Senator Ellis House – Abandoned House

Located in the small town of Adamsville, Alabama, this Colonial-style home sits back off the road on a hill, and for years included quite a bit of acreage. This is the former family home of Alabama state legislator Robert “Bob” L. Ellis, Jr. Bob Ellis was born in 1922 in Ensley and graduated from Minor High School. He attended both the University of Alabama and Auburn University before he served in the U.S. Army Corps during World War II. After serving his country, Bob Ellis worked for the Southern Natural Gas Company for 32 years as a mechanical engineer.

In 1942, Bob Ellis married Mary Florence Thomas, and the couple later had three children. Mary worked for Parisian and was involved in many civic organizations. She was a member of the nearby Midway United Methodist Church for 79 years where she was a youth Sunday School teacher. In addition, she also served as president of Docena Elementary and Minor High School PTA, was a charter member and president of the Adamsville Lioness Club, and a Girl Scout Leader for 24 years. During her time with the Girl Scouts, she became Camp Coleman Director and was awarded the Council’s Thanks Badge.

In 1960, Ellis was elected to the Jefferson County Board of Education, a position he would hold for six years. He served in the House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974 and in the Alabama Senate from 1974 to 1978. In the 1970s, Governor George Wallace visited his home and spent the night. As a state senator, Ellis secured more than $30 million in public funds for District 14. Bob Ellis was elected as a Jefferson County representative to Alabama’s first Silver-Haired Legislature in 1993, an elected group of senior citizens who pass resolutions that are presented to the Alabama Legislature for consideration.

In 2006, Bob Ellis, Jr. passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. His wife, Mary, lived in the house until her death in 2016 at the age of 92. The property was passed down to their son, Don W. Ellis. He sold the property several years ago. The house changed hands several times before it became bank owned and sold off in parcels. In March 2022, a group of investors purchased the last remaining 3-acre parcel that included the house. The former Ellis home has been renovated and is currently for sale.

Thank you for reading. Please share the blog with your friends. I appreciate the support.