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Point 10: The Humphrey Rogers House

(Built in 1850. Moved to Gates Avenue in 1991.)

102 Gates Ave., Mazzara’s Vinoteca

Educator, minister, attorney, and college president William Hooper Councill’s introduction to Huntsville began in 1857 at the Humphrey-Rogers House. Councill escaped to freedom during the Civil War, and returned to Alabama to attend the Freedman’s School at Stevenson. He established the school that would become Alabama A&M in 1873. Educator, minister, attorney, and college president William Hooper Council’s introduction to Huntsville began in 1857 at the Humphrey-Rogers House. He was enslaved by Judge David C. Humphreys, who purchased Councill and his mother at an auction at the Green Bottom Inn, property that is now part of Alabama A&M University. 

At that time, the Humphrey-Rogers House was located at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Monroe Street, north of the Von Braun Center.  Under the threat of demolition, the Historic Huntsville Foundation led efforts to move the house to its current location on Gates Avenue. The EarlyWorks Museum is the current owner of the house.

 

Educator, minister, attorney, and founder of Alabama A&M University.
Educator, minister, attorney, and founder of Alabama A&M University.
William Hooper Councill with the Class of 1901, The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, a predecessor of Alabama A&M University.
William Hooper Councill with the Class of 1901, The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, a predecessor of Alabama A&M University.
The Humphrey-Rogers House on the original site, corner of Monroe Street and Clinton Avenue.
The Humphrey-Rogers House on the original site, corner of Monroe Street and Clinton Avenue.

Read more about the history of the Humphrey Rogers house move