Joel Eddins House, Central Alabama Travel Guide

The Joel Eddins House, residing within Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville, is a testament to Alabama's early settlers [3, 6]. Constructed in 1810 by Joel Eddins, who came from Abbeville County, South Carolina, the house was originally located near Ardmore in Limestone County [3, 6, 7]. Eddins, seeking opportunities in the Mississippi Territory, built a one-and-a-half story log cabin in the hall-and-parlor style [3, 6].This architectural design, featuring two asymmetrical rooms, was more common in colonial New England, making the Eddins House a unique example of transplanted vernacular architecture [3, 6]. The house remained with the Eddins family for several decades before passing through various owners [3]. Over time, modifications were made, including a 1930s addition [3, 4]. By the early 21st century, the house had fallen into disrepair [3].Recognizing its historical importance, Glenn and Wanda Walker donated it to Burritt on the Mountain in 2007 [3]. The relocation and restoration involved carefully dismantling the house, numbering each log, and reassembling them on a new foundation [3, 6]. The 1930s addition was not retained to preserve the original character [3, 6, 7]. The restored house now represents its 1810 appearance, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Eddins family and other early settlers [3, 6].The main entry leads into the larger "hall" room, which served as the center of family life and includes a fireplace [3, 6]. A quarter-turn staircase in the northeast corner leads to the upper floor [3, 5, 6]. The eastern door leads to the "parlor," a smaller, more private room used for sleeping or entertaining guests, also featuring a fireplace and a staircase to the upper floor [3, 6]. The upper floor rooms are the same size as those below and are not connected [3, 5, 6].