This house - up the street from us - is called the "Tabby House" because of its style of construction. Many people think that the siding has been removed but this was how the house was constructed. Tabby was the concrete of the 1800's in this area. If you walk by, you can clearly see oyster shells, sand, and other bits of beach because that's how tabby was made. They basically scooped up beach (okay, they collected oyster shells and sand), added lime and water, poured it into forms, and let it harden to make a wall. Our foundation is made from tabby but the Tabby House is constructed entirely from this product.Many people confuse tabby with coquina, which looks similar, but was actually a mined product. It was very popular in St. Augustine because it was available there. The Spanish influence in St. Augustine had alot to do with coquina construction because the Spaniards were familiar with the product as it was used quite a bit in their homeland.
2 comments:
I've just become aware of "tabby concrete" on a recent trip to Atlanta. After searching for the term on google I encountered your blog entry. Is the Tabby House a private residence? Coincidentally, I'll be traveling to Amelia Island this summer and would like to check it out if possible. Thanks!
The Tabby House is, indeed, private so the inside cannot be toured. The side of the house sits very close to the sidewalk, however, so you can still get a close look at the part that intrigues you. In fact, it's right up the street from us so if you're looking for a place to stay onthe island, I recommend us ...
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