This Pine Apple home was originally built by Dr. Rufus Zeno Chapman and his wife Viola Cater. Dr. Chapman was born in nearby Old Texas, Monroe County, AL in 1873. In 1892 he married Viola and they had three children. Dr. Chapman was a dentist in Pine Apple and his office was located in the business section of town.
The Chapman home is a mail-order Sears, Roebuck, and Company kit house. It was delivered to Pine Apple by rail. Sears provided building plans and specifications, along with the lumber and most other materials needed. The house was assembled by local builders.
The Chapman house is a two-story hipped roof house with a one-story rear ell. Features of the house include a recessed front porch on monumental paneled battered piers, a rounded attached north side porch on piers similar to the front porch, second story cantilevered balconies centered under the porches, and first and second story front doors with sidelights and transom.
This house is a contributing property to the Pine Apple Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is located beside Highway 10 approximately 0.2 mile east of the intersection of Highway 10 and CR 59 at Pine Apple (The Sears Catalogue Home – Google Maps).
This is a private residence – drive by only.
Sources: 1) Wilcox Historical Society March 25, 2023 Tour of Homes; 2) NRHP “Pine Apple Historic District” Registration Form.