2017 April 22, Saturday, Touring the Lairmore House Florence, Alabama Tour guide Billy Warren

One of the sites to tour during the Florence Walking tour was the Larimore House, led by Billy Warren, a retired school teacher.

The front side of Larimore and the tour group 

Home of T.B. and Esther Gresham Larimore
Mars Hill Academy, 1871-1887

Behind the Larimore House

The Gothic-style house, built by Theiphilus Brown Larimore and his wife, Esther Gresham Larimore, is located near the site of a foundry and arsenal of the War Between the States.
It served as a school from 1871 to 1887 to train ministers and Christian workers of the Church of Christ.
It was used from 1947 to 1968 for classes at Mars Hill Bible School.

Theiphilus Brown Larimore was born July 10, 1843, and died March 18, 1929.
Brother Larimore began preaching soon after he was baptized and did so whenever an opportunity arose. He taught school at Mars Hill and preached three times, sometimes on Sunday.
He preached all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba.
Larimore died & is buried in Orange County, California, at Fairhaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
His second wife, Susan Emma Page Larimore, is buried next to her husband, Mr. Larimore.
Susan wrote a column for the Gospel Advocate, Children's Corner, and several books.

His first wife was Julia Esther Gresham Larim, born on July 11, 1845, and died on March 4, 1907

Inscribed on her tombstone 

Went home March 5, 1907

A dutiful daughter, a loyal, helpful, hopeful wife, a model mother, a sweet singer, a truly conscientious, consistent Christian, always consecrated Christian, always consecrated. Faithful to Christ and his cause, she was perfectly prepared for that lovely home where sorrows and said separations are unknown, "where life is eternal and a treasure sublime. Farewell, sweet wife-by grace divine. We'll meet you "over there," your lonely husband. 

They had six children:

Mary Delilah Larimore George 1869-1959

Grandville Lipscomb Larimore 1871-1925

Theiphilus Brown Larimore 1872-1903

William Herschell Larimore 1874-1928

Julia Esther Larimore White 1876-1960

Andrew Virgil Larimore 1879-1972

Article from the Gospel Advocate 1870 Advertising the Mars Hill Academy
For males and females
This Institution situated four miles Northeast of Florence, Alabama on the highway leading from Florence to the justly celebrated "Bailey Springs, " will be ready for the reception of pupils by January 1 1871.
The location is free from all temptation to extravagance, and health and convenience cannot be excelled.
Boarding, washing, lights, and fuel $75.00
Tuition $20
The contingent fee is $5.00

Piano from the family collection

Mantel inside the Larimore Home

Family photos line the wall along the staircase leading upstairs.s

Billy Warren gave a speech about the Larimore House & several Larimore family members were touring the house for the first time, there to learn more about the history of their families. 

I joined several for a meal in the basement.
We were served pork, green beans, and sweet potato casserole with iced tea. 

I walked outside and took pictures of the Rose bushes in full bloom. 

On July 20, 2018, the Larimore Home caught fire and was severely damaged, leaving its repairability in doubt.
Power to the house was previously cut due to another small fire about ten days before the one in July.