Twickenham, Old Town and Five Points are where Huntsville began, and they are still some of the most walkable, most character-filled neighborhoods in North Alabama. This page covers all three, with live listings.
People who buy here usually fall for something specific: a wraparound porch, original heart pine floors, a street of century-old oaks, or being able to walk to dinner downtown. Owning a historic home also comes with a few rules most buyers have never dealt with, so we explain those too.
Twickenham dates to 1814 and became Huntsville's first local historic district in 1972. According to the city, it holds more than 65 antebellum homes, the largest collection of pre-Civil War homes in Alabama, in styles from Federal and Greek Revival to Italianate and Queen Anne. It sits just southeast of the courthouse square, a short walk from Big Spring Park.
Old Town became a historic district in 1974. A few of its homes date back to 1828, but most were built between 1880 and 1929, so the streets are lined with Victorian, Colonial Revival and Bungalow homes. It sits just north and east of downtown.
Five Points
Five Points was part of the 1892 East Huntsville Addition, the city's first true suburb, and was annexed in 1925. It became a historic district in 1999. The original street grid, narrow deep lots and back alleys are still there, with homes from Victorian to Bungalow, Cape Cod and Ranch.
Huntsville's historic districts are protected by a city ordinance, and the Historic Preservation Commission reviews exterior changes. It sounds like a lot, but most owners find it manageable once they know what needs approval.
Needs a Certificate of Appropriateness
Changes to exterior materials, colors or structure, and painting surfaces that were never painted
Additions and new structures, including fences, walls, patios, pools and solar panels
Demolition, including letting a building fall apart
Signs
Often approved by city staff without a hearing
Routine exterior repairs, new paint or roof colors, removing synthetic siding
Rear or side windows, mechanical units, rear decks, gutters and accessibility features
No approval needed
Interior work, repainting in the same colors, replacing window glass, reroofing with identical material and color, minor landscaping
Before you buy: if you are planning an addition, a new fence or a garage, ask us to check it against the district guidelines first. The application fee is only $15, but no building permit is issued until the Commission or staff signs off, so timing matters. The Historic Preservation Office is at 256-650-4779.
Historic home questions
Do I need permission to renovate a historic home in Huntsville?
For exterior work in a local historic district, usually yes. Changes to materials, additions, new fences or outbuildings, demolition and signs need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. Interior work, repainting in the existing colors and reroofing with identical material do not.
How long does historic review take?
Simple items like routine repairs, new paint colors or rear windows can often be approved by city staff. Bigger projects go to the Historic Preservation Commission, which meets on the second Monday of each month, with applications due by the last Monday of the month before. The fee is $15.
Which neighborhoods are Huntsville's historic districts?
Twickenham, designated in 1972 as the city's first, Old Town (1974) and Five Points (1999), plus the Alabama A&M University Historic District, which is not residential.
What should I inspect on a 100-year-old house?
Wiring, plumbing, the foundation and piers, the roof and chimneys, and any lead paint or old fuel oil tanks. We recommend inspectors who know older homes, and we point you to the city's historic district rules before you plan any exterior changes.
Love an old house?
We will help you find the right one, line up an inspector who knows older homes, and sort out what you can and cannot change before you commit.
Listing data is derived in whole or in part from NALMLS and is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use only. All data should be independently verified..
This information is provided exclusively for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
