By Felix M. Drennen III Photos by Jordan waldBeginningsCross Creek Park was developed in the mid-1970s as part of the Cherokee Bend area of Mountain Brook. The concept was new for its time: homes built close together with shared green space and common maintenance responsibilities.Cherokee Bend’s development had only begun a decade earlier after the … [Read more...]
All in the Family: A multi-generational construction business debuts a new Southbend home on this year’s Parade of Homes.
By Madoline Markham KoonceDaniell Burton grew up around construction job sites. His dad builds homes. His grandfather built homes. His two brothers now build homes. You could say the residential construction business is almost genetic for him, but it’s deeply tied to passion too. “With a custom home, you can build something different based on the land or based on … [Read more...]
The House On The Hill: The house at 232 Poinciana Drive holds 99 years of history from its perch in Homewood, and now it will be on the Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes for a second time.
By Madoline Markham Koonce Photos by Maury WaldThe English Tudor-style house at 232 Poinciana Drive could tell a lot of stories from its 99-year history. It’s seen the families who have lived in its walls though the Great Depression, a world war and countless historical and life events. And for the last 46 of those years, the Homewood home has held the … [Read more...]
The Mungers of Arlington- Descent
Robert Sylvester Munger saved a vacant Birmingham Arlington House from the auction block in 1902 when he purchased it along with 33 acres for $12,300. Munger grew up in Texas where he had learned the cotton gin business from his father. He also saw the many problems of lint and dust that caused damage to the workers’ lungs. So Munger invented a pneumatic suction … [Read more...]
Through Light and Darkness: Interior designer Dana Wolter’s new book is layered with not only decor showcased in her clients’ homes but also her journey with cancer.
By Madoline Markham KoonceThe year 2022 opened a dark chapter in Dana Wolter’s life. She received a diagnosis no one wants to hear: Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She was in excruciating pain from a tumor on her spine. During treatment, her immune system was wiped out, she faced complications and she was hospitalized multiple times.As she was coming out of treatment, … [Read more...]