Buena Vista is a beautiful antebellum plantation house built circa 1822. It is an example of the early plantation homes incorporating European fashions and materials in the "Deep South" architecture. Built of heart pine, Buena Vista was originally Federal in style. The Greek Revival facade was later added by the Stewart family. The Montgomery family history says that finishing materials for the home were shipped from England to Mobile and then transported up the Alabama River to Washington landing. From there they were transported by mule-drawn carts to the house.

On both the first and second floors of this three-story house is a central hall with two rooms on each side. In each of the rooms downstairs you will see beautiful moldings and medallions created by artisans from England.

A circular staircase spiraling twenty-four feet is a notable feature of the house. The mahogany base of the staircase is made of one piece. This beautifully designed staircase and the central hallway are said to have been duplicated in Andrew Jackson's home, the Hermitage, in Nashville, Tenn. An expanded design of this stairway was also used when the Capitol in Montgomery was built. The third floor of the house is one large room with fan-light windows on both gables. It is said to have been used at different times as a small ballroom, an infirmary, and a gaming room.

Likely started by one of the previous land owners, John W. Freeman or Josiah Huie, this house was completed by Captain William Montgomery after he obtained the property in 1844. This stately house remained in the Montgomery family until 1910, when it was purchased by Mary Emma Scott Stewart. The Stewarts added a full length wooden portico and the large Greek ionic columns, changing the facade to Greek Revival. Later Jacob Janes owned the house for two years.

In 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Whittaker purchased the house and named it "Buena Vista." Mrs. Catherine Whittaker restored the home and is responsible for its survival and for our enjoyment of its beauty and charm. The Whittakers modernized the house by adding indoor plumbing and electricity for the kitchen and the two bathrooms upstairs. They also bricked the front porch and added the wrought iron on the balcony. The house remained in the Whittaker family until 1978, when it was inherited by M.W. Petrey, Jr.

In 1982 Union Camp Corporation purchased Buena Vista and gave the Autauga County Heritage Association the privilege and responsibility of maintaining and preserving the house. International Paper, the successor of Union Camp, donated the house to the heritage association in 2007.