Originally the Maxwell home, this home is presently owned by John
Bigham Barnett, III, and his wife Becky. It is a one and a half
story frame, cross-gabled Victorian Vernacular style house. It was
probably built around 1910. We know that it was built after the
Finklea/Tate House next door.
The second owner of the house was Luke Sawyer, who was sheriff of
Monroe County.
The Barnett's purchased the house in the late 1980's and remodeled
and modernized it and added vinyl siding.
CHAMBERS/LAZENBY
HOUSE:
The house was built in 1929 for Bert and Elizabeth Chambers by Mr.
Henry Hayles, who also built the Maxwell/Sawyer/Barnett house next
door. Mr. Bert Chambers, a traveling salesman, took Mr. Hayles on a
sales call to another state to show him a home that he wished to
build. It is not clear whether the home was in Mississippi or
Florida, but Mr. Hayles agreed to build a similar home, and without
any house plans, began construction.
Mr. Hayles and Mr. Chambers were purported to have hand selected all
the lumber for the home at the McCall Lumber Company, and had it
shipped to Monroeville on the railroad.
This was the first brick home in Monroeville.
During World War II, Mr. Chambers would buy and sell automobiles and
store them in his backyard. (Automobiles were rationed during the
war due to the ration on steel and rubber).
The original outhouse and "potty" still stand in the backyard, as
well as the original front porch swing.
The garage was originally one story. When the Chambers welcomed a
son, Bud, in the late 1930's, they added a second floor for his
playroom. This was totally unfinished until 2002, when it was
completely renovated by current residents, Bill and Lee Lazenby.
According to Bud Chambers, the driveway and the one directly behind
the house were originally planned as streets (Oak Street and Lloyd
Streets dead in into these driveways). According to Bud Chambers,
the town's original layout for a new block and street never
materialized.
Mrs. Elizabeth Chambers lived in the home until 1980 (51 years).
Since 1980, only five families have occupied the home, three of whom
are related. The home is currently owned by Bill and Lee Lazenby,
and their two daughters. Bill Lazenby's great grandfather's brother
was Karl Lazenby, who was Mr. Chamber's later business partner in
the Chambers-Lazenby Ford Business, which was located off the
square.
E.T.
MILLSAP/NICHOLAS/COUNTRYMAN HOUSE:
This one story frame, former Victorian vernacular "L" shaped house
is now irregularly-massed, having a five bay façade, including an
added-on wing at right. The house was constructed between 1885 and
1915. It was originally the home of E.T. (Short) Millsap, who served
as Probate Judge of Monroe County for many years.
