Landmark Real Estate, Marion, Alabama

The Howell House
c. 1923
304 E. Lafayette Street
Marion, Alabama
 
The Howell House is a landmark home located in the Judson College Historic District in Marion, Alabama. The home reflects the traditional grace and comfort of southern America during the Interbellum Period and provides a welcome and peaceful shelter in tranquil setting.
 
Perry County records show this property was conveyed from William Hogue to John B. Clark around 1923. Dr. J. V. Howell Jr. and his wife Marguerite Porter Howell purchased the home in 1929 and gave the house its name. The Howell family is fondly remembered in Marion. Dr. Howell’s medical office was above the Nathan Harris Clothing Store on Washington Street. In 1980, the home left the Howell family and was enjoyed by four other families before being purchased by Gwen and Robin McCorquodale in 2015.
 
During the McCorquodale’s massive renovation of the house, Robin was asked to act as a consultant for an estate sale in Birmingham. The Howell family name came up, and he was able to acquire the very dining room table and chairs that had belonged to Marguerite Howell in the sale. The ten dining chairs still bear her original needle-pointed seats! When Drs. Terry and Michael Morgan purchased the home in 2017 they were able to acquire the original sideboard from Howell family descendants. In 2019 the original hardwood on the ground floor was replaced with hardwoods obtained from the same mill in Selma as the originals.
 
The two-story colonial revival home features a traditional hooded portico entrance leading to a large foyer with the striking original staircase. The home has beautiful hardwood flooring, 10-foot ceilings and plenty of windows in every room. Opening from the foyer are the formal dining room with built-in china cabinets and a comfortable living room with a gas fireplace. The bright kitchen with natural gas range and built-in electric ovens leads to a keeping room with an informal dining area. There is a large laundry room with a sink and ample storage and also powder room. The library with built-in bookcases has French doors opening to a deck and the large fenced back yard. Upstairs are three bedrooms with baths en-suite and walk-in closets, as well as a large hall storage closet. The large Master bedroom room has a decorative fireplace. The spa-like master bath features a large vanity with two sinks, a soaking tub and a separate stand up shower. The luxurious custom walk-in master closet (including a coffee bar) is a dream.  Two separate central air and heat systems keep the home cozy.
 
The house is located directly across the street from Judson College, the fifth oldest women’s college in the nation. The Marion Military Institute is also located in the city along with more than 100 historic antebellum homes. Marion is the county seat of Perry County, Alabama.