The Downing House

currently Tarpley CPA

215 S. Broadnax Street

This home was built by T. E. and Emma Downing. The current owners, Marsha and Jerry Hanks, said they know it was built in 1922 because written inside the vintage  “Shirley” metal cabinets under the porcelain kitchen sink are the words: “Installed 1922”.  In 2012, the Hanks were offered $7,000 for the kitchen’s porcelain sink and metal cabinet by a couple who were likely antique dealers, but the Hanks declined to sell it because they knew the piece added a unique authenticity and charm to the property.

Mr. Downing was a Dadeville Policeman, and Mrs. Downing taught at the Dadeville Elementary School.  At one time, they owned the entire block extending from Broadnax Street to Spring Street. They had a small farm, on which they raised milk cows and chickens.  Mrs. Downing sold milk, eggs and butter to residents from her home.  They had a son and daughter who both graduated from Dadeville High School.

The Downings also owned the building across the street where the son, Gerald Downing operated the Three Little Pigs, which was a local restaurant and popular hangout during the 1950s.  Gerald Downing and his wife, Ann White Downing, also built the Heart Of Dixie Motel in the 1950s.

This house was a Sears and Roebuck Company kit house.  It was brought to Dadeville via train, and was assembled on site, likely by Sears and Roebuck employees.  The brickwork is what is known as “Flemish Bond”, which is a pattern of brickwork that is a common feature in Georgian architecture. The pattern features bricks laid lengthwise (stretchers) alternating with bricks laid with their shorter ends exposed (headers) within the same courses. This decorative pattern can be accented by glazing or burning the exposed ends of the headers so that they possess a dark, glassy surface that contrasts with the stretchers.

The home has the original floorplan, which consists of 3 bedrooms, and dining room, kitchen, and living room and one bathroom.  The bathroom has the original tub, with the original shower head, as well as the original pedestal sink.  The original hardwood floors are intact and were refinished by the current owners. All windows were replaced with more energy efficient windows, though the original placement remains.

Beside the outside basement door entrance is a small wooden box mounted on the outside wall which covers where the original electrical power source entered the home.

The original coal fired furnace remains intact in the basement, as it is too large to be removed.  The flue’s brass metal pull-chain remains in the hallway.

The Hanks are the 5th owners of the Downing House.  Previous owners used the house for various business ventures, including a florist / gift shop as well as an ambulance service.