I passed by this simple little California Mission Revival at 1639 Gilmer Avenue lots of times before it caught my attention. Belatedly, I determined that it was built by Alvin B Weil, of the renowned family that constituted Montgomery’s internationally known Weil Brothers Cotton Brokers. Isadora Weil, who immigrated from Bavaria, founded the company, and his sons Emil, Adolph and Lionel joined the firm as they came of age. A century or so ago, Adolph and Emil had heralded mansions on South Perry (one block over), probably Lionel as well. I think Alvin was a grandson, the first of the next generation to be taken in, but being the junior, he probably had a limited budget for this house endeavor. Nevertheless, being a Weil, he was able to secure the services of eminent architect Frank Lockwood. I cannot resist speculating on the chemistry that took place between young Alvin and the great Lockwood.
I suspect that Lockwood was taken aback at having to design a Weil residence with such a budget restraint. In response he proposed the simplest possible Mission Style roof line, and covered it with red clay roof tiles. Beneath that, on the left, he placed a small arcaded entry porch, almost Moorish in feeling; in the center he inserted 9-over-9 shuttered Georgian Colonial windows, and on the right he introduced fenestration in a Gothic motif. Who but Lockwood could combine those elements and keep a straight face? Who but Lockwood could make it look good?
Finally, I could not help but point out that Alvin’s little house was built in the side yard of the Lucian Loeb home at 1623 Gilmer. Lucian was the much admired remnant of the failed Winter-Loeb Grocery Company, the man whom the elder Weils called on in the 1920s to run their cotton biz until the next generation of Weils came of age. If you chance to drive by, observe that the two houses sit side x side, rather like a mentor and his pupil, which, of course, were the roles that occupants Lucian and Alvin once filled in the long ago.
-Charles Humphries
Alvin Weil was my father so finding this article was of great interest to me! I grew up in Memphis so never saw it!
Very interesting read! In researching the home I’m purchasing, I found that first, it was the home of Lionel Weil. Second, It was in fact Frank Lockwood that he had to create the home also. Lastly, I noticed it had a very interesting locked iron gate at the back. It’s hidden away behind the Chauffeur’s quarters and I couldn’t make sense of it at first. Turns out it’s connected through that path to the back of this home of Alvin Weil. Behind this home on the right you can see the much larger home Lionel had built.
Dear Adan,
We are Sales Agents working on commission basis in Honduras. We are looking for a regular supplier of AMERICAN GINNED COTTON, CROP YEAR 2022/2023.
We understand that you can offer. Kindly note in our area we have several new spinning mills being established and we are looking to supply them this fiber from USA origin.
We only work on commission basis, so we need your most competitive price CIFC2% Puerto Cortes, Honduras, and also
CIFC2% Puerto Acajutla, El Salvador. Payment at 120 days from B/L date. Kindly note our customers are insurable with COFACE, or Euler HERMES.
We are talking several thousand metric tons per month, in your standard size bales.
When offering kindly send us your Technical data sheet.
Best regards!
Felix Mahomar
As you can see from our previous email, this is the first time we are dealing with American Cotton Fiber. We need your kind assistance in helping us understand the way to go about it. Understand you pack it in 380 kilos bales. We are looking for a long term relationship. We have been in the textile business for over 50 years, but have never handled American Origin fibers. We have sold from fibers, yarns, fabrics, both in 100% cotton and synthetic but now have a new opportunity with these mills being established mostly for the CAFTA trade.
Your kind assistance will be highly appreciated.
Best regards!
Felix