Tag Archives: Virginia & Richard Scruggs

Annual Gathering, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, family history, Heritage Society, Historic Preservation, Membership, Red Mountain, Research

Sunset on Red Mountain

The highly anticipated annual event for the 2025 Heritage Society Gathering was at the residence built for Herbert Clark and Virginia Stockham in 1924 by Miller & Martin Architects. Atop Red Mountain on Argyle Road, the Tudor-styled home was called ‘Cragmoor’ in reference to the stone cottages and mists of the English Lake Country.

Historical photograph of the residence of Herbert and Virginia Stockham, located at 2930 Argyle Road, viewed from the south across the Sunken Garden, taken in 1938.

Herbert’s father, William Stockham, purchased the ‘Cragmoor’-lot 24 of Milner Heights-in 1919 and gave it to his oldest son Herbert Clark several years later. Herbert then immediately married Virginia Cannon, and began construction on the home (2930 Argyle Road) where he raised his children, Virginia Lee and Herbert Cannon, for the next 30 years.

A greatly-respected business industrialist, Herbert Clark Stockham proceeded to lead Stockham Pipe founded by his father in 1903 to national and international success. Herbert Clark Stockham died in 1958, and his wife Virginia in 1964, and the home was purchased by Martha & Marion Brodnax.

A portrait of Herbert Clark Stockham, featuring a middle-aged man with glasses, short hair, and wearing a suit. The background includes text about his contributions and character.

Improvements to the front entrance, kitchen, porch area, and garage were added in 1984 by new homeowners Virginia & Richard Scruggs, who sold it to Doug Click and Gregg MCormick in 2023, our generous hosts for this event. They recently added a pool/activity area and are landscaping the forested ridge.

Our Heritage Society Hosts: Doug Click, Gregg McCormick, and Virginia Scruggs
Party Planners; Virginia Markstein, Jay Draper, Mark Thompson
Interior view of a sunlit room with stone walls, featuring a large potted plant, a ceiling fan, and windows that provide natural light.
A gathering of people in a well-lit, cozy living room featuring comfortable seating and large windows, with some individuals engaging in conversation and others interacting with children.
A group of people gathered by a swimming pool in a lush garden setting during a sunny day, surrounded by trees and residential architecture.
Outdoor gathering at a historic stone house with a lawn, featuring two women conversing by a green table and several guests seated around tables.
View of a stone pathway leading to a gathering at the historic Cragmoor residence, with several people mingling near tables adorned with green tablecloths, surrounded by greenery and landscaping.
Guests mingling and enjoying food at the 2025 Heritage Society Gathering in a beautifully decorated room of the historic Cragmoor residence.
A gathering of people enjoying an outdoor event near a swimming pool at sunset, with chairs set up on a lawn overlooking a scenic view.
View from a window showing a pool area and a gathering of people outside, with greenery and hills in the background.
An outdoor gathering with people seated at tables near a pool, in front of a large Tudor-style house during sunset.

In the meantime, Herbert Clark’s father, William, had purchased another 200 acres on Red Mountain’s crest and southern slope in 1922 for $250,000, the city’s largest real estate transaction at the time. William Stockham subdivided 50 acres at the crest for his 10-acre personal residence at 2950 Argyle Road, and set aside lots for his two younger sons, Douglass and Richard. His two younger sons never built on their property and sold it in the mid-1950’s.

Herbert Clark’s son, Herbert Cannon Stockham, married Peggy Roundtree in 1954 and built a home on portions of Lot 24 adjacent to his parent’s home at 2940 Argyle Road This home remained in the Stockham family until 2021. Read the complete history here.

Missed this event but want to join? Thank you for your support!