The Leigh Place, Escambia http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/escambia/history/leighplace.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: Lygia Cutts ==================================================================== August 1998 THE LEIGH PLACE On January 25, 1883 the county seat was moved from Pollard to Brewton. The County Officials moved into a vacant building until such time as a courthouse could be built. The new courthouse, now known as "The Leigh Place" was completed and received by the county commissioners on September 10, 1885. Mr. Rudolph Bundey of Mobile was the architect, Mr. Charles Scheider was the contractor and Mr. J.B. McGovern was the plasterer. The lumber for the framing and interior of the building was shipped here from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The brick building consisted of two story's. The first floor housed county offices and the second floor consisted of a large courtroom with a jury and witness rooms. This courthouse served Escambia County for 17 years until the growing county saw need for a larger building. A notice for sale appreared in The Pine Belt News on June 19, 1902 by N.R. Leigh, Sr. Judge of Probate. Although the courthouse and lot were on the market, it did not remain empty. In November 1902, the Brewton Rifles occupied the building and it also served as an armory for awhile. The courthouse was taken off the market on August 25, 1904 and remained empty for some time. Mr. E.M. Lovelace, President of the Escambia Tobacco Co., later bought the building and lot and the old courthouse served as a tobacco warehouse in August 1909. On August 1, 1910, Mr. C.H. Conoley, a native of North Carolina purchased the property and converted it into one of Brewton's most attractive Colonial style homes. After the death of Mr. Conoley, his widow sold the property on August 8, 1919 to Mabel C. Leigh. The property later the came into the possesion of Mr. Thomas McMillan. The 1969 The Leigh Place was remodeled and is currently being used as an office building. It seems to me that The Leigh Place has come full circle. It's beginning was as a Courthouse, a place with offices and for taking care of the business of Escambia County and it presently serves Escambia County as an office building. Source:AL Room at JDCC Library:Vertical file:The Leigh PLace.