4289 Summerfield Road
Friday, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
The Kenan House on Summerfield Road is one of the oldest homes in Dallas County. Built in 1826, the two-story Greek Revival has wings on each side of the Doric-columned portico, giving it a Federal appearance. Owned by the Kenan family since 1854, the home bears scars of the Civil War after it miraculously survived a fire set by Union troops in April 1865.
The Kenan House was built by Dr. Algernon Jeffries between Selma and Summerfield. He used lumber from the property to construct this house upon a hill which served as his home base for a medical practice. The home changed ownership several times, including purchase by the prominent Lapsley and Pickens families, until it was bought by Daniel Kenan in the 1850s.
When Union Gen. J.H. Wilson’s troops swung south through the Summerfield area on their way to Selma, the Kenan House was found unoccupied, and the federal 
cavalry piled broken furniture into the parlor and set it on fire. After leaving to march the last few miles to Selma, it is said that servants came out of hiding and put out the fire. A large charred area is still quite visible in front of the parlor fireplace.
During the 20th Century, the home was modernized with a kitchen, breakfast room and master bedroom, but most of the house remains original with heart pine floors and an attractive entryway staircase.
The large picket-fenced yard is filled with native plants including camellias, azaleas and English boxwood. After visiting the Kenan House, be sure to stop just south on County Road 37 (Summerfield Road) to visit Kenan’s Mill.The 1800’s mill has been renovated on Valley Creek and will offer stone-ground cornmeal and grits for sale.
