The weather is beginning to warm in the deep south and we have the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to prove it. So far, this year, there have been 21 tornadoes in Alabama and spring hasn't officially begun. However, our sunny days do out number our severe weather days. We have had several days with beautiful, bright blue skies and temperatures in the 70's. I truly try to take advantage of these days while they last by "capturing them" with my camera.

On a recent outing I was trying to see what, if anything, was beginning to bud and bloom when I passed by one of the old southern plantation homes. I stopped and took a couple of quick shots and even displayed one of them on the PM site. After getting several interesting comments, I decided to see if I could capture some of these interesting old homes, from a bygone era, before the Civil War when cotton was king in the south.

Most of these homes where built by the large plantation owners and cotton merchants and it is shown in the architectural details. For example, from the images of Kendall Manor and the Dean Hall you will notice a viewing station on the very top of both houses. These viewing areas or cupolas served as a way for the lookouts to monitor the slaves working in the cotton fields and to also monitor steamboat traffic on the Chattahoochee River. These homes occupy some of the highest points in Eufaula and in the by gone days had a very clear view for miles in all directions.

Kendall Manor

Kendall Manor was built in the 1860's by James T. Kendall a local cotton baron.

Dean Hall

This home was originally built by William T. Simpson who was a cotton wholesaler in 1850. The house was later named by his daughter when she married L.Y. Dean.

Fendall Hall

Another interesting home is Fendall Hall built in 1860 and purchased by The Alabama Historical Commission in 1973. It was restored and is used for an educational tool and public functions.

Shorter Mansion

The Shorter Mansion was built in 1894 by Eli Shorter, II. He was another cotton baron. While his cotton plantation provided extensive wealth, his wife was the heiress to the Triple S Tonic fortune. Today the Shorter Mansion is the headquarters to the Eufaula Heritage Association. The Eufaula Historical Museum is also located within the mansion. The Eufaula Heritage Association sponsors the annual Pilgrimage Tour of Homes which is being held on April 4, 5 and 6, 2008.

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James McQueen is a nature photographer and freelance writer based in Eufaula, Alabama. His formal education is in the areas of electrical engineering and botany. After a 38 year career in engineering, computers, and electronic fish finders he has retired to pursue getting more involved with his photography. He has been published in CQ magazine which is dedicated to amateur radio and the Model Airplane News which is devoted to remote controlled model airplanes.