trying not to confuse Hendricks with Hendrix.
The Barclift Inn is historically significant for its role as a tavern along the Huntsville to Tuscaloosa stagecoach road and later as the home of several prominent Blountsville families. Constrcuted circa 1834 for James Hendricks [by his brother-in-law, Daniel Rector, married to James’ sister Sarah Sallie Hendricks], the house is also the oldest surviving building in town. Although altered, the overall historic appearance of the building retains integrity. The period of significance for the resource is from circa 1833, the date of its construction, though circa 1945, when the exterior was remodeled to its present appearance.
The Barclift Inn was constructed circa 1834 for James Hendricks. Hendricks had acquired the land in 1833 (from corrospondence from William Rector Erwon to Robert Gamble, Sept. 24, 2002). The 1850 census records Hendricks, a fifty-year old tavern keeper, living in Blountsville with his wife Nancy, a daughter Assenath, and two others: E.H. Brown, a blacksmith, and A.M. Gibson, an attorney. Hendricks listed real estate valued at $3500. Research conducted by William Rector Irwin indicates that only seven individuals in the area had estates valued higher than Hendricks at that time.
“The Hendricks Tavern was a landmark on the Huntsville Road that was frequented by Alabama’s elite, as well as by others. The Battles and Clays were familiar with ‘Hendricks’.” (Ibid.) Ms. Suzanna Clay Withers Battle, the wife of William Agustus Battle of Tuscaloosa and the niece of Governor Clement Corner Clay, wrote in 1848 that she had traveled with her husband to Tuscaloosa along the Huntsville Road and that they made stops at Lacey’s, Hendricks, the Widow Massey’s, and McMaths.
Hendricks is not listed in the 1860 census in Blountsville. By the late 19th century, the Barclift family was operating the tavern. The 1880 census lists Henry Barclift, a dry goods merchant, living with his wife Clara A. Barclift. W.F. Hendrix purchased the property from Mrs. C.A. Barclift on December 15, 1906. On December 3, 1920, W.F. Hendrix sold the property to W. R. Hendrix. During the Hendrix family ownership, the hotel was operated by W.F. Hendrix’s wife and by Batch and Rachel Hendrix.
W.R. Hendrix sold the property to A.J. Buttram on January 29, 1929. Buttram in turn sold it to Nettie Nation on February 12 of the following year. After passing through ownership by Shirley Nation, C.S. Nation sold the property to Emaline Faires Whitehead on August 26, 1935. R.C. Copeland purchased the property from Whitehead on April 23, 1945 and sold it to Dr. E.T. Brown on September 22, 1949. The house was subsequently owned by Worth and Irene Ratliff who remodeled it into apartments.
(excerpt from the PreserveALA, Alabama Historical Commission’s report on the property)