Hightower Building, 15 South Lafayette Street, Lafayette, Chambers County, AL

1988 Charles E. Peterson Prize, Third Place
Significance: The Hightower Building, built ca. 1885, is one of the older, more prominent buildings facing the Chambers County Courthouse square. The cast iron storefront and architectural details on the front facade were typical of commercial buildings built from the 1850's to the 1880's. For many years, the second floor of the building housed Lafayette's first telephone exchange. Through the years, the building has housed a variety of commercial uses including a dry goods store, grocery store and a watchmaker's shop. Much of the original structure is intact and many of the details on the front facade have been restored. The interior details on the second floor, such as the bull's eye moulding and beaded wood paneling, are representative of the time. Although the balcony is a replica, and interior walls have been added to the first floor, the building provides an excellent example of late 19th century commercial architecture.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-85
Survey number: HABS AL-890
Building/structure dates: ca. 1885 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1986 Subsequent Work