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Raphael Semmes House: A Glimpse into Civil War History

Visit the historic Raphael Semmes House in Mobile, AL, home of Confederate Navy Captain Raphael Semmes, and explore its unique Federal and Greek Revival architecture.

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The Raphael Semmes House, located on Government Street in Mobile, Alabama, is a historic residence best known as the home of Raphael Semmes, a prominent figure in the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. Semmes, captain of the commerce raider CSS Alabama, lived in this house from 1871 until his death in 1877.

A brief summary to Raphael Semmes House

  • 804 Government St, Mobile, Central Business District, Alabama, 36602, US

Local tips

  • Check with the First Baptist Church of Mobile for potential limited tour availability, as they own and maintain the property.
  • Combine your visit with a walk along Government Street to admire other historic buildings and landmarks in Mobile's downtown area.
  • Visit the History Museum of Mobile to learn more about Raphael Semmes and the city's Civil War history.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Bienville Square, walk west on Government Street for approximately 0.3 miles (about 6-8 minutes). The Raphael Semmes House will be on your right, just past the First Baptist Church. Look for the white-painted brick building with a cast-iron porch at 804 Government Street.

  • Public Transport

    The Wave Transit System has several routes that stop near Government Street. Check the Wave Transit website for the most up-to-date schedules and route information. From the nearest Wave Transit stop on Government Street, walk west until you reach 804 Government Street. A single ride fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile. Request a ride to 804 Government Street. The fare from downtown Mobile (e.g., the cruise terminal or a downtown hotel) typically ranges from $8 to $15, depending on traffic and demand.

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Discover more about Raphael Semmes House

The Raphael Semmes House, also known as the Horta-Semmes House, stands as a testament to Mobile's rich and complex history. Located at 804 Government Street, this historic residence is best known as the home of Raphael Semmes, a prominent figure in the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. The two-story, white-painted brick townhouse showcases a simple Federal-style architecture, with an added Greek Revival-style doorway and surround. The front facade features a full-width cast iron porch across the ground floor, added in the 1870s, with a floral design motif. Built in 1858 by Peter Horta, the house was later presented to Semmes by the citizens of Mobile in 1871. Semmes, a Maryland native, had a distinguished naval career, serving in the U.S. Navy before resigning to join the Confederacy. As captain of the CSS Alabama, he became renowned for capturing Union merchant ships, disrupting Union commerce and becoming a symbol of Confederate naval power. After the war, Semmes moved to Mobile in 1871 and practiced law until his death in 1877. In 1946, Joseph Linyer Bedsole and his wife donated the house to the adjacent First Baptist Church of Mobile in memory of their son, Lt. Joseph Linyer Bedsole Jr., who was killed in action during World War II. The Raphael Semmes House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 26, 1970. Today, the Raphael Semmes House stands as a reminder of a pivotal period in American history.

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