Alabama History & Culture News: November 15 edition

 

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

Historical Smiths Station church celebrates 190th anniversary - WSFA WSFA The church opened its doors in 1801 and, according to the church's historical documents, it was one of the leading Methodist churches in the ...

84 million years ago, a massive meteorite strikes ancient Alabama - al.com AL.com This illustration, from Jim Lacefield's book "Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks," shows a cross-section of the Wetumpka Impact Crater site.

Alabama's rich culture, history told on Mural Trail throughout state Alabama NewsCenter “There are so many unique murals around the state that show off Alabama's history, culture and arts,” Johnson-Beers said. “Alabama is home to some ...

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum – Leeds, Alabama - Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura Discover Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Leeds, Alabama: This 880-acre ... Every last book in this bookstore is signed by the author.

Mud Creek Association celebrates 150 years | The Alabama Baptist The Alabama Baptist Bill Kitchens, Mud Creek Baptist Association historian, wrote and presented the association's history. Scott Dawson preached at the worship ...

Cherokee County Historical Preservation Society Holds Plaque Unveiling/Dedication for ... WEIS Radio On Thursday, the Historical Preservation Society of Cherokee County hosted the unveiling of the Alabama Historical Commission plaque for Estes

Blind Horse Pow Wow celebrates Alabama's Native American heritage

Alabama Public Radio

Alabama's rich Native American history takes center stage at an event in east Alabama. The Blind Horse Pow Wow is a celebration featuring a drum ...

Stunning White Cliffs of Alabama hint at the forces that shaped the Black Belt - al.com AL.com “The tiny shells and plates of the chalk-forming plankton rained down upon the sea floor for many millions of years,” Lacefield writes in his book.

Joseph Goodman's 'We Want Bama' tells story of Alabama's unforgettable 2020 season - al.com AL.com AL.com columnist's first book published this week. ... but Alabama's 2020 football season was the second draft of what wound up being Joseph ...

Happy Home Baptist marks 100 years in Henagar community The Alabama Baptist Wendell Dutton presented a certificate to the church on behalf of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission. “It was a great day,” said church ...

Structure for Africatown museum that will tell story of slave ship Clotilda, arrives Friday - al.com AL.com “It's monumental for Africatown and coastal Alabama,” said David Clark, ... “Welcome Center” that will located near the Old Plateau Cemetery.

Legacy of Harold A. Franklin, Auburn University's first African American student, preserved at ... Auburn University ... earning a master's degree in international studies from the University of Denver and teaching history at Alabama State University, ...

Lineville's Pleasant Grove Baptist marks 150 years The Alabama Baptist Calvin Milford of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission and Bruce Willis, director of missions for Carey Baptist Association, ...

First All-Black Crew of Pilots Make History With Flight to Tuskegee Black Enterprise Captains Kyle Green and Johnny Frye made history by becoming the first all-Black crew to land a C-21 aircraft in Alabama's Sharp Field, formerly known ...

Art exhibition to feature works of current, formerly incarcerated individuals Alabama Political Reporter ... Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Ingram State Technical College, and the Bureau.

'American Pickers' to film in Alabama, looking for locations - Valley Times-News Valley Times-News “American Pickers,” a History Channel hit television series, plans to film episodes throughout Alabama in February 2022, according to a press ...

'Walking Tour of Historic Madison' mobile app teachers users abou | rocketcitynow.com RocketCityNow.com MADISON, Alabama — Multiple city of Madison orginizations are teaming up to bring residents a new way to learn about the city's history: the ...

One-woman stage play will benefit Monroe Museum Endowment | Clarke County Democrat Clarke County Democrat The Alabama Historical Association's Fall Pilgrimage was held at Historic Blakeley State Park in Baldwin County Saturday. Members toured the.

Alabama Photos of the Day: Remember the Historama?

No, I don't either. Let's investigate.

On January 9, 1965, Battleship Memorial Park opened in Mobile as the final resting place of the USS Alabama battleship. One of several U.S. Navy ships named after the state, this massive vessel had been commissioned on August 16, 1942. After service in World War II, the Alabama and other battleships of its class were decommissioned in 1947. 

By 1962 the ship was scheduled to be scrapped, but the state formed a commission in September 1963 to raise money to bring the vessel to Mobile. Something close to $100,000 was raised in spare change from school children; I helped in that effort and have the receipt to prove it. The battleship is now the centerpiece of a 155-acre park that includes the USS Drum, a submarine, and an aircraft pavilion with two dozen warplanes that is dedicated to the state's Medal of Honor winners. 

I recently came across some photos of an attraction that opened soon after the park itself, but apparently did not operate long. On May 15, 1966, something called the Alabama Historama began operation. According to the blurb on the back of one of the postcards below, the Historama was a "unique attraction. Visited by people from all over the United States and the world." Really?

Another postcard declares, "The only attraction of its kind in the country. The complete history of the State is depicted in diorama displays, among which are Indian massacres, naval engagements, Civil War battles and the world's largest relief map of Alabama." 

Below are two photographs and four postcards, which represent most of what I've found on the Historama. The Alabama Secretary of State's Business Entity Records gives us a bit more. Alabama Historama, Inc., formed in Mobile on October 9, 1964, by Cecil K. Dickey, Lou N. Maier, Tom P. Ollinger and Alton H. Maier. Some $10,000 in capital was authorized and $7800 was "paid in."

I believe I found all four individuals at the Find-A-Grave site. Cecil K. Dickey [22 Nov 1924-17 Sept 1974] and Alton Henry Maier [27 Mar 1905-13 Feb 1976] are buried in Mobile Memorial Gardens, as is Maier's wife Essie Lou Newberry Maier [21 Jul 1918-3 Nov 2009]. Thomas Potter "Tom" Ollinger [28 Nov 1922-5 Feb 2015] is buried in Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile. Ollinger founded a construction company that built "many local landmarks in Baldwin and Mobile Counties." 

If you have any information about the Historama, feel free to tell us in the comments section. Of great interest would be how long it operated and what happened to the building. I've found nothing about it except the photos, postcards and bits of information in this post. Perhaps Hurricane Frederic wiped away the building as it came into Mobile Bay in 1979. 

A billboard and train advertise the Historama on Battleship Parkway in Mobile. 

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History

A color photo of the billboard from a slightly different angle

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives and History 

Source: Author's personal collection

Another postcard view of the Historama building

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives and History

Source: CardCow.com 

Source: Mississippi Dept of Archives & History

Alabama and Historama Railway, Inc. 

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives and History 

Alabama History & Culture News: November 10 edition

 

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

Dive into Capri Theatre's history this weekend during Montgomery Film Festival Montgomery Advertiser Along with Carples two short films, three others have ties to Alabama. * Obed Lamy's “Once Forgotten” is linked to Montgomery. It's a documentary that ...

'Sweet spirit' as Dutton Baptist Church celebrates centennial The Alabama Baptist Chris Guinn, director of missions for Sand Mountain Baptist Association, brought greetings, and Wendell Dutton of the Alabama Baptist Historical ...

Pioneer Museum of Alabama celebrates 50 years - The Troy Messenger The Troy Messenger “Here, the history of Alabama pioneers is kept alive for all ages,” Smith said. “The extremely large number of artifacts and outbuildings is ...

Amelia Boynton Robinson gets statue bust by Alabama Department of Archives History The Selma Times‑Journal A Selma Civil Rights Icon received a bust by the Alabama Department of Archives History on Monday in Montgomery. Amelia Boynton Robinson is one of ...

The Southern Star, Alabama's oldest family owned newspaper, under new owners - WSFA

WSFA

Little says he doesn't plan to knock the Adam's family out of their history. Joe Adams column Star Scribe's Scribblings will continue to be apart of ...

Photographic Exhibit in Selma Aims to Identify Bloody Sunday Foot Soldiers - Alabama News Alabama News Network Keith Hebert is the Draughon professor of Southern History at Auburn. “We started this effort in mid-August of 2021 and so far we've identified about ...

Alabama honors 2 women who fought for voting rights with statues at Archives & History - al.com AL.com Pattie Ruffner Jacobs, (1875-1935) was Alabama's leading suffrage activist, founding the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association and serving as its ...

DON NOBLE: Charles McNair's new novel Is a transgressive thriller - Tuscaloosa News Tuscaloosa News Charles McNair, Dothan native and University of Alabama graduate, has two previous novels: “Land O'Goshen,” 1994, a novel set in a dystopic future ...

Orange Baptist has 'good day' celebrating 125th anniversary The Alabama Baptist Other guest speakers were Loyd Griffus and Jerry Hester, the church's only former pastors who are still living. The church's original altar table was ...

Birmingham Squadron win first game in franchise history, defeat Greensboro Swarm 128-117

WBRC

Former Auburn star Jared Harper led the team with 35 points and six assists, with Joe Young scoring 30 points as well. Former Alabama star John Petty ...

Auburn University to dedicate marker for first Black student 2 months after his death - WBRC

WBRC

He earned a master's degree in international studies from the University of Denver and taught history at Alabama State University, North Carolina ...

He managed the Police, founded a punk rock label ... and has strong ties to Alabama - al.com

AL.com

For proof, just take a look at his new memoir, “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: My Life in the Music Business.” The book, published in June by ...

Alabama Department of Archives and History to unveil statues of voting rights icons - Selma Sun Selma Sun The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) in Montgomery will unveil statues of voting rights icons, Amelia Boynton Robinson and Pattie ...

'He really set the standard:' Hall of Fame Alabama sports writer Charles Hollis dies - al.com AL.com Funeral services will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. at Cullman Funeral Home Chapel with internment in Bethlehem East Cemetery in Hanceville.

Selma historic organizations receive grants from Alabama Historical Commission - Selma Sun Selma Sun Several organizations in Selma have received funds from the Alabama Historical Commission's 2022 Historic Sites Grants Program.

Teen hitchhiker killed in 1961 Alabama crash identified after 60 years: 'It's really a shocker' - al.com AL.com On March 27, 1961, the boy was picked up on Alabama Highway 25, ... He was eventually buried in the Centreville Memorial Cemetery on Mill Street ...

Opinion | It's time for UA to recognize its queer past The Crimson White - The University of Alabama Creating a Gay Student Union on The University of Alabama's campus was not as ... Learning about this history would allow LGBTQ students to draw ...

Rare book given to Owens museum after long quest to find it | Raleigh News & Observer The News & Observer “I love history and with my appreciation for Jesse Owens and what he ... He was an exceptional athlete and a wonderful part of Alabama history and ...

A Visit to Priceville Discount Books

When I travel to visit mom in Huntsville, I take I-65 north to the Hartselle exit at Alabama 36 and take that state road over to US 231 at Lacey's Spring, then north into southeast Huntsville where she lives. For several months now the first half of that trip on 36 has been closed to through traffic due to bridge work. The detour takes me another exit north on I-65 to Priceville. After a few trips through there I finally noticed Priceville Discount Books. I stopped to take a look early one Sunday afternoon, and I'm glad I did. 

Working that day was the original owner, whose name I failed to get. He told me he had opened the store in 1987 and just sold it this past June. He was continuing to work part time to help out the new owners, Aria and Dylan Troncoso. The store occupies much of the Twin Cedar Plaza retail strip on Alabama 67 South not far from the Interstate exit. The photographs below will give you a small idea of the vast inventory inside the store. I'll have to stop by a few more times to make my way through the many sections and shelves. The classics section alone is huge. The store has an active Facebook page, which has been up since January 2014. 

Via email, Dylan Troncoso provided me this information about the store: 

"The original owner of the store is James Owen. His mother opened a tanning salon in 1987 and James began selling some of his personal books in her store in 1988. His dad helped him by building shelves in an unused part of the tanning salon. The tanning salon/bookstore moved into the current building mid 1990. Eventually the books took over, and James' mom transitioned out of the tanning business and helped him run the bookstore. There are still two tanning beds buried under a surplus of books. 

"My wife Aria and I purchased the store from James and took over mid June of 2021. James has remained active in the transition. He is always helpful and works for us around 3 days per week. He just can't step away, and we wouldn't have it any other way! Our current plan is to keep up the legacy of Priceville Discount Books. We hear just about weekly from customers that can remember shopping there from the beginning. Many adult customers have been buying their books there for the entirety of their lives. We hope to clean up and organize as time allows. We plan to clear up some space in the smaller half of the store to accommodate some tables and chairs for our customers as well as our own kids to use for their homeschooling." 

I've written a number of pieces about Alabama bookstores, including Booklegger in Huntsville, Gibson's in Owens Crossroads, and Deb's [now Camelot] in Cullman. I've also covered a few now closed, such as Books, Etc in Pelham, the Paris Bookstall in Birmingham, and two much older ones in Auburn. Finally, I've done two posts on bookstore bookmarks here and here. I have a good bit of material on past bookstores in the state and hope to further tap it in the near future. 

Priceville Discount Books is well worth a stop if you're in the area, or even if it takes a special trip!

Some of these photos were taken in the single large room; the store actually has another large area that you enter, with a couple of small rooms as well. On my second visit Aria Troncoso told me they also have a couple of storage units out back full of books.

Looking from the single large room back into the main store area that you enter at the front door.