The Jones House, an esteemed Neoclassical dwelling rich in history, was built around 1890 for Rebecca Frances Erwin Jones and her husband, Madison Jones Jr. Rebecca Frances Erwin Jones boasted lineage tracing back to John Erwin Jr., a notable figure in Alabama’s political and legal circles. John Erwin Jr., renowned as both a prominent lawyer and Democratic politician, established his iconic two-story Greek Revival home, Glencairn, also dubbed the Monticello of the Canebrake, in 1837 in Greensboro.
Originally hailing from Pendleton County, Virginia, John Erwin Jr. migrated to Alabama in 1818, swiftly amassing substantial land holdings and properties across the state’s Blackbelt region. His influence in politics steadily rose, leading to his election as Greene County’s representative in the Alabama Senate in 1831, where he later assumed the role of president pro tempore in the subsequent year. Erwin’s political career further flourished, encompassing terms in the lower house in 1836, 1837, and 1842. He also pursued Congressional candidacy in 1845 and 1851, narrowly missing victory on both occasions. Notably, he played pivotal roles in the 1852 and 1860 Democratic National Conventions.
Tragically, John Erwin Jr. passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 1860, at Glencairn, shortly after returning from a Grand Tour abroad. At the time of his passing, his estate included 169 enslaved individuals, underscoring his significant involvement in the secession movement that ultimately led to the establishment of the Confederate States of America.
Despite being constructed approximately 50-60 years later, the Jones House bears striking architectural resemblances to Glencairn, a testament to the enduring influence of John Erwin Jr.’s iconic residence. Upon entering the Jones House, visitors will notice a wealth of architectural details reminiscent of Glencairn, including the layout of the interior staircase, paneled doors, bullseye trim, and the distinctive double-tiered gabled portico.
Originally, the floorplan of the Jones House consisted of four rooms upstairs and four rooms downstairs, with a spacious 12-foot-wide hallway traversing the center of the house. Interestingly, the original design omitted bathrooms and a kitchen within the main structure. Instead, the kitchen was situated outdoors at a distance from the house, while bathroom facilities were provided by an outhouse.
The front facade of the house boasts a grand two-story veranda porch adorned with hand-planed Doric columns on each level, enhancing its architectural grandeur. Additionally, the Jones House features a full attic, offering additional space and potential for its inhabitants.
Amidst the trials of the Great Depression, the Jones House underwent significant renovations to adapt to the challenging circumstances of the era. In response to the financial hardships faced by boarders and relatives, four bathrooms and an indoor kitchen were added to the house. Upstairs rooms were reconfigured into apartments to provide living space for those in need, with one tenant residing in the house until her passing in the 1950s.
Innovative changes extended to the attic, which was transformed into an apartment complete with electricity and a kitchen. To enhance accessibility, a staircase was installed leading from the back porch to the attic apartment, making the most of the available space.
During this period, tragedy struck the family when Rebecca’s daughter, Margaret King Jones Brown, fell ill and was hospitalized in Selma. Upon her release, Margaret returned to the Jones House to receive care from her mother. Sadly, Margaret’s health continued to decline, and she passed away at the young age of 42 in 1934, with her husband, Winston E. Brown, a prominent Selma attorney, by her side. Two years later, in 1936, Rebecca Erwin Jones also passed away, marking the end of an era for the family and the Jones House.
In the late 1980s, a granddaughter of Rebecca Erwin Jones made the decision to sell the property to Gloria, a retired anthropologist who held the position of curator at a local historical site. Before finalizing the sale, both parties reached a verbal agreement regarding the restoration of the historic Jones House. Recognizing the extensive work required, the Jones family offered Gloria a significant discount on the purchase price under the condition that specific restoration tasks would be completed within set timeframes.
However, as time went by, it became clear to the Jones family that the promised restoration efforts were not being carried out. They felt deeply let down and betrayed, witnessing their beloved family home fall into disrepair. The situation left them feeling not only deceived but also heartbroken at the gradual decline of their ancestral property. Their frustration reached a breaking point, and following the passing of Rebecca’s granddaughter, the remaining family members chose to cut ties with the area altogether.
Recalling the state of the house in the 1990s, a neighbor shared their firsthand experience of entering the property, describing it as unkempt and excessively cluttered. This firsthand observation serves as a stark reminder of the disappointment and sorrow experienced by the Jones family as they watched the neglect of their cherished family home.
In the early 2000s, Gloria faced a significant upheaval in her life when she was relieved of her duties at a historic state-owned property due to concerns about the maintenance of the house and grounds. The new director noticed that the property was not receiving proper care, which ultimately led to Gloria’s departure. According to her coworkers, Gloria was fiercely protective of the property and did not allow anyone to assist with maintenance tasks, even minor ones like clearing tree limbs obstructing the driveway, causing issues for tour buses.
After leaving her state position, Gloria withdrew from public life and became somewhat of a recluse, rarely seen around town by her neighbors. Despite her low profile, she was unexpectedly spotted at a local art gallery toward the end of 2020. However, locals interviewed for this blog mentioned that they hadn’t seen or heard from her in roughly fifteen years. Interestingly, despite her limited public presence, Gloria remained active online, dedicating much of her time to managing a website where she shared insights on topics such as gardening, anthropology, and the history of her own home. By 2021, her website had amassed an impressive 20,000 entries and attracted over 5 million views, showcasing her enduring passion for sharing knowledge and engaging with others online.
In January 2021, concerns arose when the mailman noticed Gloria’s mailbox overflowing and alerted the police for a welfare check. Tragically, authorities discovered the lifeless body of 80-year-old Gloria in her backyard. Investigations revealed that at the time of her passing, the house lacked functioning air conditioning or heating, had non-operational plumbing, and electricity was limited to just one room. Adding to the challenge, Gloria did not leave behind a will, and her remaining family resides across the country, leaving the property abandoned.
With no clear owner, the responsibility for managing the estate fell to a court-appointed attorney. The attorney is overseeing the sale of the home and has already garnered interest from several potential buyers. While the fate of the property remains uncertain, there is hope among locals that someday, the historic Jones House will undergo the restoration it has long awaited and rightfully deserves.
Photos From: Leland Kent of Abandoned Southea