Magnolia Glen, historically known as the Palmer-Barlow-Britt House, was built in 1833 by Stephen and Juliet Palmer and was modified by their son, Dabney, around 1860. This is the oldest surviving wood-frame residence in Furman. The house is a classic one-and-a-half-story Carolina Cottage featuring a central hallway with rooms on each side, including a unique chapel with Gothic arched windows adorned with hand-carved angels at their peaks and a hand-gouged mantel that the Palmers brought with them from Virginia. At the end of the house’s porch is a “preacher’s room” that has a single entrance that opens only onto the porch. This room was used by traveling preachers who often arrived late in the evening before conducting services in the home’s chapel the following morning.
Following the Palmers, the property passed to the Barlow family in the early 1900s. By the late twentieth century, the house had been abandoned for several years and had fallen into disrepair. In 1992, Mitchell and Jennifer Britt of Huntsville purchased the property and embarked on a meticulous, twenty-year restoration effort to preserve the historic home. Their dedication earned them the 2019 Restoration Award from the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. Magnolia Glen has since gained national recognition, being featured in the 2020 Christmas issue of Victoria Magazine and selected as the featured home for the 2021 New Orleans Antique Forum. This home is a contributing property to the Furman Historic District that’s listed on the National Register of Historical Places (NRHP).
This is a private residence – drive by only.
This home is located on the west side of CR 59 approximately 1.5 mile south of the intersection of Hwy 21 & CR 59 at Furman, AL (Google Maps)
Pictures that are provided were taken in March 2011.
Sources: 1) 2010 Furman History Celebration & Driving Tour Brochure published by the Furman Civic Club; 2) Wilcox Historical Society.