Alabama History & Culture News: December 23 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!

Claretta Humphrey's New Book “Front Porch Love From The House That Built Me” Is a Touching ... PR Web (press release) Claretta Humphrey, an Alabama septuagenarian, has completed her new book “Front Porch Love From The House That Built Me”: a story of the ...

There's Nothing Festive About a “Plantation Christmas” Slate Magazine Earlier this month, a coalition of Alabama activists sent a letter to officials of the Alabama Historical Commission, protesting a “Plantation Christmas” ..

The Echoes of 'Just Mercy' in Montgomery, Alabama – and Beyond Yahoo Entertainment Walking down a moonlit main street in Montgomery, Alabama, a sign beside a ... Montgomery is small but holds a powerful place in American history.

DON NOBLE: History book contains much food for thought

Tuscaloosa News

There are recipes in “The Story of Alabama in Fourteen Foods,” even one for Sunday school punch, which is iced tea, muscatel and rum, but this not a ...

Remember When: Historic postcards from the Three Notch Museum collection

Andalusia Star-News

With the Alabama Bicentennial celebration (1819-2019) now over, I hope that you ... This bustling new metropolis on the banks of the Alabama River soon ... is included in a 1977 book, “Dead Towns of Alabama” by W. Stuart Harris, ...

Take a look at every way the Alabama Humanities Foundation helped our state this year + what's in ...

Bham Now

Alabama History Day (AHD) training and curriculum assistance during free summer workshops in Montgomery, Huntsville, Birmingham, Livingston, ...

Pinson Council approves 2019 audit, recognizes historic status of PHCC, breaks ground on storm ...

Trussvilletribune

21, 2019. Sanders presented Palmerdale Homesteads Community Center President Barry Wilson with a copy of the letter from the Alabama Historical ...

Local author Lisa Worthey Smith pens third faith-based book Hartselle Enquirer Local author Lisa Worthey Smith pens third faith-based book ... After publishing her first book, Smith said she began to network and joined ... She attended conferences and then became president of Word Weavers North Alabama.

Auditions set for 'Alabama Story' Jacksonville Journal-Courier “Alabama Story” tells the story of Alabama state librarian Emily Wheelock Reed defending a 1958 children's book called “The Rabbits' Wedding.

Lincoln Presidential Library announces January auditions for 'Alabama Story' The Edwardsville Intelligencer It tells the story of Alabama State Librarian Emily Wheelock Reed defending a 1958 children's book called “The Rabbits' Wedding.” A local senator ...

“Bay Boy: Stories of a Childhood in Point Clear, Alabama” By: Watt Key Alabama Public Radio In that book we explore this geographically near but hard-to-access piece of nature and some of the odd folks who make it their home or their hide-out.

6 ways to become an Alabama native plant champion like Julia Tutwiler Bham Now Did you know that Julia Tutwiler, one of the most famous women in Alabama history, discovered a native plant found nowhere else on earth?

Many attend historical tour of downtown Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle Many attend historical tour of downtown Jasper ... Tour participants visited seven historical sites in Jasper to celebrate Alabama's 200th Birthday.

Community gathers to celebrate commemorative historical marker for Crabb-Stewart-Key-Dotson ... Hartselle Enquirer Members of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution help to unveil the Alabama Historical Commission historical marker ...

75 million-year-old sea turtle fossil discovery is a new genus and species that sheds light on the ... The Mix ... of James F. Parham, former curator of Paleontology at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, for his many contributions to Alabama paleontology.

Andrew Jackson statues in Jackson County to detail history as slave owner KSHB "I was really impressed with Montgomery, Alabama. Their history is awful, but they own it," Peters Baker said. "And I thought, 'Well if they can do that, ...

“The Story of Alabama in Fourteen Foods” By: Emily Blejwas

Alabama Public Radio

“The Story of Alabama in Fourteen Foods” By: Emily Blejwas ... to talk about a bit of Alabama history or the contributions of a particular Alabamian, or to ...

Jamie Foxx Celebrates Birthday with Cast of “Just Mercy,” Michael B. Jordan Says: “This is the ... Showbiz411 The movie is based on his book about rescuing Walter McMillan from Alabama's death row. Jordan plays Stevenson in the movie, a young Harvard ...

New bicentennial park kicks off Alabama's third century Alabama NewsCenter The morning began with a parade of more than 70 marching bands, city floats and living history on wheels. It concluded with a performance of the ...

Alabama tornadoes in December

WVTM13

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —. Alabama has a deadly history when it comes to December tornadoes. 138 tornadoes hit the state between 1950 and 2018.

Alabama's 200 years in 200 images: Creek War, Civil War, and the KKK

al.com

In honor of Alabama's bicentennial, this is the first of four pieces compiling 200 notable images telling the story of our state's history -- good, bad and ...

'Alabama Creates' journeys through 200 years of Alabama artists al.com In “Alabama Creates,” Andrews unpacks the distinction and burden of the state's history. It's an upfront and honest primer, explaining that while ...

Alabama celebrates past 200 years, looks to its future Montgomery Advertiser More: The defeated: A brief history of Alabama's first 200 years. The future is important, Gov. Kay Ivey said in her comments before the monuments ...

Exchange Bank Building in Five Points South Birmingham

Recently Dianne and I were in the UAB area and decided to have lunch at Makarios in Five Points South. That's one of our go-to eating spots when we are there, along with the Fish Market and Sweet Tea Restaurant. We had come to UAB for doctors' appointments, and before the meal we visited the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts on campus to see the exhibit "Unfolding UAB: 50 Years of Photography from the UAB Archives".   

After that trip down memory lane [I worked at UAB from 1983 through 2015] we headed to Makarios. I've seen that striking building directly across the street many times, but never really thought about it until this visit to the restaurant. As usual, the wonderful BhamWiki site has an entry for what is known as the Exchange Bank Building. 

The Exchange Security Bank of Alabama was founded in 1928. The company opened this building in 1947; it was the first bank location in the state to have a drive-up window and a dedicated parking lot. In 1955 Exchange Bank had $200,000 in capitol, making it one of the smaller of the six city banks. William S. Edwards, Jr. was Chairman and President; H. G. Prickett was cashier. [Alabama Almanac and Book of Facts 1955-56, page 569]

On July 13, 1971, the bank merged with First National Banks in Huntsville and Montgomery to form First Alabama Bancshares. That company is now known as Regions Bank. At the time the merger creating Alabama's first multibank holding company was very controversial in the state, and followed a debate going on locally and around the country about banks branching beyond their county borders State law did not prevent creation of such a beast, however. Details of this major change can be found in Wayne C. Curtis' 2003 book, A Legacy of Distinguished Service: Reflections on Community Banking in Alabama in Three Centuries, pp. 171-181. 

Thus this interesting little building played significant roles in state banking history. 

Oh, that huge building under construction on the right in this photo? That's a 199-unit residential tower for UAB students. Completion is expected in the fall of 2020.

Be sure and check out Makarios if you get to Five Points and have never eaten there. You'll be glad you did. 

Update 29 February 2019: When I visited mom recently we made a stop at her Regions Bank branch. While waiting for her in the lobby, I found this book on a table and naturally picked it up. And what should I find but some Exchange Bank info....

A Dictionary for Two Generations

English language dictionaries labelled "Webster's" have been around since Noah Webster published A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language in 1806. In 1828 he issued a massive two-volume American Dictionary of the English Language that included 70,000 words. By the third printing of the second edition in 1845, after Webster's death, brother publishers George and Charles Merriam  purchased rights to publish the reference work. The company eventually became known as Merriam-Webster. Since then endless editions and permutations of the dictionary have appeared. 

One of the collections of family memorabilia at mom's house in Huntsville consists of some of dad's secondary and college textbooks. I've written before about one of those books, his high school Health Studies book. Also among the volumes is the item below, Webster's Elementary School Dictionary. This book actually has three family connections. 

My paternal aunt Beulah Vee Wright was the first person to use the dictionary. I've written about her extensively here. She died of what was probably leukemia in December 1939 just after her eighteenth birthday. Then apparently my dad also used the book several years after his older sister. My name is also in the dictionary; I'm not sure what that was all about. I don't think I used it much. 

More notes are below some of the photographs.

These dictionaries were purchased by the state for use in Alabama schools at a contracted cost of $1.14 each. I would expect they were supposed to be returned by students at the end of the school year, so who knows how it remained in the family. Perhaps the state allowed families to purchase it if desired. 

See a photo below for more about that mysterious reference to "page 54" under my dad's name. 

That's my name in the upper left, along with our address in Huntsville in the 1960's and early 1970's. I've done a blog post about some photos taken in that house here. A visit my younger brother Richard and I made to that old neighborhood is included in a blog post here.

On the back of this title page copyright dates of 1914 and 1925 are given, so I presume this edition appeared in 1925. The American Book Company was a textbook publisher formed in 1890 from the consolidation of several publishers. Beginning in the 1960's it passed through various owners until it was absorbed by D.C. Heath in the 1980's. Perhaps the company licensed rights to this particular dictionary from Merriam-Webster. 

OK, here's the secret about "page 54" noted above. That reference appears under dad's name, so I presume he circled these words. Hmm, I wonder why...

These sample pages show the neat little illustrations sprinkled throughout.

John S. Jones Elementary School still exists in Rainbow City, Alabama, although I would guess the building is not the same as the one Aunt Beluah Vee attended in the 1920's. My grandparents, aunt and dad lived on Rainbow Drive--what they always called "The Drive"--at that time. 

Alabama History & Culture News: December 14 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!

On this day in Alabama history: Alabama became the 22nd US state Alabama NewsCenter On this day in Alabama history: Alabama became the 22nd U.S. state ... the Alabama Bicentennial Festival, featuring live music, historical re-enactors, ... 'A PIECE OF HISTORY': Bicentennial mural prints capture moments in time Troy Messenger Just in time for Christmas, prints of Troy's Alabama Bicentennial mural are available for sale. Stephanie Baker, Reunion Troy committee chair, said the ... Book gift guide: Tips from independent Alabama shops al.com On a local level, both Trigg and Crowe said that John Sledge's "The Gulf of Mexico: A Maritime History" was a recent favorite among Lower Alabama ... Pell City to restore Avondale Mills Water Tank Newsaegis The City received a grant from the Alabama Historical Commission in the amount of $8,500 to help fund the replacement of the roof. He explained the ... For years after Alabama's statehood, Native Americans held on to sovereignty in the east Anniston Star Even Alabama's bicentennial celebration is typical Alabama: complicated and complex, prone to historical revisionisms and grade-school ...

'My roots are still here': Montgomery's own Eddie Floyd in lineup for Alabama bicentennial finale Montgomery Advertiser Alabama's 200th birthday is bringing a reunion in his heart. ... part of commemorating the history of Montgomery, and the state of Alabama,” Hall said.

On this day in Alabama history: Jefferson County was founded Alabama NewsCenter On this day in Alabama history: Jefferson County was founded ... by the Alabama Legislature on this day in 1819, the day before Alabama became the ...

George Wallace's daughter finds healing in new memoir “The Broken Road” Atlanta Journal Constitution George Wallace, stand in front of the doors of a University of Alabama ... of this book, because while there he saw the infamous picture of your father .

Review: "Tell Me A Story: My Life With Pat Conroy"

The Missourian (blog)

The couple met at a book event—Cassandra a fledgling Alabama writer with a book about to be published, in awe of actually meeting the great Pat ...

Florala Head Start celebrates Alabama's 200th birthday

Andalusia Star-News

The book is written by Charles Ghigna in celebration of Alabama's 200th Birthday. The book is written for younger children. The hardcover book is $15.

Byler historian to visit Lawrence County Public Library for book signing Wednesday

Moulton Advertiser

Byler Road was the first roadway authorized by Alabama after it attained statehood in Dec. 1819. The privately-funded road came through Lawrence ...

How you can see 'Hell on the Border,' a Western filmed in Alabama al.com “Hell on the Border,” a movie about the Old West that was filmed in Alabama, opens on Friday in select theaters around the country. In the Birmingham ...

Friends of the Archives has history for sale News Courier “Holding the Fort: A History of Trinity School in Athens, Alabama 1865-1970,” by Charlotte S. Fulton. This hardbound book, which is fully indexed, ...

Here's the full list of what was in the 1969 Montgomery time capsule Montgomery Advertiser A History of Montgomery in Pictures, 1962. Alabama Academy of Honor, 1969 induction program. Alabama Historical Quarterly, Fall and Winter 1941.

Alabama Legacy Moment: Lafayette's visit Alabama NewsCenter Alabama Public Television is producing a series of videos titled “Alabama Legacy Moments” that offer a quick history of the people, places and stories ...

Slavery hard to teach in 'Cotton State' of Alabama, elementary educators say

al.com

With help from the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the teachers were made aware of what resources are available to them and how to ...

On this day in Alabama history: William Stanley Hoole died

Alabama NewsCenter

William Stanley Hoole was born in 1903 in Darlington, South Carolina, and earned a doctorate in English from Duke University in 1934. He briefly ...

On this day in Alabama history: One Concord Center project announced

Alabama NewsCenter

The One Concord Center project in downtown Birmingham was announced on this day in 1999. The 11-story, 150,000-square-foot office building was ...

Alabama bicentennial: Five inventors who changed the world Montgomery Advertiser Alabama bicentennial: Five inventors who changed the world ..... As a child in Huntsville, Wales' mother bought him a set of World Book Encyclopedia.

Daughter of George Wallace writes memoir on life with Alabama governor whnt.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — A new book is out now from the daughter of one of Alabama's most famous and controversial politicians.

Robert McCammon's 'Swan Song' makes PBS' 'Great American Read' list of 100 beloved books Alabama NewsCenter Robert McCammon is the only living Alabama author to have a book named to PBS' “The Great American Read” list of 100 beloved books. (Harper ...

WSFA film reel found in Montgomery time capsule now digitized WSFA “We worked closely with the Alabama Department of Archives and History as well as Dan Black Studios to get the film digitized in just four working ...

Remember these unforgettable times Alabama lost its mind over snow

al.com

Luckily, Tuesday night's forecast doesn't predict Snowpocalypse 2014-level snow, but let's remember several historic Alabama winter storms.

On this day in Alabama history: Town of Heflin incorporated Alabama NewsCenter The town of Heflin was incorporated on this day in 1886 and has a mayor-council form of government. Nestled between the southern range of the ...

A step back in time at Belle Mont Mansion's Plantation Christmas Times Daily The mansion is owned by the Alabama Historical Commission and is among only five state-owned historic homes. It is operated by the Colbert County ...

Alabama's 'white gold' draws worldwide interest Alabama NewsCenter “They asked me to put together a brochure about the history of the marble,” Cook said. “It was overwhelmingly successful, so the next year they asked ...

Schedule of events for Alabama's bicentennial celebration in Montgomery WVTM13 The Saturday celebration begins at 10 AM with a parade of Alabama people, places and history. From Court Square Fountain, a cavalcade of ...

On this day in Alabama history: Ben Erdreich was born Alabama NewsCenter Ben Leader Erdreich, born in Birmingham on this day in 1938, represented Alabama's Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of ...

Meet Blaze. The UAB baby robin that just made Alabama natural history. (Update and photos)

Bham Now

American Robins Nest discovered in November 2019, the latest confirmed date in Alabama history. Photo by Greg Harber for Bham Now. Over the ...

BAMA BOOK: Author details 100 must-see attractions News Courier How many Alabama attractions have you visited in your lifetime? If your list isn't that long, a new book can provide a roadmap of things to do.

Alabama-built USS Mobile christened in its namesake city — 'Best that America has to offer' Yellowhammer News From building the H.L. Hunley, the first submarine ever to sink a ship, in 1863 to Alabama Dry Dock and Ship Building Company's historic work from ...

On this day in Alabama history: Thomas Martin died Alabama NewsCenter Former Alabama Power Company president Thomas Martin died Dec. 8, 1964, after decades of making the state a better place. Born in Scottsboro in ...

That Old-Time Religion: Heyday of the rural church slips away as country church got swallowed by ... al.com A large cemetery stretches from the front of the church down the hill to the ... They claim to have had the first rural Vacation Bible School in Alabama.

Elegy for a Pelham Waffle House

Well, sometimes they close a favorite gin mill and sometimes it's a favorite Waffle House. Normally, chain store closures don't bother me too much even if it's one we've frequented. In these days of late capitalism, it's a feature of the retail landscape decimated by Internet commerce. But a Waffle House??

This one was located on Oak Mountain Park Road just as you head toward the state park's main entrance. We've driven past it a million times--maybe more--since we moved to our current home in 1995. 

We've also eaten there many times--Dianne and I, with and without one or more of the kids. Waffle House is a tradition in our family; brother Richard and I usually stop at one on our summer trips around the state. We all seem to like their breakfast food any time of the day. I think I've only ordered a non-breakfast meal at a Waffle House once, many years ago. I don't know what my excuse was. A few years ago I gave my kids Waffle House coffee mugs for Christmas, for Pete's sake. 

Anyway, I digress. I'm not sure why this particular Waffle House would close. The location near an Interstate exit, a large, busy state park and both a concert venue and Pelham's Civic Complex would seem to have insured continued success. Oh, well, at least there's another Waffle House in Pelham...

To add insult to injury, the company's web site lists this location as still open. 

UPDATE: On 8 Sept 2021 the Shelby County Reporter published an article on the business replacing the Waffle House.

UPDATE: The new business replacing the Waffle House will open soon; see the photos at the end which I took on 22 October 2021.