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Henry Stuart was Diagnosed with Tuberculosis
Informed by his doctor that he only had a year to live, Henry Stuart bought 10 acres of land outside of Fairhope, Alabama. With the advice that the warmer climate would help with the disease, Stuart moved to Alabama to live out his last days in isolation.
[Photo of Henry Stuart displayed in Tolstoy Park hut] -
Between 1925-1926 Henry Stuart Built the Hut
The dome-shaped house, later referred to as the "Hermit Hut" or "Tolstoy Park," was made built by Stuart using handmade blocks. The hut was designed specifically to be hurricane proof. -
Henry Became Well-Known in the Area
From 1926 to 1944, Stuart became well-known locally because of the interesting nature of his hurricane-proof house.
[Public Domain Photo] -
Stuart Moved Back to Idaho
Stuart left Alabama in 1944, leaving behind journals that documented visitors like a guest book. According to the many names listed in his journal, Stuart was not the hermit that he set out to be.
https://www.al.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/06/1b8d0f3c784093/the-story-behind-the-hermit-hut-in-alabama-parking-lot.html -
Henry Stuart Died at age 88
Two years after leaving Alabama to move back to his home state, Henry Stuart passed away. Stuart outlived his doctor's prediction by more than two decades.
[Public Domain Photo] -
Sonny Brewer Published "The Poet of Tolstoy Park"
After becoming infatuated with the Hermit Hut, Sonny Brewer researched and wrote a story based on Henry Stuart and his time in Fairhope, Al. -
The Henry Stuart House is added to the National Register of Historic Places
The full description of the house is available at the National Register of Historic Place's online archives. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/7783572 -
Today, the House is Surrounded By a Parking Lot and Office Buildings, but is Open to the Public
The house is visited by residents and travelers alike, many of whom document their visits on the park's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tolstoy-Park/783658764989029
