Nestled along the banks of the Bon Secour River, the Swift-Coles Historic Home, at Tidewater Mansion, stands as a testament to a bygone era, offering a window into the lives of two prominent families …
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Nestled along the banks of the Bon Secour River, the Swift-Coles Historic Home, at Tidewater Mansion, stands as a testament to a bygone era, offering a window into the lives of two prominent families who shaped the region, and stands as a testament to resilience, legacy and the enduring charm of Southern architecture.
“There are not many old homes in this part of Baldwin County,” Susan Reynolds said. “Whether that is due to new developments or storms, I don’t know.
“But it makes this house a real treasure out here.”
Reynolds, the new house manager of Swift-Coles Historic Home, continued her tour of the history-rich house showing us the original cabin, new additions as well as photographs and antique furniture.
This storied mansion, now a living museum, invites visitors to step back in time to witness the layered history of a family that helped shape the Gulf Coast’s timber industry and left an indelible mark on Baldwin County.
The story begins in 1882, when Thomas Gavin, a local Creole fisherman, built a modest four-room dog-trot style cabin along the banks of the Bon Secour River.
“It's called a dog trot because this section,” Reynolds said, motioning to the door on the side of the room we were standing in, “was open for the air circulation. There was no door here then.”
Designed for the humid Southern climate, this simple structure was constructed to allow breezes to flow through its open central hall, providing relief during the sweltering summer months. What Gavin couldn’t have known then was that his modest cabin would soon become the cornerstone of a sprawling mansion, playing host to one of the county's most prosperous families.
In 1898, lumber baron Charles Augustus Swift purchased the cabin for his growing family. At the time, Swift and his brother Ira were already well-established in the timber business, running three sawmills in the area. They had settled in southern Alabama to capitalize on the rich timberlands surrounding the area. Charles Swift and his wife, Susan Platt Roberts Swift, moved into the dog-trot cabin with their children, embarking on a new chapter in the house’s history.
As the Swifts prospered, so did their home. In 1902, Charles commissioned the first major addition to the house, transforming the modest cabin into a grander residence suitable for a growing family and a rising businessman.
“And so, then when the Swifts bought it, they already had eight children. So, they added on this part of the house,” Reynolds said motioning to the newer parts of the of the home. “They owned a lumberyard and a sawmill, and they added on this part of the house, and then they added on the second story, because once they moved in here, they had three more children.
“In total the Swifts had 11 children.”
This expansion added an entrance hall, dining room, kitchen and porches on the west side, which welcomed the cool river breeze. By 1908, the family had grown to include the 11 children Reynolds mentioned — six girls and five boys. More renovations followed, including the addition of two interior bathrooms, a modern luxury that set the Swift home apart in an era when most families still relied on outhouses.
“With these improvements, the home expanded to 16 total rooms and over 5,000 square feet and 3,000 square feet of porches,” Reynolds said.
The year 1912 brought tragedy when Charles Swift passed away unexpectedly. A year later, disaster struck again as one of his sawmills burned to the ground, a complete loss. However, the Swift family’s resilience prevailed, and Susan continued to live in the home until her death in 1932. During her time there, Susan played a key role in the development of the local community. She was instrumental in founding St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, which still stands today near the Bon Secour River, and was a figurehead for the tight-knit town.
The Swift legacy extended beyond timber. By the early 20th century, Charles Swift’s lumber operations had already evolved into Swift Supply, which remains one of the largest and oldest family-owned businesses in Baldwin County today. The lumber baron’s descendants carried forward the business, ensuring its continued success in the region.
“All this wood came from the Swift family's sawmill and lumberyard,” Reynolds said lightly touching the wood walls of the additions. “They had a sawmill that was not too terribly far away at farm. They had a commissary for their employees, which was wonderful. And then they started a little one-room schoolhouse on the property for their children and the millworkers’ children.”
According to Reynolds, while the school was not the one built by tehe family, Swift Consolidated School was named after Susan Swift.
“It's named Swift School because Mrs. Swift was the principal of her school.”
After Susan's death, the Swift children, though scattered across the country, would return to the home over the years for family gatherings. The last of the Swift family to live in the house was Susie Nell Swift Marshall, who resided there until 1976. After her passing, the home was sold to Norman Nicholas Coles, a Mobile native and Auburn University graduate. Coles was a larger-than-life entrepreneur, known for running the Friendship House restaurant and an antique shop in Gulf Shores. He poured his passion for antiques and global artifacts into the house, filling it with treasures from his travels, many of which remain on display today.
“There are some things here that belong to the Swift family,” Reynolds said as we looked at the master bed that reportedly belonged to Charles and Susan Swift. “But most of this was brought in by Nicholas Coles.”
Under Coles' ownership, the mansion became more than just a family home — it became a showcase of Southern elegance mixed with eclectic charm. With towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss shading the property and views of the peaceful Bon Secour River, the house became a beloved landmark. Upon Coles' death in 2007, he bequeathed the home to the Baldwin County Historical Development Commission (BCHDC), ensuring its preservation for future generations.
In 2009, the Swift-Coles Historic Home officially opened its doors to the public, offering tours that take visitors through its grand halls, expansive verandas and charmingly appointed rooms. Walking through the home is like taking a step back in time — an experience enhanced by the rich collection of artifacts, original furnishings and the stories of the family that lived there.
The Swift-Coles home is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture; it’s a living monument to the history of Baldwin County and the people who built the region’s timber and shipping industries. The house also reflects the broader narrative of Southern Alabama during the late 19th and early 20th centuries — a time of economic growth, natural disasters and community resilience.
In its current form, the home boasts the 16 rooms, including bedrooms, parlors and a formal dining room, all of which are styled with period-appropriate furniture and antiques. The original dog-trot cabin structure is still visible, though the sprawling mansion now envelops it. Guests can admire the craftsmanship of the era, from the intricate woodwork to the antique chandeliers that illuminate the rooms.
One particularly fascinating feature of the home is its proximity to the Bon Secour River, which played a significant role in the Swift family’s timber business. Charles Swift relied on a fleet of steamboats and barges to transport lumber from Bon Secour to Mobile, where it was shipped worldwide. Visitors can stand on the riverbank and imagine the bustling activity of the Swift family’s logging operation — steamboats arriving to collect massive rafts of logs, bound for distant shores.
Today, the Swift-Coles Historic Home is a popular destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts and those simply looking for a peaceful retreat into the past. The property is frequently used for weddings, community events and educational tours, offering guests a unique glimpse into the life of a prominent Southern family at the turn of the century. Special events often highlight local history, and the home’s grounds make for an idyllic backdrop to any occasion, especially with the recent addition of the event pavilion on the grounds.
But don’t just take our word for it, visit it for yourself. For more information about Swift-Coles Historic Home located at 17424 Swift Coles Lane, visit www.swiftcoleshistorichome.com/. And don’t forget to check to see what unique events are happening at the home. From candlelit ghost nights to holiday teas to arts and crafts days, there are many reasons to visit this historical home.
“I think these events will be a lot of fun,” Reynolds said as she looked across the home’s grounds towards the recently moved Tin Top Restaurant on Bon Secour River. “Families can get a bite to eat at Tin Top and visit us for an afternoon of history.”