Buena Vista is a beautiful historic plantation home that incorporates European fashions and materials in a Greek Revival adaptation of its original Federal style. Construction is purported to have begun circa 1822, but the house was not completed until the late 1840s. According to Montgomery family history much of the materials for the house were shipped from Birmingham, England. The original chandeliers were brass and unusual in that they burned pure lard as a fuel. The doorknobs and other hardware were of silver.
A typical central-hall type, the house has two rooms on each side of both the first two floors. The old structure's third floor is one large room with fanlight windows. Known for many years as Montgomery Place, the house took the name from William Montgomery who, after acquiring it in 1844, completed its construction.
Perhaps Buena Vista's most notable feature is a circular staircase spiraling twenty-four feet to the third floor. The stair has no visible means of support.
An expanded design of this style was used when the Capital in Montgomery was built. It is thought by some historians that Daniel Pratt may have had an influence on both.
The Fred Whittakers restored the house after they acquired it in 1937. It was the Whittakers who gave the name Buena Vista. Montgomery family history shares a fascinating story about a window pane in an upstairs bedroom where it is reported that Ella Montgomery tested the diamond in her ring by etching her name on the surface of the glass. For security reasons the pane has been removed to a framed wall hanging that today may be seen in the west parlor.
Learning in 1982 of a plan to relocate Buena Vista from the county, ACHA initiated a movement to block such plans. It resulted in Union Camp Corporation purchasing the stately old home. They gave ACHA the privilege and responsibility of maintaining and preserving it. In 2001 International Paper bought Union Camp and is the present owner of Buena Vista. They have continued to allow ACHA to play a major role in the preservation of this historic jewel of Autauga County
Buena Vista is open for tours and is a favorite setting for weddings, receptions, luncheons and meetings. Proceeds are used to help preserve the County's rich heritage.
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