-by. Ate at the Tin Top Cafe. Good ruby red shrimp.
What amazing homes. I too would be dieing to get inside!
Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
Pretty post. I didn't take too many pictures when I visited the grounds...they were closed the day I was there. I enjoyed your pictures.
Marsha
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