Alabama Royalty
There’s a touch of royalty nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Alabama. Surrounded by Lookout Mountain, Desoto State Park, the Little River Canyon Natural Preserve, and gorgeous Lake Guntersville, an imposing stone (and brick) castle in Fort Payne is currently on the market for a cool $4.9 million. Built and presently owned by Jeff Cook, guitarist for the band Alabama, the eight-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom palace is an eye-catcher set on 40 lush acres with a pond. The main foyer includes granite tile floors, a coffered ceiling, crystal chandelier, and a pair of curved hardwood staircases. The grand room features an immense stone fireplace that stretches more than two stories tall with balconies that overlook the immense chamber. A couple of kitchens and a formal banquet room with picture windows offering views of the grounds are sufficient to entertain a few hundred guests.
The owner’s suite offers “his” and “hers” bathrooms. A sunken garden tub and a hot tub are the main attractions in the lady’s bath; the gentleman will have to make do with a simple yet immaculate tile shower. The guest suite features an amenity ideal for any overnight company—a heart-shaped garden tub. There’s a game room with a billiard table, an exercise room, and even more bedrooms in case the summer soirées get out of control.
The Fort Payne castle does boast two amenities not usually found in palatial estates south of Nashville: a recording studio and a guitar-shaped swimming pool complete with a two-tier waterfall. Private balconies extend around the courtyard surrounding the pool area. Appointments for those with serious inquiries can be made by calling 205-401-7045. And for God’s sake, if you do qualify for a showing, don’t refer to the pool as a “cement pond.” Fort Payne folks have grown weary of that joke.


