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2006 "The Spirit of Christmas Past" Home Tour & Luminaries

By Jean Brandau, About.com

5 of 9

424 Randolph Avenue - Esslinger-Alison Home

424 Randolph Avenue - Esslinger-Alison Home

The Esslinger family living in the Dug Hill Road area built similar houses next door to each other in 1889 for two sisters. The Queen Anne style Victorian home stayed in the Esslinger family for nearly 100 years. The last of the family to live there were sisters, Ruth Esslinger, a first grade teacher at Rison Elementary School, and Mrs. J. R. (Vera) Riddle. They lived there into the 1980's.

Ruth Esslinger was lviing in the home alone when Vera and her husband, Dr. J. R. Riddle, joined her in the late 1950's. At about the same time, they completed the first major renovation creating complete living areas, including kitchen areas, on both the first and second floors. Of interest, Dr. Riddle had been the president of both Montevallo College in the 1930's and later Judson College prior to retiring to Huntsville.

After two subsequent owners, Christy and Bill Alison purchased the home in 2003. They recently finished a renovation that included a new kitchen, master bedroom and bath, screen porch, wine cellar and upstairs recreation area for their four children. Careful attention to the original decor of the staircase, trim and floors makes it difficult to tell the old from the new. The French provincial style and decor combine to creat a warm and inviting home.

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2005 "Spirit of Christmas Past" Tour
2004 "Spirit of Christmas Past" Tour
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