Alabama History & Culture News: January 4 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!

Jerry Summers: WIlliam B. King - Bama's Vice President - Chattanoogan.com

Chattanoogan.com

The social and political history of the great State of Alabama has been filled with many unique individuals. The thirteenth Vice President of the ...

'African Town' traces the history of the last slave ship sent to the US - NPR NPR EYDER PERALTA, HOST: The Clotilda sleeps under the muddy waters of the Mobil River in Alabama. It was found there in 2018, and researchers said last ...

From Broadway to blues to big bands, Birmingham's musical talent shaped the sounds of a nation Alabama NewsCenter Alabama NewsCenter is closing out Birmingham's 150th birthday with a sonic bang, delving deep into the musical history of the Magic City.

Metro Roundup: Shoal Creek added to Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage - Hoover Sun Hoover Sun The 2014 PGA Champions Tour Regions Tradition golf tournament took place at the Shoal Creek golf course. The Alabama Historical Commission added 15 ...

Greenville named among Alabama's best downtowns

The Greenville Advocate

These historic buildings have found new life while still preserving their history. For example, the historic train depot built in 1910 now houses the ..

Ancient Alabama journeys through 500 million years of the state's history - al.com

AL.com

In this series, Ancient Alabama, we've covered 500 million years or so of Alabama's history. That length of time calls for a new definition to the ...

90 years on: Remembering the Scottsboro Boys - Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Political Reporter Alabama laid the groundwork for later Supreme Court decisions that provide ... “We need to step back and stop seeing it as something historical,

Birmingham boasts an extraordinary musical legacy over 150 years - Alabama NewsCenter Alabama NewsCenter Birmingham's rich music history includes such greats as, clockwise from upper left, Dennis Edwards, Erskine Hawkins, Hank Ballard, Lionel Hampton, ...

Fifteen locations added to Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage - WTVM

WTVM

Several locations in the Wiregrass were added to the Alabama Register of ... Saint Paul A.M.E Church and Cemetery, Brundidge, Pike County.

OBITUARY E.O. Wilson, naturalist dubbed a modern-day Darwin, dies at 92 | Reuters

Reuters

He even ventured into fiction - although he stuck to a topic he knew a lot about - in 2010 with "Anthill," a coming-of-age novel about an Alabama ...

Leading American naturalist EO Wilson, dubbed 'Darwin's heir', dies at 92 - BBC News BBC Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1929, EO Wilson said he developed an interest in ... His 1978 book On Human Nature, which won a Pulitzer Prize, ...

Alabama paleontologist helps discover new 40 million-year-old shark species - al.com AL.com He is working on a book about the state's fossil shark teeth showing why Alabama is one of the best places in the world to study ancient sharks, ...

DNA found preserved on sunken slave ship could help descendants track ancestors - The Telegraph The Telegraph A sonar image created released by the Alabama Historical Commission shows the remains of the Clotilda, the last known US ship involved in the ...

Auburn Project Would Highlight History of Black Community - USNews.com USNews.com ... in Auburn would highlight the history of the city's Black community, the Opelika-Auburn News reported. ... Tags: Alabama, Associated Press.

Brundidge Council recognizes St. Paul AME, Rodgers family - The Troy Messenger

The Troy Messenger

Boyd said the Alabama Register recognizes Alabama's historic places and encourages their continued preservation. “Listing in the state register is ...

Chattanooga pastors travel through Alabama to learn history, bridge racial divides ... Chattanooga Times Free Press Chattanooga pastors and faith leaders traveled through Alabama earlier this month on a trip to visit civil rights landmarks and continue efforts ...

What's Coming to the Blog in 2022?

For several years now I've been writing these "What's Coming" posts. You can read the 2021 post here and earlier ones here. I include a wish list of topics I hope to cover, and look at past lists to see which ones I managed to write and which I didn't. There's more wishing than achievement in these lists, but here we are for 2022. 

One of the topics mentioned last year that I'd like to finally do involves the natives or people with state connections who have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I've actually started this one; naturally, the list turned out to be pretty long. I'll probably have to split it into a couple of posts. And naturally I could follow that piece with ones on people from the state who have won Oscars, Emmys and Tony awards. Dream on.

I hope to complete four other posts in 2022 that I've been pondering for some time. Two of the most important figures in the history of LSD, Humphry Osmond and Timothy Leary, have Alabama connections--one early in his life and the other near the end of it. Henry Walthall was a major silent film star in the U.S., and his career extended into the talkie era until his death in 1936. He was a Shelby County native. Huntsville native Harry Townes became a very busy actor in Hollywood for several decades, especially on television. In 1974 he became an ordained Episcopal minister and returned to the Rocket City after retirement from acting in 1988. Speaking of Townes, I'd also like to do a post on the various state natives who appeared on the classic Perry Mason tv show. Townes acted in several episodes, as did R.G. Armstrong. Louise Fletcher and Cathy O'Donnell also turned up on the show. One day I'll also have to write a piece on all the Alabama connections on the Gunsmoke series. 

I did manage to complete two posts from last year's list. Back in the summer of 2016 I did five posts on "Beulah Vee's Cedar Chest." My dad's older sister died in 1939 just a few months after high school graduation; naturally I never met her. My grandmother Rosa Mae Wright kept a large cedar chest filled with her daughter's memorabilia. Most of those contents were donated to the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery; they form a sort of time capsule of one person's life in Gadsden, Alabama, in the 1920's and 1930's. I wrote a piece to describe that donation process and bring the story to a close.

Another topic I wanted to cover was Truman Capote and Marilyn Monroe. I had already done a pretty bogus post connecting MM and Alabama, but the one I wrote this past year was a bit stronger. You can read it here. 

In 2022 I'm sure I'll do new entries in ongoing series, such as films with Alabama connections, the usual crop of posts on "let's connect [fill in the blank] to Alabama!" and the usual stuff I haven't even thought of yet.

In closing, here are the number of posts I've written each year:

2021-90
2020-108
2019-110

2018-74

2017-80

2016-99

2015-91

2014-95

A total of 747 posts so far....sheesh....makes me tired just thinking about that...

Osmond coined the word "psychedelic"

Leary entered the University of Alabama in 1941 and stayed two years before being expelled. 

The ceremony for Bankhead's star was February 8, 1960

 

Walthall in 1918

Townes in the "OBIT" episode of The Outer Limits first broadcast on November 4, 1963 

Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and R.G. Armstrong as his client in the episode "The Case of the Petulant Partner" first broadcast on April 25, 1959

Louise Fletcher and Raymond Burr in "The Case of the Larcenous Lady" first broadcast on December 17, 1960

Cathy O'Donnell being cross-examined in "The Case of the Fickle Fortune" first broadcast on January 21, 1961

Mason's secretary Della Street [Barbara Hale] pretends a come-on to Townes in "The Case of the Lazy Lover" first broadcast May 31, 1958

Some Pelham Christmas Ornaments

In the late 1990's and early 2000's when the kids were in secondary school, Dianne, Amos, Becca & I attended several Christmas tree lightings held at the Pelham Civic Complex. These events typically had performances by middle school and high school choirs [in which both children sang], performances of students at the ice skating school, an appearance by Santa driving the Zamboni out on the ice, and the lighting of a large Christmas tree.

Audience members who arrived early enough were given an ornament commemorating the event. I'm not sure when this tradition started, but the earliest one we have is from 1998 and the latest is 2003. Maybe we didn't attend the 2002 one; after 2003 our youngest Becca was no longer in high school, and we haven't returned in subsequent years. 

The event continued in 2021, although changes have been made. For the first time, a parade on U.S. 31 was held. You can see the 2021 tournament below. 

I wonder if anyone has a complete collection. And do other cities create these sorts of trinkets?

Source: PelhamStrong Facebook page

Alabama History & Culture News: December 22, 2021 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!

National Geographic: Clotilda slave ship more intact than thought, scans show - al.com AL.com ... ruins of the slave ship Clotilda was produced by continual sidescan sonar in March 2020 and released by the Alabama Historical Commission.

Holley has a place in Alabama history | Columnists | dothaneagle.com Dothan Eagle Legendary state S

Alabama Historical Commission recognizes historic districts in Brundidge - The Troy ...

The Troy Messenger

Specified areas of the City of Brundidge have been designated by the Alabama Historical Commission as historic districts.

The first Alabamians arrived 13,000 years ago, long before Moundville - al.com

AL.com

Moundville is Alabama's best known ancient Native American site, ... There's a much older human history in Alabama, if you know where to look.

Opinion | Happy 125th birthday to the University of Montevallo - Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Political Reporter Its rich history, cobblestone streets and beautiful, historic campus date back to 1896 when it was known as the Alabama Girls' Industrial School.

Trussville breaks ground on Alabama Fallen Warrior Monument - WRBL

WRBL

Saturday afternoon, Trussville city leaders, community members and local veterans held a groundbreaking ceremony for the future site of the ...

What's in a name? How Birmingham became Birmingham - Alabama NewsCenter Alabama NewsCenter His eventual successor as president of the Elyton Land Company, Henry M. Caldwell, later wrote a history of the company that included an extensive ...

Gulf Shores seeks grant to highlight Native American history - Orange Beach News Orange Beach News Gulf Shores is taking aim at a $50000 historical grant to help ... by Dr. Greg Waselkov of South Alabama who is leading a study about the canal.

Why Alabama's 1st State House was a trapezoid and other findings in Old Cahawba - al.com

AL.com

Historical archaeologist Linda Derry shows a simulated image of the First Alabama State House in Cahawba by Jeremiah Stager of the Office of ...

New book recounts the colorful 200-year history of Pike County - The Troy Messenger The Troy Messenger For almost as long as Bullard can remember, she has had a strong interest in history, especially Alabama history, and, specifically, Pike County's ...

How a once visible Alabama Confederate statue is now displayed 'among hundreds' of objects AL.com The complex interpretations of Semmes' legacy are on display within the timeline exhibit at the History Museum of Mobile, a venue that is located ...

Alabama high school student Jaycie Mandrell releases book Alabama NewsCenter Alabama high school student Jaycie Mandrell releases book. By Joyanna Love The Clanton Advertiser. December 16, 2021. Alabama high school student ...

Anniston's New Haven celebrates 75 years of being a 'light' | The Alabama Baptist The Alabama Baptist ... by playing “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Sonja Adams of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented the church with a plaque.

Historical marker placed at site of first seat of justice - The Troy Messenger The Troy Messenger “Alabama became a state on Dec. 14, 1819. On Dec. 17, 1921, Pike County was named after Gen. Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who actually never came here.

"Discoveries at the Site of Alabama's First State House" presented by Linda Derry - YouTube YouTube Alabama Department of Archives & History ... will discuss the findings of archaeological work at Old Cahawba, Alabama's first state capital.

The Margaret, a new bar in Alabama, will be 'an excellent hang,' owner Pam Stallings says - al.com AL.com The Nick, after all, is one of the most famous dive bars in Alabama, with a faithful clientele and a long history as a concert venue.

Alabama girls home now has memorial for 8 killed in bus crash - al.com AL.com The new memorial now stands on a hill overlooking the Alabama girls home linked to eight children who died in a van crash that killed 10 people ...

Rozelle publishes first novel - The Clanton Advertiser The Clanton Advertiser By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor. Lee Rozelle of Thorsby has released his first novel, “Ballad of Jasmine Wills.” The book has been published by ...

Alabama food blogger and author Kate Wood releasing new cookbook, 'Her Daily Bread ... Alabama NewsCenter Kate Wood has revealed her highly anticipated new cookbook and devotional, “Her Daily Bread,” which consists of a year's worth of daily readings ...

Memorial dedicated at Alabama girls home to 8 crash victims - The San Diego Union-Tribune

The San Diego Union-Tribune

A new memorial now stands on a hill overlooking the Alabama girls home linked to eight children who died in a van crash that killed 10 people ...

Alabamians who dealt with historic disasters reflect on recent Kentucky tornado - CBS 42 CBS 42 Wendy Suell of Hill's Carpet & Floor Coverings said memories of the tornado that tore through Central Alabama and destroyed her business on April 27, ...

Birmingham Photos of the Day (81): Alabama Boys Industrial School

As the Encyclopedia of Alabama notes, "The Alabama Boys Industrial School was founded in Birmingham in 1899 by social reformer Elizabeth Johnston. It was one of several private group homes established to house juvenile offenders in the state. It remained in operation until 1974, when it was taken over by the Alabama Department of Youth Services." The Department continues to operate the facility as its Vacca campus. You can see an early photograph of the campus buildings at the end of this post. The BhamWiki site has a different photograph from 1910. 

The school opened on the former George Roebuck plantation at Roebuck Spring. Johnston led a committee of the Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs that successfully lobbied the state legislature to fund a facility to remove young boys from the convict lease system and provide remedial education. About a decade after opening a new building replaced the school's original log cabin. 

Johnston lived on campus as head of the school until her death in 1934. The state provided a stipend for each boy; by early 1918 residents numbered almost 400. The students grew their own produce and operated a diary, and issued a regular publication on the school's printing press. The local Rotary Club provided instruments and uniforms for the brass band which became well known [see below]. 

Elizabeth Johnston 

She was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1981; she and actress Tallulah Bankhead were the only inductees that year. For more information, see her entry linked below. 

Source: Alabama Women's Hall of Fame

Dormitory at the school sometime before 1929

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History

In August 2017 I posted an item about a 1924 visit John Philip Sousa made to Birmingham and included the following paragraphs related to the Industrial School: 

On February 18, 1924, this photograph was taken in front of the Cathedral Church of the Advent at the corner of 6th Avenue North and 20th Street North in Birmingham. Front and center is John Philip Sousa; to his left is Eugene C. Jordan, leader of the band standing around them. Could the woman be Sousa's wife Jane? She lived until 1944.  

The young boys surrounding them are members of the band of the Alabama Boys Industrial School, a reformatory chartered in February 1899 and located in the Roebuck area of Birmingham. The facility still exists; in 1975 it became the Vacca Campus of the Alabama Department of Youth Services. Who is the young girl dressed in a similar uniform?

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives and History

Two photos from the infirmary sometime before 1929

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives & History

The campus and buildings of the school

Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama