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Schiffman Building: A Huntsville Landmark

Explore the historic Schiffman Building in Huntsville's Eastside Square, a unique example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture with a rich past.

The Schiffman Building, a historic landmark in Huntsville, Alabama, showcases Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. Built in 1845 and remodeled in 1895, it has witnessed significant events and is a reminder of the city's vibrant past.

A brief summary to Schiffman Building

  • 231 Eastside Square, Huntsville, Quigley, Alabama, 35801, US

Local tips

  • Take a stroll around Eastside Square to appreciate the building's architecture and learn about other historical sites.
  • Visit the Madison County Courthouse across the street to see another example of Huntsville's historic architecture.
  • Look for the historical marker that commemorates Tallulah Bankhead's birth in the building.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Schiffman Building is easily accessible on foot from most points in downtown Huntsville. From the Madison County Courthouse, walk east across Eastside Square. The building is on the south side of the square, distinguished by its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture featuring rough limestone blocks and corner turrets.

  • Parking

    Parking is available in the newly renovated parking garage on Clinton Avenue, a short walk from the Schiffman Building. Hourly and daily rates apply. Limited street parking may also be available on Eastside Square.

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Discover more about Schiffman Building

Located at 231 Eastside Square in Huntsville, Alabama, the Schiffman Building is a tangible link to the city's vibrant past. The original building, constructed around 1845, was a three-bay brick building in the Federal style. In 1895, the Southern Savings and Loan Association commissioned architect George W. Thompson of Nashville, Tennessee, to remodel the building's facade in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This transformation resulted in what is now considered Huntsville's only surviving example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. The facade is constructed of rough limestone blocks and is dominated by turrets on the corners that extend above the cornice. The arched entry sits beside a large, arched window on the first floor. The window's keystone acts as a corbel for a massive bay window on the second floor. Above the door is a stone panel, flanked by turrets and marked with "I. Schiffman". The Schiffman Building has witnessed significant events in Huntsville's history. William B. Bankhead, Huntsville's city attorney from 1898 to 1902 and later Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, had an office in the building. His daughter, actress Tallulah Bankhead, was born in an apartment on the second floor. Isaac Schiffman, a German immigrant who made his mark in Huntsville as a businessman and banker, purchased the building in 1905. The Schiffman family's ownership has continued for over a century. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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