This Greek revival mansion was built c. 1853 for William B. King and named “Fairoaks” for the many trees found about the place. King was the nephew of Vice President William Rufus King. Ann B. Wilson, a half-sister of the builder, inherited it and in 1862 sold it to Judge Franklin W. Siddons.

During the Civil War and following the Battle of Selma the property was occupied by Wilson’s Raiders and used as a hospital for Union soldiers. The Siddons family was allowed to occupy two upstairs rooms at this time.

William Pressley Welch, purchased the place form the Siddons in 1887 and remained in his family almost 100 years. In 1980 the house was in a poor state of repair and was acquired by the City of Selma as part of a downtown stabilization program. The Alabama Historical Commission provided U.S. Department of the Interior funds which assisted with the City’s purchase and the later restoration.

Circle “S” Industries, Inc. purchased the property in April, 1981 and restored the house and its original dependencies.

On March 12, 1982 the mansion was officially dedicated in honor of Ethel Henderson Striplin, a long time Selma resident. Now called: Henderson House

Marker is at the intersection of Union Street and Furniss Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Union Street.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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