The historic Champion House, noted for its distinctive New Orleans style, was built in 1916 by local blacksmith Adley “Ad” Champion and his sons. According to local tradition, Ad Champion went to New Orleans, fell in love with the architecture, came home and built this home. The resulting structure is L-shaped, and it features a striking two-tier gallery (porch) that wraps around two street-facing elevations and gives the house its unmistakable New Orleans appearance. The house was built with substantial 14-inch-thick brick exterior walls. Inside, the first-floor surfaces consist of concrete poured over a brick base, while the second floor features heart pine flooring. Originally, the house was heated by coal-burning fireplaces. Over time, smoke from the fireplaces naturally darkened and stained the wood walls and ceilings of the house. The house had two unusual design features: the only access to the second floor was by an exterior staircase, and the home’s single bathroom could also only be entered from the outside.
This house remained in the Champion family for nearly a century until it was sold around 2001. Two retired Thomasville natives, Shelton Jackson and Carroll Scarbrough, purchased the historic property to preserve it from possible loss. They began a year-long effort to restore and update the home. Their primary goal was to make the home more functional and accessible while preserving its historic character. To achieve this, they constructed an atrium onto the back of the building, enclosing the inner corner of the original L-shaped layout. This addition allowed interior access to the staircase and bathroom areas while leaving the historic portions of the house largely intact. As a result, the Champion House now displays two different eras of architecture. Viewed from the front, it looks much as it did in 1916 with its New Orleans-influenced appearance; viewed from the rear, it reflects the thoughtful additions and renovations completed in 2002.
In January 2017, this historic building became the home of a local coffee shop and gathering place.
The Champion House is a contributing property to the Thomasville Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1999. Because this home was part of the NRHP Historic District, the exterior maintains its original character, including the wrought-iron look and wood detailing that gives it that “New Orleans” aesthetic.
This house is located on the corner at the intersections of West Front Street and Alabama Avenue in downtown Thomasville (Google Maps – 31.915255, -87.735199).
Sources: 1) NRHP “Thomasville Historic District” Registration Form; 2) Mobile Register, October 31, 2002, “Seniors team up to refurbish Champion House” by Carolyn Brady.