Swift-Coles Historic Home in Bon Secour, Alabama, offers the opportunity to step into a historic home that dates back to 1882. Learn about the history of the house and the families that called it home.
Swift-Coles Historic Home
Swift-Coles Historic Home has a history dating back to 1882, when local Creole fisherman Thomas Gavin built the original four-room dog-trot style cabin on the banks of the Bon Secour River. In 1898, lumber baron Charles Augustus Swift and his wife Susan purchased the cabin and moved in with their seven children.
The Swift family expanded the home over the following decade, adding an entrance hall, dining room, kitchen, and porches in 1902, and two interior bathrooms by 1908, considered very modern for the era.
After Susan's death in 1932, the home eventually passed to entrepreneur Norman Nicholas Coles in 1976, who filled it with antiques and artifacts collected during his world travels. Upon his death in 2007, Coles bequeathed the home to the Baldwin County Historical Development Commission, and it opened to the public in 2009.
House tour
Walk through this tidewater mansion and see the antiques and artifacts collected by Norman Coles alongside the original Swift family pieces.
It is really interesting walking through the historic house and seeing the add ons and changes over time.
Plan for an hour or so to walk through each of the rooms and learn about the different antiques.
Volunteers will greet you when you enter the house and explain the different sections you can explore.
Why you will love Swift-Coles Historic Home
- A rare, well-preserved look at 19th century Baldwin County
- Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage
- A beautiful riverside setting on the Bon Secour River
- Affordable admission at $10 per person
- Available as a wedding and private event venue if you want to see the grounds in a different light
Things to know when planning a visit to
Cost - $10 a person, bring cash
Address - 17424 Swift Coles Lane, Bon Secour, AL
Phone - 251-609-4578
Hours - Open Wednesday and Friday from 12 pm - 5 pm
Accessibility - There are stairs leading to the entrance of the house along with the 2nd level
Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual
Pets - Pets are not allowed in the historic home
Parking - There is parking near the main entrance to the historic home.
Restaurants and Attractions nearby
The Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar - Southern coastal fare in a casual, family atmosphere right in the heart of Bon Secour.
Fresco in Bon Secour - Authentic Italian dining with handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza.
Billy's Seafood - An open-air seafood market on the docks in Bon Secour since 1975, family-owned and known for fresh shrimp, oysters, and crab.
Bon Secour Fisheries Seafood Market - A working shrimp and oyster producer open to the public, selling everything from head-on shrimp to live oysters right off the boat.
Aquila Seafood - A family-owned seafood market on River Road serving Baldwin County since 1971.
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Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):
Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties and Lucky Bird Vacations for an exclusive discount!
🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties
🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club
🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place
🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides
🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House
⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline
🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge
🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites
🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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