225 Walker Avenue- Judy Roper Home

More of this Feature • Part 1: Mike Gillespie Home • Part 2: Temple B'nai Sholom • Part 3: Judy Roper Home • Part 4: Martinson & Beason, P.C Office • Part 5: Central Y.M.C.A. Building • Part 6: Warren & Simpson, P.C. Office • Part 7: Peter Lowe Home

Top Picks • Top Picks for Huntsville

Related Resources • Huntsville From A to Z • Buildings, Houses & Places

Chautauqua is a festival that began in the early 1900's on the school grounds of East Clinton Street School.  It consisted of traveling performance arts groups as well as many of the local singing, dancing, storytelling, and musical groups.  East Clinton has carried on the tradition of holding a citywide festival each year in commemoration of this event.  Unfortunately the school was forced to cancel this festival about 15 years ago due to lack of support.  We began working in 2001 to begin the tradition of Chautauqua again.  Our goal is to have this be an annual city wide festival that the people of Huntsville look forward to each fall as they have in the past.  Chautauqua is a fabulous venue to focus on Huntsville history, the performance arts, unique local organizations, and the surrounding community.  Check the Events Calendar for details on this year's celebration.

Historic Homes Tour Part of Chautauqua Celebration

225 Walker Avenue- Judy Roper Home

There This house was built in 1892 by Henrietta Carter. She built "twin" houses next door to each other at 223 and 225 Walker Avenue. Judy Roper bought the home in July, 2001, from Thelma White. Ms. White had lived in the house since 1948. The house was remodeled in 1954 to make it more energy efficient. At that time the wood siding exterior was covered with asbestos shingles, the 14' ceilings were lowered to standard height, the larger windows were removed and replaced with smaller, storm window units and a lean-to back porch area was added to include a bathroom and utility room area. This was a 2 bedroom house with a foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen.

The rooms remain the same size as in the original house with the exception of the kitchen that was widened. The ceiling height in the foyer, living room,
dining room and one guestroom has been restored to its original 14' height. Because of building codes and foundation problems, the lean-to back porch was removed and a new addition was added. All of the original heart pine floors have been restored. The kitchen island was built from some of the heart pine joists that were removed when the foundation work was done. The master bathroom has an unusually lovely antique tub from a historical home that was built in 1892.

As you enter the home notice the sidewalk that still bears imprints of leaves and branches that were pressed into the concrete when it was poured many years ago.

1225 Walker Avenue- Judy Roper Home
©2003 Jean Brandau, licensed to About.com
Photo ©2003 Jean Brandau, licensed to About.com
Previous Articles

Next page >Martinson & Beason, P.C. Office