| "Sunset Hill" is an imposing example of the Greek Revival style popular in the South during the prosperous years before the Civil War. Built for D.F. Alexander in 1847 and extensively remodeled and expanded in 1853 by William Reid Cunningham, the house exhibits major stylistic references to Asher Benjamin's "The Practical House Carpenter" and "Practice of Architecture." The house is also historically significant as the residence of Reuben Davis, a prominent attorney, statesman, and author. The house was individually listed on the National Register on 16 November 1978. It was later included as a element #6 in the the West Commerce Street Historic District, which was placed on the National Register on 22 February 1988 as a part of the Aberdeen Multiple Resource Area. (In the district nomination, the house was rated as "pivotal" [i.e. "pivotally contributing"], but that rating is no longer used. Because it was already listed on the National Register when the district was documented, its correct status is "previously listed.") It was designated a Mississippi Landmark on 27 February 1987. This house is included in "A Guide to Early American Homes – South" (1956) (p. 132), "Shrines to Yesterday" (1968), "Historic Architecture in Mississippi" (1973) (pp. 135-136), "Old Homes of Mississippi, Volume II: Columbus and the North" (1977) (pp. 63-64), "Architecture of the Old South: Mississippi – Alabama" (1989), "The Majesty of Eastern Mississippi and the Coast" (2004) (p.14), and "Buildings of Mississippi" (2020) (p.177, PR9). [HABS: MS-74 (1936)] |