Purdom House

The story

Behind the sketch.

The Purdom House began as a compact Federal residence with a side-hall plan. The house's established name suggests an association with Richard Belknap Purdom, a Huntsville merchant, notary, civic official, and longtime clerk of the Madison County Court. By the early twentieth century, the house was home to merchant Edwin Taliaferro "Doc" Terry and his wife, Marion Merts Terry. Marion's sister, Annie Cynthia Merts, also lived here. Known to generations of Huntsville students as "Miss Annie," she taught at East Clinton School and Huntsville High School, served as a high-school vice principal, and retired after 51 years in the classroom. The former Huntsville High School building at 610 Randolph Avenue, only a few blocks away, was later named the Annie C. Merts Center in her honor.

Neighborhood

Twickenham

Book location

Page 65