GLENNVILLE PLANTATION
Glennville, Russell County, Alabama
Glennville Plantation was built 1842-44 by Col. Americus Mitchell who came to the town of Glennville, just to the north of the plantation in 1841 and settled on land which had been granted to John Mitchell, his grandfather, for Revolutionary War services. These photographs taken by photographer Alex Bush reveal the beauty of this mansion.
It was when he married Mary Elizabeth Billingslea of Clinton, Georgia, who came with a large dowry, that Mitchell bought extensive lands and started the work on the Mitchell home. Below is a view of the N. W. Annex dining room.
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“Extending from Glennville south to Eufaula was once Alabama’s most thriving plantation region. Great land grants spread out from both sides of the Chattahoochee River, and cotton, grown by the thousands of bales, was floated down to the mouth of the river at Appalachicola, Florida, the larges cotton exporting port in America during these flourishing times.”
The architect for Glennville Plantation is unknown. “It is one of the nation’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture applied to mansion type structure. It exactly repeats the Doric order as found in the Parthenon at Athens, Greece, the most perfect Doric structure in all the world.”
The plantation was also known as Elmoreland and The Strong House. It was the residence of Mrs. Sadie Elmore in 1935/36 when these photographs were taken by Survey photographer Alex Bush.
This is a view of the Kitchen Annex
“The majestic breadth of this same superb planning is also applied inside, for as one enters the commodious central hall, the view commands immediate attention.
Dominating the vista is the slowly winding staircase, nothing steep, cumbersome here. The stairs are further enhanced by the curvature of the wainscoting along the wallside, instead of the more simple and customary baseboard.”
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[…] earliest settlers of Glennville community were A.C. Mitchell, Massimilon Glenn, Eugene Herndon Glenn, J. M. Raiford, George Thompson, Dr. Evans Dent, John […]
Is the home still standing?
The house still stands. Glennville is an amazing place and a great deal of the “shell” is still in place. If your planning a visit – please contact me and I will show you around. The builders of the home ( Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell ) are my 3rd great-grandparents…..
I am so glad Glennville still exists. I have an old book from the 30’s about antebellum mansions in Alabama that includes Glennville. So many of them are now gone. I would love to see it one day.
Hello David, I would really enjoy the opportunity to view the Glennville Plantation. I enjoy making photographs of our historic Alabama Buildings and homes. I live an hour away in Auburn and can be there quick. I’ve seen the home through the woods from the dirt road, but did not trespass. I also saw the church next door, and did take some photos of it from the dirt road.
Thanks for letting me reply and comment. Bill Capps. Auburn
I am hoping that there may be records showing who the various sharecroppers working the plantation may have been. I am told by our eldest uncles that the Johnson and Williams families worked the land. Any bit of information would be a gift!
Yes, it is here https://goo.gl/maps/jmj8o
Thanks so much for updating the story with details and links regarding Glennville’s continued existence. I’m quite relieved to learn that it still stands.
[…] and it is probable that the first pecan grove in Alabama was planted about 1836-7 in the village of Glennville in Barbour County. Glennville lated became part of Russell County, […]
Can you please email with some contact information I’m interested in viewing the home. I’ve drove by it a million times and extremely interested in viewing and appreciating it up close! Thanks
Civil War era heritage events in March: http://www.civilwarheritagetrails.org/civil-war-events/march.html
play listen to the song
Love this..Was raised in Russell county Alabama.
Is this plantation the same as Oakland plantation or are they different plantations? If they are not the same, where is Oakland and is it still standing? My fifth great grandfather, John McGough, bought Oakland in 1868 and lived there until his death. He is buried in a cementery in Glennville.
I don’t know. Perhaps a reader can answer your question.
Columbus Americus and Mary Elizabeth were my Great-Great-Grandparents. We made our way to Glenville this year from Maryland, but were unfortunately not able to see the house. Did immensely enjoy finding the cemeteries, though, thank you to Dave M. for the help. If we are ever back we would love to see the house if possible.
[…] has, within the past few years remodeled the home of Mr. Mac Mitchell, and it is today beautiful ‘Elmoreland.’ To Mr. And Mrs. Elmore are due credit for the St. Stephens Mission which was built largely through […]
I would like to become a patron, but not online. Please tell me where I can send donations.
I’m sorry Agnes. We are only setup for online.
My family were slaves on this plantation.eva