Historic Home Spotlight: The Dilworth House (1931) - 1302 Ward Avenue

Located at the southeast corner of Ward Avenue and Minor Street, 1302 Ward Avenue is one of Five Points’ charming “sister houses” with a story that spans nearly a century.

The property was purchased in 1927 by William P. Dilworth, owner of Dilworth Lumber Company, along with the adjacent lot at 1306 Ward Avenue. In 1931, two identical bungalow homes were built on these lots. Local lore says Mr. Dilworth constructed the homes for his daughters, creating the beloved sister houses that still stand today. A newspaper article from the time proudly noted that the bungalows would be “modern in every way,” with each home estimated to cost $2,000.

Over the years, 1302 Ward Avenue has evolved while carefully preserving its historic character. A small addition to the rear of the home and a detached garage were added in 1970, and the interior was renovated in 2019.

John and Amanda Rice purchased the home in 2021 and embarked on an extensive renovation the following year. A mudroom was added, yellow vinyl siding was removed, insulation was installed, and new wood siding along with an updated color palette restored the home's classic bungalow charm.

The Rices also transformed the backyard into an inviting gathering space, adding a new deck, courtyard, detached garage, and grilling area designed to take full advantage of the outdoor space. To preserve the history of the home, original exterior wood was repurposed as window trim and installed on a feature wall inside the new garage overlooking the courtyard. The living space above the garage now includes an office, fitness room, half bath, and storage area.

Sustainability played an important role in the 2022 renovation. The circa 1970 deck and detached garage were removed, but many of the materials found new life elsewhere. Decking materials were reused by the family's handyman, rafters were donated for use in a church building project, and the yellow vinyl siding was repurposed by the contractor for use on a barn. During the COVID era, it was important to the homeowners that as much material as possible be reused rather than discarded.

One of the most memorable moments of the renovation came as work was underway in 2022, when a previous owner delivered a pen-and-ink rendering of 1302 Ward Avenue by Huntsville artist Jerry Brewer. What a wonderful surprise and a beautiful reminder of the home's enduring place in the Five Points community.

Today, John and Amanda Rice say they simply love living in Five Points.

Many thanks to Judy Perszyk for researching and preserving the original history of this special home.