Vestavia (estate)

Vestavia was an Roman-inspired estate constructed by George Ward on the summit of Shades Mountain. Built in 1925, the home was modeled on the Temple of Vesta in Rome. The estate was designed by William Leslie Welton.

Ward also built elaborate gardens next to the house, including carved hedges, ponds, and a statuary. He also built templelike houses for three dogs on the property. The focal point for the gardens was the Sibyl Temple, a garden gazebo which was to serve as the monumental headstone for Ward's grave. However, Jefferson County law changed and prevented him from being buried there; he is interred at Elmwood Cemetery instead.

Vestavia was an attraction among Birmingham residents. Ward held numerous garden parties there, where servants would dress as Roman soldiers and guests would come wearing togas. Local residents would also drive near the home, and Ward occasionally had public tours of his estate.

A codical dated April 13, 1940 stipulated that the 10-acre estate be given to Jefferson County or the city of Birmingham as a public park. However because his debts exceeded his assets, the executors of the estate listed it for sale at about $30,000. It was purchased by developer Charles Byrd who opened a restaurant in the building as an attraction for the new residential subdivision of Vestavia Hills.

Byrd hired decorator Viggo F. E. Rambusch to assist local architect Charles Snook with plans for the restoration of the estate in 1948. The project included new interior murals to match the artwork found in the Roman original. A chandelier and benches were removed from from the Sibyl Temple in the garden, as well.

Demolition and relocation of Sibyl Temple

The suburban City of Vestavia Hills was incorporated in 1950. That same year, Vestavia Hills Baptist Church purchased the property of the estate and began holding worship services on the site. They used the house for offices and Sunday School classes.

As early as 1968 the Vestavia Hills Baptist was making plans to demolish the home in preparation for the construction of a new church building. The Women's Civic Club of Birmingham, the Women's Committee of 100 and the Women's Chamber of Commerce joined in opposing the demolition plans and wrote and telephoned area leaders to plea for its preservation. The effort failed, however, and the house was demolished in 1971 to clear the way for the church's new sanctuary.

The church donated the Sibyl Temple to the Vestavia Hills Garden Club, which moved it to its current location on the mountain at Highway 31. The Temple serves as a silhouette for the city of Vestavia Hills, marking the northern entrance into the city. The temple has suffered from deterioration due to the elements as well as some vandals, but was recently restored and opened again to the public.

References

• Riley, Cindy (Summer 2004). "Vestavia's Sibyl Temple." Alabama Heritage. University of Alabama Press
• "3 civic clubs launch drive to save Vestavia" (November 1968) Birmingham News - accessed via Birmingham Rewound