Magnolia Hall, also known as the McCrary-Otts House, is a historic Greek Revival mansion in Greensboro. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (HABS) as a contributing property to the Greensboro Historic District and was photographed and recorded in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1935 and 1936.
David F. McCrary, a prominent cotton broker and planter, purchased this property in 1850 and began work on the construction of this house shortly afterward. The house was designed by the architect, B. F. Parsons, who also designed the Perry County Courthouse in Marion, AL. The house was completed circa 1858.
Magnolia Hall is one of the finest antebellum mansions in Alabama and a perfect example of late Greek Revival architecture. It is a rare surviving example of the Amphiprostyle form, in which both the front and back of the building have identical columned porticos that resemble Greek temples. Both have the same stunning line of six fluted columns of Ionic design, a full portico, and a balcony with delicate iron grill-work. A pair of small Ionic design columns flank the double doors on the front of the house. Other features of this home include spacious rooms with 14-foot ceilings, chandelier medallions, a mahogany-railed staircase, and beautiful colored-glass transoms over the doors.
Magnolia Hall is located at 805 Otts Street in Greensboro, AL (Google Maps).
This is a private residence – drive by only. Magnolia Hall is on a large wooded lot and you get only glimpses of it from the streets that are next to this property.
Sources: 1) Historic Hale County published by The Presentation Committee of The Alabama Reunion 1989; 2) NRHP “Greensboro Historic District” Nomination Form; 3) Wikipedia.
B&W photographs courtesy of the U. S. Library of Congress (HABS): photographer: Alex Bush, photographs taken 1935-1936.