Sweetwater Mansion, also known as the Governor Robert Patton House, is a historic plantation house located in Florence, Alabama. Completed in 1835, the mansion is known for its architectural elegance and its association with various paranormal legends.
Sweetwater Mansion was designed by General John Brahan of the Alabama Militia, a veteran of the War of 1812. Brahan, who owned over 4,000 acres in eastern Lauderdale County, constructed the mansion using bricks made on the site of Sweetwater Creek, which runs below the house. The mansion was named after the creek.
The house was initially occupied by Robert M. Patton, Brahan’s son-in-law. Patton, who became a post-Civil War governor of Alabama, completed the construction of Sweetwater Mansion in 1835.
In recognition of its historical significance, Sweetwater Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1976.
Sweetwater Mansion is a classic example of Southern plantation architecture. Key architectural features include:
The design reflects the grandeur and style of early 19th-century Southern homes, contributing to its historical importance and aesthetic appeal.
Sweetwater Mansion is reputed to be haunted, with numerous stories of paranormal activity associated with the property:
These accounts contribute to the mansion's reputation as a site of paranormal interest.