The original Center House was destroyed by fire on February 20th, 1829 and was rebuilt that same year. It was rebuilt on its present location in 1907 after being condemned and demolished along with most of the original buildings and walls. Only the name, “Center House” remains intact from the original building.
Modern-day Marine Officers are still carrying on the traditions of those before them, such as the “clever young gentlemen” mentioned in the diary of Rear Admiral Raphael Semmes, a Confederate States Naval Officer who commanded C.S.S. Alabama (which held the record for Union ships sunk or captured), who was held prisoner in Center House from December 29th, 1865 to April 7th, 1866 while awaiting trial on charges of treason and piracy. Admiral Semmes’ complete diary entry read, “The Marine Lieutenants are clever young gentlemen and their companionship is pleasant, as we converse freely that may suggest themselves.” (Admiral Semmes, following a full investigation of his Civil War exploits, was released without trial, which ended his stay at Center House).