Steele was born April 1, 1798, in Bedford County, Virginia. Around 1818, he moved from his home in Virginia to Huntsville, Alabama. In December 1823 he married Eliza Ann Weaver (1808-1891) and they had eight children.[1] One of his sons, Matthew W. Steele became an architect as well.[2] It is not clear whether George or Matthew designed Quietdale.[3] Another son, Col. Jno. Steele was a civil engineer.[2]
Architectural careeredit
Steele began his architectural career as a builder and constructed his own house in 1824. Initially self taught, he attended architecture lectures in New York.[4] Steele acquired a reputation as a talented architect.[1]
1835 Madison County Courthouse
Much of the labor involved in building Steele's designs was done by slaves. Steele owned 74 slaves at the time of his death, many of whom were trained in construction. He would rent more slaves if a job required it. If slaves could not be found, he contracted work out to white tradesmen.[1]
Over the course of his career, he designed several major buildings in the city. Several were demolished in the 1960s as city leaders sought to modernize and accommodate aerospace industry.[1]
Steele died on October 21, 1855. He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery.[1]
Selected worksedit
Former Madison County Courthouse, demolished ca. 1965[2]
Huntsville Female College, destroyed by fire in 1895[5]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeBayer, Linda (Spring 1979). "George Steele: Huntsville's Antebellum Architect" (PDF). The Historic Huntsville Quarterly. 5 (3): 3–22.
^ abcTabler, Dave (May 5, 2017). "Underneath the Huntsville courthouse, yawning caverns".
^Gamble, Robert S. (January 1981). "Robinson, Mrs. William, House". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form. National Park Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014. See also: "Accompanying photos". Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
george, gilliam, steele, april, 1798, october, 1855, american, architect, huntsville, alabama, contents, early, life, family, architectural, career, selected, works, references, external, linksearly, life, family, editsteele, born, april, 1798, bedford, county. George Gilliam Steele Sr April 1 1798 October 21 1855 was an American architect in Huntsville Alabama Contents 1 Early life and family 2 Architectural career 3 Selected works 4 References 5 External linksEarly life and family editSteele was born April 1 1798 in Bedford County Virginia Around 1818 he moved from his home in Virginia to Huntsville Alabama In December 1823 he married Eliza Ann Weaver 1808 1891 and they had eight children 1 One of his sons Matthew W Steele became an architect as well 2 It is not clear whether George or Matthew designed Quietdale 3 Another son Col Jno Steele was a civil engineer 2 Architectural career editSteele began his architectural career as a builder and constructed his own house in 1824 Initially self taught he attended architecture lectures in New York 4 Steele acquired a reputation as a talented architect 1 nbsp 1835 Madison County CourthouseMuch of the labor involved in building Steele s designs was done by slaves Steele owned 74 slaves at the time of his death many of whom were trained in construction He would rent more slaves if a job required it If slaves could not be found he contracted work out to white tradesmen 1 Over the course of his career he designed several major buildings in the city Several were demolished in the 1960s as city leaders sought to modernize and accommodate aerospace industry 1 Steele died on October 21 1855 He was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery 1 Selected works editFormer Madison County Courthouse demolished ca 1965 2 First National Bank Oak Place 1840 Huntsville Female College destroyed by fire in 1895 5 References edit a b c d e Bayer Linda Spring 1979 George Steele Huntsville s Antebellum Architect PDF The Historic Huntsville Quarterly 5 3 3 22 a b c Tabler Dave May 5 2017 Underneath the Huntsville courthouse yawning caverns Gamble Robert S January 1981 Robinson Mrs William House National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form National Park Service Archived PDF from the original on July 5 2014 Retrieved July 5 2014 See also Accompanying photos Archived PDF from the original on July 5 2014 Retrieved July 5 2014 Thomas Leslie Nicole 2015 Legendary Locals of Huntsville Arcadia ISBN 9781439654637 OCLC 932593739 Site of Huntsville Female College Historical Marker www hmdb org External links editGeorge Gilliam Steele on Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Gilliam Steele amp oldid 1148019060, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
