Sunday, October 20, 2019

Alabama History & Culture News: October 20 edition




Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these articles are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Enjoy!

Tuscaloosa Symphony, UA team up for world premiere of new opera
His University of Alabama Opera Theatre is collaborating with the ... opera, which blends the three main sharecropper families of Agee's book into one, ... [by Joseph Landers, based on James Agee's "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men"

Poetry Tribute to Helen Keller: Reading by Decatur native and writer of 'The Myth of Water' today at ...
... Helen Keller's heartbreak, Decatur native Jeanie Thompson researched the Alabama icon's life, letters and writings to pen a book of persona poetry.

Dr. Ed Bridges set to speak at BB Comer Library on Wednesday, Oct. 23
SYLACAUGA -- Dr. Ed Bridges, director emeritus of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, will be the next presenter for the B.B. Comer ...

Wiregrass Quilt Show Displays Local Talent
Dothan, Al. (WTVY) - Alabama is turning 200 and with that age comes years of history. As part of the Bicentennial celebration, Landmark Park is ...

Cemetery tour sheds light on Auburn's historic past
“You don't really hear about Alabama history, and I think a lot of people should know more about it,” Lehr said. “And it helps out the community a lot.” ...

On this day in Alabama History: The city of Irondale was incorporated
The book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café and its subsequent film adaption Fried Green Tomatoes were written by Irondale native ...

The School From Looking For Alaska Is An Almost “Inch-For-Inch” Recreation Of John Green's
Warning: Spoilers from the book, Looking for Alaska, are below. ... the world of an Alabama prep school in the author's debut novel Looking for Alaska.

Historic Great Lakes Coast Guard cutter may be headed to auction block
The Bramble, which made history at least twice in her Coast Guard career before being decommissioned in 2003, is caught up in an Alabama court ...

On this day in Alabama History: The Turlington Camellia Solar House dedicated
The Turlington Camellia Solar House was dedicated Oct. 18, 1987, in memory of Lee Turlington, the first president of the Birmingham Botanical ...

Historical marker set to be unveiled Saturday, Oct. 19, at old Mulberry Heights school building in ...
An Alabama Historical Commission marker will be unveiled at Mulberry Heights School, 740 Adams Street, Elba, on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. A ...


On Friday, his body will be escorted from a Bessemer funeral home to the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, where he will be buried.


Historian, artist Edna Ward shares collected family recipes
Along with being an artist, Edna is known for her interest in history. ... Roots, the quarterly publication of the Genealogical Society of East Alabama.


Alabama Legacy Moment: Jim Nabors
Alabama Public Television is producing a series of videos titled “Alabama Legacy Moments” that offer a quick history of the people, places and stories ...

'Courageous Eight' traveling exhibit to premiere at ASU
(WSFA) - Alabama State University, along with the Courageous Free ... and series of celebrations relating to the Voting Rights history in Alabama.


On this day in Alabama History: WBMG 42 debuted its first broadcast
WBMG debuted its first broadcast with NBC's “The Capitol: Chronicle of Freedom” on Oct. 17, 1965. The station originally only broadcast during prime ...



Dogwood Grove Missionary Baptist celebrates 100 years
Johnie Sentell presented a certificate on behalf of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission and David Hobson, director of missions for Mud Creek ...

Wetumpka's people, places greet history enthusiasts
Wetumpka's Southern hospitality and many of the area's numerous landmarks were on full display this weekend for members of the Alabama Historic ...

Genealogical Society hosting state historian
The Genealogical Society of East Alabama will host its quarterly meeting on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Museum of East Alabama in ...


HER STORY: Hydock brings story of Audrey Sheppard Williams to life on stage
... when she was approached about writing and telling Audrey Sheppard Williams' story for a Brundidge Historical Society Alabama Bicentennial event ...


“It is our stories that make us human.” Our state's best storytellers gathered at the Alabama ...
NPR's Michel Martin moderated this year's Alabama Colloquim. ... the fellows discussed topics such as Alabama's history and future as well as their ...


Congressman Jack Edwards, an Alabama legend, passes away
One of the most outstanding congressmen and leaders in Alabama history is Congressman Jack Edwards. He passed away three weeks ago at age ...


On this day in Alabama History: The Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park dedicated
Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park in Birmingham was dedicated Oct. 16, 1999, on the corner of 18th Street and Fourth Avenue N., the site of the former ...

On this day in Alabama history: Race car driver Red Farmer was born
Charles “Red” Farmer was born on this day in 1932 in Nashville. Farmer became a renowned race car driver, with his first race taking place in 1946 at ...

'13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey' fan discovers his ancestor is in book ... Sure enough, a mighty oak still stands at his burial site near South Bayou ...


Author speaks to Aggies | Opens up on 'The Story of Alabama in Fourteen Foods'
In it, Blejwas details the diverse history of Alabama by way of several popular dishes and beverages that helped shape the state into what it is today.


On this day in Alabama history: Stewart inaugurated as Montevallo president
John W. Stewart III was inaugurated as the University of Montevallo's 15th president. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, ..

After her death in 1953, Mary was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. ... studied creative writing and dance at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in downtown.

Moundville festival showcases Tuscaloosa's native history
Moundville festival showcases Tuscaloosa's native history ... younger generations with the rich history of the tribes that once populated Alabama.


On this day in Alabama history: Wild West visited Birmingham
Promising a day of amazing sights, renowned showman William F. Cody brought his famous Buffalo Bill's Wild West performers to Birmingham on Oct.

HE SEES MONSTERS: Alabama author Shaun Hamill knows what lurks in the dark
Shaun Hamill's debut novel, “A Cosmology of Monsters,” is about a family that struggles with sickness, loss, finances, communication — all sorts of ...


Frostburg's Thought-Provoking Performance of Alabama Story
A story about the controversy surrounding a children's book. ... “Alabama Story” tells all of these stories because they are all, well, Alabama stories.



BOOK REVIEW: 'Eerie Alabama' covers state's strange tales
Wandering off the main highways of Alabama can be pleasurable. Should I not also add mysterious, strange, intriguing and delightful? Yes, all those ...
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Friday, October 18, 2019

Birmingham Photos of the Day (72): Ice Delivery

Most of us give little thought to ice unless the maker on our refrigerator stops working, or we need some for a cooler we're taking on a trip. The substance has been important throughout human history for two major activities, cooling and preservation of food. At first ice from nature had to be used and was often transported long distances and stored in ice houses of various types. Over the past couple of centuries manufacturing of ice at an industrial scale has developed. 

 The photographs below relate to the production and delivery of ice in Birmingham's first half century or so. Two companies are depicted, City Ice Delivery Company and Central Ice Delivery Company. In a cursory search I've found some information on the former firm and nothing on the latter. 

 Birmingham, a publication from the city's chamber of commerce, published an issue in November 1919 containing a list of city businesses; City Ice Delivery is included. I also found a 1934 legal case involving City Ice and "an alleged vicious and dangerous mule", so the company was still in business then. The last images below show various advertisements and directory listings for ice companies in Birmingham in various years.  

 The BhamWiki site has an entry for the Birmingham Ice and Cold Storage Company which operated in the city from 1881 until 1973. That company was founded by William Rushton, Sr., who was active in Birmingham public life for many years. In 1880 he had started the South's first ice plant in Columbia, Tennessee. Based on the ads and listings below, City Ice Delivery was an operation of this company. 

 No doubt a deeper dive into local archives, Birmingham city directories and such would turn up more information. Maybe one day....





One of City Ice's delivery vehicles

Undated Photo by O.V. Hunt [1881-1962]

Source: Samford University Library via Alabama Mosaic





One of City Ice Delivery Company's factories

 Photo by O.V. Hunt [1881-1962]

 Source: Birmingham Public Library 





Delivery trucks parked in front of a City Ice Delivery facility

 Undated Photo by O.V. Hunt [1881-1962]







Central Ice Delivery Company truck

 Undated Photo by O.V. Hunt [1881-1962]

This company ad appeared in the 1919 annual yearbook for the Marguerite Allen private school. 

 Source: Birmingham Public Library 



Polk's Birmingham City Directory 1922





Polk's Birmingham City Directory 1922




Polk's Birmingham City Directory 1922


The Alabama Secretary of State's web site has a business listing for the "Centennial Ice Coal Company" formed in Jefferson County on December 12, 1916, and dissolved on October 26, 1927. The company was capitalized at $8000. The incorporating individuals listed include Pete J. Davis and Ben Davis named above and an H.G. Lansdale. 





Polk's Birmingham City Directory 1922






Birmingham Yellow Pages 1945

I see no listings here for either Centennial or Central ice companies. They must have gone out of business or been purchased by another operation. A number of other companies are in business, reflecting the city's population growth. In 1940 267,583 people lived in Birmingham. A handful of ice delivery firms served a population of 178,806 in 1920. 


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Tuesday, October 15, 2019

A Visit to Gibson's Bookstore in Owens Cross Roads

Sometimes you find a bookstore in a very unexpected place, and that happened to my younger brother Richard and I back in August when we were tooling around north Alabama heading to Scottsboro. In a Google search I had run across something called West Station Antiques and Gibson's Books in Owens Cross Roads, so naturally we decided to check it out.

We arrived around one on a very hot Friday afternoon. The business is located in a converted garage and has no air conditioning. Co-owner Lonnie Gibson, who told us the shop had once been located in Madison, kindly turned on some more fans for us after we came in. 

Despite the heat, Richard and I perused the packed shelves for an hour or so. We both purchased some items. I picked up two collections of short stories by H. E. Francis, an Alabama author, and some old Huntsville postcards.  

As you can see from the photos below, the store is crammed with all sorts of goodies. We would like to have stayed longer, but decided to seek the comfort of an air conditioned car and hit the road for Scottsboro. i'll be doing a post on that portion of the trip soon. We hope to return to Gibson's in the winter--on a cloudy day!

 Much of the store's inventory and more can be searched on their website. Gibson's can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. The store has a "Large Selection of General Interest Books as well as Magazines, Sheet Music, Postcards and other paper items." That's an understatement!

 More comments are below some of the photographs. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted. 









That sign on the wall by the window reads "Town of OCR/Hornbuckle Garage/1950's". There is a Hornbuckle Auto Detailing business in Huntsville on Highway 53; I wonder if there's any connection. 




Books, books, books & other goodies everywhere....













That's younger brother Richard in the background. We've wandered through many bookstores together over the years; Gibson's is one of the most interesting.









I spent some time on this aisle, which had lots of fiction and poetry.






This young lady watches over the inventory.




I found the two H.E. Francis short story collections in this section, which I examined carefully. I found many other items of interest in the shop, but these days I try to restrain myself when i enter a bookstore. Sometimes I succeed. 







The business occupies two rooms. The books, postcards and a lot of miscellaneous material are in the larger and the "antiques" portion is in the smaller. 



















Another look at the front of Gibson's taken by Brian Stansberry

Source: Wikimedia Commons






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Saturday, October 12, 2019

Alabama History & Culture News: October 12 edition




For a number of years I've been posting links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles in the "alabamahistory" group at Yahoo!Groups. Most of the articles are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio websites. You can subscribe to the emails there if you wish; I send out two or three a week along with relevant meeting announcements and so forth. 

Here's the latest batch: 
Master photographer John Dersham will present program at Comer Library on Wednesday
Using images from his first published book, “My Alabama: John Dersham Photographs a State,” the master photographer will be at the Comer Library ...


Jackson's latest book follows Stallings, Bryant's relationship forged at Texas A&M
Jackson's book begins in the early years of the lives of both coaches and ... Alabama entered the game at 8-1-1, but A&M quarterback Edd Hargett ...


On this day in Alabama history: Avondale Zoo's show-stopper elephant was born
Miss Fancy, a gentle Indian elephant and the star of Birmingham's first public zoo, was born Oct. 12, 1871. From 1913 to 1934, the Avondale Zoo was ...

Cemetery stroll turns back the clock on Jacksonville history ... of Northeast Alabama will rise from their graves to tell their stories at the city's cemetery.


On this day in Alabama history: George McMillan was born
George McMillan Jr. was born on Oct. 11, 1943, in Greenville, Butler County. He is a well-known attorney, former politician and owner and president of ...

Bobby Tomberlin, Hilary Williams to open 'Audrey Sheppard Williams Story' on Saturday
Tomberlin said he is excited be a part of the Brundidge Historical Society's Alabama bicentennial event and to have the opportunity to hear Hydock's ...

State recognizes Atmore historic district
The Alabama Historical Commission recently approved a map designating a portion of the city of Atmore as a commercial historic district. The location ...


Alabama Man, Tim Ragland, Makes Double History as Youngest and First Black Mayor of ...   
In what resulted in a history-making runoff election, residents of Talladega, Alabama, elected the city's first Black mayor on Tuesday. Timothy Ragland ...

93-year-old WWII vet tours USS Alabama while reliving history
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — It's been more than 70 years since Ron Vogel of Souix Fall, South Dakota has scampered down the stairs of a U.S. battleship.

On this day in Alabama history: Electric car service is born in Birmingham
The Birmingham Railway and Electric Co. was incorporated on May 5, 1890, as a consolidation of the Birmingham Union Street Railway Co. and the ...

On this day in Alabama history: Birmingham Botanical Gardens received Friendship Bell
The Osaka Central Rotary Club of Japan donated a Friendship Bell to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on this day in 2005. Donated as part of the ...

After 200 years, Montgomery, Alabama, has elected its first black mayor
Montgomery, the majority-black state capital of Alabama, made history this week by electing its first black mayor. On Tuesday evening, 67 percent of ...

Gravlee to speak at LC Historical on cemeteries
Gene Gravlee, former vice president of the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance, will speak at the Lawrence County Historical Commission ...


Popular historical drama to be presented in restored Tallassee theatre
In 2014, several hundred Muscogee Creek tribe members from Oklahoma visited east central Alabama to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ...


“Unfolding UAB: 50 Years of Photography from the UAB Archives” at UAB's AEIVA, from Oct. 21 ...
Photographs that present an unforgettably rich visual history of the University of Alabama at Birmingham will be on display Oct. 21-Dec. 14, at UAB's ...


Special moments as WWII Veteran visits USS Alabama
A World War II veteran toured the USS Alabama today. ... At 93-years-old, Ron Vogle navigates the steep stairs and close quarters of the battleship ...


Alabama A&M Athletics Hall of Fame announces 2019 Class
The Alabama A&M Athletics Hall of Fame has announced its 2019 class of inductees. Eight new members are entering the Hall of Fame. The 2019 ...

The University must acknowledge its history of racism
I'm detailing this brief history to make a point: the University of Alabama was built on a foundation of anti-blackness. Recently, the University has made ...



For years, he owned the Pine Hill Cemetery in McCalla. Like his love for late-night dancing and the music of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, ...

Sierra Club hosts author speaking about Alabama rivers
The co-founder of Alabama Water Watch and author of a new book about Alabama rivers will be the guest speaker Thursday at the Sierra Club ...

On this day in Alabama history: Auburn Women's Club finds a home
The Auburn Women's Club clubhouse is an antebellum home in Auburn, used by the Women's Club of Auburn University as their clubhouse.

On this day in Alabama history: The Atheneum school opened in Birmingham
The East Lake Atheneum was a private girls' school chartered in 1890, built on a hillside and labeled the “Atheneum Eminence.” The school was ...

Spann book signing at Demopolis Public Library (photo gallery)
ABC 33/40 Chief Meteorologist James Spann made a stop at the Demopolis Public Library for a book signing on Saturday, Oct. 5. Spann was in town ...


DON NOBLE: Key tells of childhood growing up in Point Clear
This book, “Bay Boy,” is another collection of nonfiction pieces, but Key ... he was a boy, growing up, especially in summers, in Point Clear, Alabama.

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Thursday, October 10, 2019

Old Grissom High School in Huntsville

My younger brother Richard graduated from the original Grissom High School in Huntsville in the 1970's. The school opened in 1969 and was named after Virgil "Gus" Grissom, one of three astronauts who died in the Apollo 1 fire at Cape Canaveral in 1967. Other Huntsville schools were named after Ed White and Roger Chaffee. A new Grissom High School opened in August 2017; you can see a number of photos here.

 Plans call for the old site to become a community center; some of the old school will be used in the new facility. A new branch library, meeting rooms, a theater, athletic fields and a gym will be included. 

Much of the original school has been demolished. The photos below were taken in August 2019 and show what remains on the site. 



















The photos below were taken in the seniors parking lot. I wonder if it or the tiger paw markers will survive. 

















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