Three blocks off Courthouse Square in Bay Minette, Chip Brown is selling a house he owns on East Second Street.

The 4,000-square-foot, two-story house built in 1898 has 11 original fireplaces, star-burst windows, glass chandeliers, large rooms, coffered ceilings and Brazilian red wood columns, according to the real estate listing.

For a house of it’s size, $185,000 is a modest price for Brown to ask, but there is a little known fact that gives the house a twist and to some an added value — the house was commissioned by James David Hand, the timber-baron founder of Bay Minette.

“I bought the home knowing a little of the history and thought it would make a great office or single-family home when it was fixed up,” Brown said. “But, now I need to sell the home.

Brown said he approached Bay Minette mayor Jamie Tillery to give the city the opportunity to buy the house for a heritage center or museum, but said she showed little interest.

“She is trying to set priorities, and I understand that,” Brown said. “She is trying to decide where the money for the next year needs to be spent.”

To bring the house up to code, install installation and renovate the building to be a heritage center or museum would cost in the ballpark of $100,000, according to Brown. 

Brown said that while he hates the history of the house could be lost by selling the property, he is going to sell it one way or the other because he is “in the business of making money,” but he would like to sell it to the city first.

“But, how many towns get the option of buying the house of the founder,” Brown said. “J.D. Hand was a fascinating man. He set up the modern city of Bay Minette, and in 1901, he was one of the men who orchestrated the stealing of the courthouse records from Daphne.”

Mayor Tillery said the city is not disinterested in purchasing the house, but said the city is watching the budget and the purchase of the home is not budgeted.

“The Hand house is a lovely place,” Tillery said. “And, we would like to continue to keep our history alive, but at this point in time, to purchase a piece of history is not wise business.”

Tillery said keeping history alive in Bay Minette is a wonderful idea, and said the city has done it with many of their buildings including the library, volunteer fire station and original train station, which houses the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

“We have wonderful portrayals of history in Bay Minette,” Tillery said. “We cherish our schools and the old things around the square that have meaning to people who have lived here and future generations.”

Tillery said many people don’t realize the history that is around them and available to them in Bay Minette.

“Our culture is all over the city,” Tillery said. “There is history in all these buildings, and even though times have changed and technology has outpaced us, we are walking around on the roots of history.”

Tillery said one way people keep history functioning is by buying older houses and adding modern comforts.

“We are always looking for ways to connect the past with the future,” Tillery said. “My house was built in 28 — 1928 — but I am glad I have insulation, air conditioning and the kitchen facilities of 2008.”

Tillery said it is also important to remember when you update a house some of the historic integrity of the house is compromised.

According to the Alabama Historical Commission, for a building to be eligible as a historical site, the building or structure must be kept in line with it’s historical period.

Bay Minette has three historical sites listed on the AHC  registry, according to AHC records.

 The concrete water tower at  Hand Avenue and West Third Street, which was built in 1915 and registered in 2004.

 The Rhodes Store on Pine Street, which was build circa 1890 and registered in 1976.

 The U.S. Post Office on Hand Avenue, which was build between 1937 and 1939 and registered in 1987.