A Visit to Unclaimed Baggage

In August 2019 my brother Richard and I made a trip to Scottsboro and visited among other places Unclaimed Baggage. Their web site will tell you the store's history and how the business works. You can read my two-part report of that visit to Scottsboro here and here. This past December 26, Dianne, my son Amos and daughter-in-law Kim made the trip to the popular attraction. Amos had also visited long ago, but the ladies had never been. So on a gray, drizzly day we traveled north from Pelham. 

By the time we arrived everybody was hungry, so the first thing we did was find a place to eat. Payne's Soda Fountain and Sandwich Shop on the courthouse square was open, and we stopped in there. The popular place was busy, but we were seated quickly. We all enjoyed our meals; Kim and I had their BLTs and some fruit. Strangely, they don't do fries. Dianne and I had some delicious ice cream, too!

Unclaimed Baggage was next, and we stayed for maybe 90 minutes. Kim and Amos found a few t-shirts, and Amos bought a book. Dianne purchased a couple of small pieces of jewelry; she said most of what they had was overpriced. I bought three books. All-in-all the visit was a disappointment. Naturally the place was packed the day after Christmas, and I had no interest in the clothes, hats, jewelry, sunglasses, electronic geegaws, etc. 

However, since the time Richard and I visited an Unclaimed Baggage Museum has been opened within the store, and that was pretty interesting. Comments are below some of the photos.

We parked at the side entrance, which is not far from the museum gallery. 

The "oddities and treasures" range from shrunken heads to a basketball signed by Michael Jordan. On the cover of the pamphlet is Hoggle, a life-size Jim Henson puppet that appeared with David Bowie in the 1986 film Labyrinth.

Even medieval armor has found its way to Scottsboro.

The Gucci suitcase carried Egyptian artifacts dating back to 1500 BC that included a burial mask and ancient coins. Who leaves this kind of stuff unclaimed?

That violin dates to 1770.

I had to laugh when I came across this 2008 novel by Lawrence Block featuring Keller, his lonely hit man character. Someone shelving this book must have assumed it was about baseball.

The courthouse gazebo was decorated for Christmas and holiday music played all over the square. The building was the scene of various trials of the nine Scottsboro Boys in the early 1930s. I wrote about that and the Scottsboro Boys Museum in the previous posts linked in the first paragraph of this one.

Payne's Soda Fountain and Cafe celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019. The business has been located on the courthouse square since February 1891.

Here's a totally random photo I took on the way home as we drove from Scottsboro to I-59. I have a fond memory of  Attalla. When we were young sprouts, my brother and I used to separately visit our grandparents in Gadsden in the summer for a week at a time. On one of those visits my grandmother Rosa Mae Wright took me to a theater in Attalla to see Sink the Bismarck!, a 1960 British film. We saw the movie in the afternoon, before picking up my grandfather Amos J. Wright, Sr., at his job as yard foreman for the L&N railroad.

What's Coming to the Blog in 2025?

Since 2015 I have begun each year with a post outlining some of the pieces I'd like to write in the coming year. These posts have become a history of futility on this blog. I list some topics I'd like to cover, and in the coming year I might get one or two of them done. So many topics, so little time, so many new topics popping up all the time. If you have the inclination, you can read all about it: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. 

For instance, last year's listing included the item, "Five Points South in Birmingham in 1987"; I have a neat map to use with it. I also had on my dance card "Louisa Shepard, MD". She was the first southern woman to be awarded a medical degree from a southern institution. She graduated from the Graefenberg Medical Institute operated in Dadeville by her father, Dr. Philip Madison Shepard, from 1852 until 1861. Then there were R.G. Armstrong and Henry Walthall, two Alabama natives who became incredibly busy actors. You might recognize Armstrong, who was born in Pleasant Grove; he appeared in so many films and tv shows before his death in 2012. Walthall never appeared on television; he died in 1936. Born on a cotton plantation in Shelby County, he made dozens of silent and sound films from 1909 until his death. Finally, one topic I mentioned for the 2024 list was Livingston Press, an independent publisher based at the University of West Alabama that since the 1970s has issued numerous works of fiction and other genres.

Perhaps in 2025 I'll get to one or all of these posts. What others would I like to write? Well, there's part 2 of "Alabama on the Hollywood Walk of Fame". I only managed the first half of the alphabet in part 1. Speaking of women doctors in the state, there's the sad tale of Laura Burton and Irene Bullard, two physicians who established a joint practice in Birmingham before World War I. Unfortunately, Burton was murdered by her second husband and Bullard left the state. It's quite a tale.

Earlier this year I wrote about a portion of my ticket stubs collection, the ones for concerts. Next I'd like to do one on the stubs I have for sporting events. Finally, I hope to get around to a post on the visit son Amos and I made in January 2023 to the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. I've already completed one on another place we visited on that trip, the Capitol and Old Tavern.

I thought about doing an inventory from all these "What's Coming" posts of ideas I listed but have yet to write about. That thought quickly gave me a headache. Well, I guess I'll be back in January 2026 to see how all this speculation for 2025 turned out.

Alabama on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2)

I've written posts about Wilson here, here and here. She's one of many with state connections who will be featured in part 2.

Laura Evelyn Compton and first husband Captain Chesley Thomas Bartee on their wedding day 25 November 1893, Nanafalia, Alabama.

Compton later divorced her steamship captain husband, went to medical school and married fellow student Allen Burton. They moved to Birmingham, and Laura set up a practice with Irene Bullard. They had an office in the original Watts building. Laura was later murdered by her husband, and Irene left the state to practice elsewhere. See this site for more information.

Some Birmingham Barons ticket stubs in my collection. My son and I attended a Barons game this past August, and the only "stub" I have is a printout of the confirmation email I received. Pathetic. I ask you, what kind of world is it without colorful, meaningful ticket stubs?

I'm an Auburn fan, but I will try to do justice to this topic. War Eagle!

Paul W. Bryant Museum

Joe Louis on Tour during World War II

Professional heavyweight boxer Joe Louis is one of the most famous sports figures native to Alabama, and one of the first African-Americans to become a national hero. Louis was born near Lafayette in Chambers County on May 13, 1914. In 1926 his family moved to Detroit where his stepfather found work in the auto industry. Louis discovered boxing in a local gym and by 1934 had a 50-4 amateur record. On July 4 of that year he entered his first professional fight, which lasted less than two minutes. Within two years Louis won 27 fights, many against well-known opponents. He lost his first professional bout in June 1936 against Nazi Germany's Max Schmeling. In the June 1938 rematch Louis knocked out Schmeling in the first round, and instantly became a hero in both white and black America. 

The Encyclopedia of Alabama article linked above, by Jim Lewis, describes Louis' military service during the Second World War:

"Louis's boxing career was interrupted in 1942 when he enlisted in the Army after the United States had officially entered World War II the previous year. During his military service, Louis participated in 96 boxing exhibitions to raise money for Armed Services relief funds as well as to boost morale. Louis's high profile also advanced the cause of desegregating the armed forces. Louis was able to use his status to help future baseball great Jackie Robinson and several other African American soldiers gain admittance to Officer Candidate School."

Thus we come to "Louis on Tour", an article that appeared in the September 13, 1943 issue of Life magazine. I came across this item as my brother Richard and I continue to go through our parents' house in Huntsville. Dad kept a big stack of issues from his Gadsden parents' subscription; most are from the 1940s during World War II.

The brief text and photos describe his activities at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on August 30, 1943, as he begins "a 100-day boxing and physical-fitness tour under auspices of the Army's Special Services Division....Affable and at home on his feet, he gives a gracious and fluent  talk on physical fitness and how to be a good soldier." Those 100 days would include both daily boxing matches and public appearances. "[M]any find a quiet parable in racial good will...hundreds of white soldiers, officers and men, are proud to shake his hand."

Other activities depicted in this photo essay include signing autographs at the base hospital for wounded from North Africa, greeting the post commander, attending a service club dance, and inspecting a marching formation of nurses. 

Joe Louis died on April 12, 1981. In 2010 a statue of him was placed in Lafayette near the Chambers County Courthouse. 

I've written some other pieces on this blog related to Louis. One told the story of Coley Wallace, who played Louis in the movies. Another described The Phynx, a very strange 1970 film in which Louis appeared. I also posted about Joseph E. Pullum, an Anniston native who in 1935 recorded "Joe Louis is the Man", the first of more than 40 songs about the boxer written and recorded in the 1930s and 1940s. 

The cover story examined that strange new item of women's fashion, leotards. 

Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama

Issued June 22, 1993

First US stamp to honor a professional boxer

Issued on 55th anniversary of Louis's most famous match (and victory) against Nazi Germany's Max Schmeling

Part of the Sport Series of US stamps

Stamp Category:  Commemorative

Set:  Sports Series

Value:  29¢, First Class Mail Rate

Source: Mystic Stamp Company

See link for more information about the stamp's design, the artist. etc. 

Branch Books 2 in Cullman

In July I wrote a piece on Branch Books in Hartselle. As I noted then, "I've written a number of blog posts about Alabama bookstores past and present. There's even a blog post linking to many of them." The owners of the Hartselle store, Robert and Cheryl Kahlstorf, opened another store in Cullman in early July that offers inventory they didn't have room for in Hartselle. 

Naturally I had to check it out and made a visit in early December. Like the other store, the new one offers used books in many categories ranging from adult fiction to history, religion, children's books, etc. Also on sale are DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. 

I found a few books to buy, including a special one noted at the end. If you are in the area, a stop at either book store is well worth the time.

You can also visit the stores' web site and Facebook page.

I found this item for my son Amos, signed by the author. Barra grew up in Birmingham and has also published a history of Rickwood Field. 

In These Days of Modern Times (2)

Sometimes I just like to be silly on this blog, so here we go.

In October 2021 I did one of these pieces using photos of Amazon deliveries to our house. Here's the introduction:

"We seem to have had a lot of Amazon orders delivered lately [for some mysterious reason!], and many of them come with an email and a photograph of the item(s) on our porch. I present some here for the general amusement of the  readers to show the endless variety of Amazon delivery placement on this porch. The pumpkins are keeping watch. 

A tip of the hat to all the anonymous Amazon drivers and photographers out there.

To be continued, I'm sure..."

That intro referred to Halloween pumpkins we had on the porch at the time.

In this post I've chosen photos from the same month, different years. Believe me, there were a lot of other choices, so these are just a sampling. 

As the man said, to be continued, I'm sure.... 

July 2023

July 2024

June 2022

June 2024

March 2023

March 2024

December 2021

December 2023

September 2022

Some nice shadow effects...

September 2023

Here's an outlier, left at the side door.

Birmingham Postcard: Electrik Maid Bake Shop & Restaurant

I recently added this postcard to my collection and decided to find out what I could on the business, "The South's Finest Retail Bakery & Restaurant". I didn't uncover much, but here we are.

A business named the Electric Maid Bake Shop filed incorporation papers with the state on November 15, 1929. The Bizapedia site where I found that information did not include an address, but gave the names of three incorporators: Bessie Helms Clark, Ralph Clark and S.J. Redmon. Via Ancestry.com I found these individuals, all living in Andalusia in Covington County. Bessie [1897-1995] was married to Ralph, an attorney who died in 1963. In the 1910 U.S. Census S.J. Redmon was listed as a carpenter. Huh. 

Well, that strangely named shop may have operated in Andalusia, not Birmingham. Let's move on.

The BhamWiki site has a massive listing for the occupants over time of addresses along 20 Street South in the Magic City. Lo and behold, at the address 1014 20th Street, we find the Electrik Maid Bake Shop operating from 1941 until 1953. The last image below is taken from the 1945 Birmingham Yellow Pages and shows the bakery, designated "No. 1", phone 7-5871. That spot on 20th is now occupied by the Homewood Suites Five Points South. Other business once located on the site include Piggly Wiggly, Winn-Dixie, and the Five Points Music Hall. 

I next found the business later in the 1950s at the Alabama Company Directory site. That listing describes a Jefferson County incorporation on April 25, 1956, for the Electrik Maid Bake Shop. Three individuals were listed, and I located some information about them via Ancestry. William S. Levey was 25 years old in the 1950 U.S. Census, living in Mountain Brook and his occupation given was partner in a retail bakery. He died in 1996 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. All I found on Mary Joe Rice were dates, born in 1924 and died in 1972. Ralph Bryant Tate was a 38-year old attorney in 1950, living in Birmingham. He died in 1999 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. 

According to the Directory, the business was dissolved on February 12, 1957, less than a year later. Perhaps the partners had a falling out. At any rate, as we can see on the card, the bakery AND restaurant operated in the Shephard-Sloss building at 2011 Highland Avenue when the card was issued. Bhamiki's entry for Highland Avenue tells us the business was located there from 1946-1964. The address has also been the location for an antique shop and several bars over the years.

I suppose we can conclude the Electrik Maid Bakery etc [what a strange name!] was open  until at least 1964. Further research into old telephone directories, city directories, etc, would probably turn up more details. 

As we learn from the back, this "Natural Color Post Card" was manufactured by the E.C. Kropp Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was active from 1907 until 1956. Thus the card is perhaps early or mid-1950s. We are also informed that the Electrik Maid "offers the public the finest in Home Cooked Meals and Baked Delicacies" and is "Recommended by the American Automobile Association." 

You can actually visit the Electrik Maid Bake Shop today, but you'll have to go to Biloxi, Mississippi. That so-named business has operated there for over 100 years. The use of "Electric" or "Electrik" Maid has popped up in other areas of the country as well.

Isn't historical research fun?

More comments below some of the images. 

This photo is from Google Maps and taken May 2024. The door in the center and window to the left in the building now at 2007 Highland Avenue would seem to match the postcard view. 

Birmingham Yellow Pages 1945