Alabama History & Culture News: August 24 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!

“The South's Forgotten Fire-Eater: David Hubbard & North Alabama's Long Road to Disunion” By Alabama Public Radio Along the way he draws our attention to Alabama figures we might have overlooked. His book “The Million Dollar Man Who Helped Kill a President” ...

Earthquake Rattles Northern Alabama on Sunday Afternoon - Weatherboy Weatherboy This map shows epicenters of historical Alabama earthquakes since 1886 and surface and basement faults. Image: Geological Survey of Alabama.

Old Autauga Historical Society Brings History to Autauga County Courthouse

Elmore-Autauga News

... formation of Alabama in 1819.” The Old Autauga Historical Society officially formed January 1, 2020 and they currently have about 300 members.

The Rosenbaum House Is the Only Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Building in Alabama Southern Living Florence, Alabama, is home to many historic structures, but one in particular has become a destination for those interested in architectural ...

Comeback Town: Birmingham may have lost historic Terminal Station, but... - al.com AL.com But where are the historically rich buildings they replaced? ... We saved our Alabama and Lyric Theatres—unreplaceable gems.

Alabama singer-songwriter Rock Killough bringing new book to Fairhope - al.com AL.com Alabama native Killough is singer-songwriter whose writing and co-writing credits include songs recorded by a long list of stars: The Oak Ridge Boys ( ...

Laura Hunter's new novel is based on awful eugenics scandal | DON NOBLE Tuscaloosa News It opens in a sweltering, dry July of 1968 in the fictional hamlet of Hyssop, Alabama, not far from Eufaula. The teller of this tale is Margaret ..

Hundreds of renowned naturalist E.O. Wilson's books donated to Alabama nature research center CBS 42 Finch, founder of the Paint Rock Forest Research Center in north Alabama's Trenton area, had known the acclaimed Harvard naturalist and biologist ...

Alabama researchers discover 'gigantic' 83 million-year-old turtle species - al.com AL.com The turtle was officially named this week from fossils found in the collection at the Alabama Museum of Natural History.

Ryan Baptist in Joppa celebrates 100 years The Alabama Baptist Joe Teal (left) of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presents a ... years of church history to add to the history of the first 75 years.

How you can help restore the Red Mountain Cut Geologic Walkway - Bham Now Bham Now In early April, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and a public/private ... History of the Red Mountain Cut Geologic Walkway.

Revolutionary War veteran of Madison County to be honored Saturday

The Madison Record

The small cemetery is easily accessible and located just north of Bob Wade ... Patriot Powell was a first generation settler in north Alabama who ...

New director of Sloss Furnaces named - Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Political Reporter It operated from 1882-1970, making it the longest continually running blast furnace in Birmingham's history. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark ...

Mooresville Post Office: Oldest Post Office In Alabama - Only In Your State Only In Your State There are many historic buildings located throughout Alabama. In fact, some of them are even among the oldest buildings in the U.S. One of these ...

Alabama event to exhibit rare Spider Martin photos at Beth El Civil Rights Experience Alabama NewsCenter “We're building this project to provide a thorough, historical perspective on our local Jewish community's actions and attitudes within the larger ...

Meet William King, the only Alabamian ever elected as vice president | WHNT.com WHNT.com (Photo: Alabama Department of Archives and History). (Photo: Alabama Department of Archives and History) Read Less. by: Zach Hester.

An Alabama boy is taking on the Nazis in new WWII-era Savannah Theatre show, 'We'll Meet Again' Savannah Morning News The World War II-era play follows an Opelika, Alabama, resident who ... set to make its world premiere on Friday at The Historic Savannah Theatre.

Indian who led attack on local fort topic for historical society meeting - Thomasville Times Thomasville Times He is also well-known for both his You Tube channel and app called “Two-Egg TV” which explores the history of Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Opinion | Legendary Alabamians: Howell Heflin - Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Political Reporter The longer I continue to write about Alabama politics, ... In this article:Alabama history, Featured, Howell Heflin, Judge, Legendary Alabamians.

Community Hero Steve Murray: Keeper of the Alabama's true history - Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery Advertiser Alabama Department of Archives and History director Steve Murray is telling the complete story of the state's history, not just the Confederate ...

New user-friendly website highlights Alabama Department of Archives and History resources - WTVY

WTVY

The “Alabama History Hub” is a one-stop resource for K-12 educators in the classroom. The new website includes robust databases for conducting ...

How you can help restore a historic, fire-damaged Alabama house - al.com AL.com A fire earlier this month at an Alabama landmark did extensive damage but it wasn't fatal. The St. Clair Historical Society is accepting donations ...

Alabama History & Culture News: August 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!

Iconic Huntsville hardware store closing after nearly 100 years | News | waaytv.com WAAY-TV ... down in just a few months, leaving behind an iconic landmark in downtown Huntsville with nearly one hundred years of hardware history.

William Earl Campbell [William March], Sergeant, U.S Marine Corps, WWI Distinguished ... The Andalusia Star-News The novel was the first of his “Pearl County” series of books and short stories set in south Alabama, using fictional town names.

In 'Filthy Animals,' essayist Brandon Taylor reflects on his Southern roots and the joys of analog Chattanooga Times Free Press "FILTHY ANIMALS" by Brandon Taylor (Riverhead Books, 288 pages, $16). Brandon Taylor, the Alabama-born writer whose 2020 debut novel, "Real Life," ...

Local mayors to discuss Civil Rights Trail revitalization, preservation - WSFA WSFA (WSFA) - Four Alabama mayors will be meeting in the capital city Saturday to ... to preserve history so it does not die with the next generation.

Remember When: Early settlers of Covington County - The Andalusia Star-News

The Andalusia Star-News

Graves of early settlers in Magnolia Cemetery, pictured left is the site of A.J. Fletcher ... One of the first settlers of Alabama and Covington, ...

Novelist Andrew Sean Greer on Exploring Alabama for "Less Is Lost" - Esquire Esquire Andrew Sean Greer has traveled the world, but to research his latest novel, he went to one of the most foreign places he could imagine: Alabama.

Alabama archives transferring Native American remains to Indian tribes with ties to state

AL.com

The Alabama Department of Archives and History has closed and plans to redesign its exhibit on indigenous cultures.

Alabama's Historic Looney House severely damaged by fire—how you can help Bham Now ... the historic Looney House near Ashville suffered severe fire damage—now, locals are mobilizing to save the beloved structure. #Alabama ...

Frank Franz, longest-serving president in UAH history, dies - AL.com

AL.com

Frank Franz, whose 16-year tenure as president at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is the longest in the school's history, has died.

Africatown, Alabama - The Architects' Journal The Architects' Journal An open international contest is being held to re-imagine a series of historic sites in Africatown, Alabama [Deadline: 19 September 2022].

Irish priest who stood up to the KKK to be remembered 101 years later in Alabama IrishCentral An Irish-born priest who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama in ... with other history buffs in the IrishCentral History Facebook group.

Alabama Photo: Former Slaves of General Cantey

At the Alabama State Archives site linked below, we are given the following information about this photo:

"Winter Cantey, 85, and his wife, 83, at Fort Mitchell, former slaves of General Cantey. Winter served as his master's bodyguard in both the Mexican and Civil Wars." The date range given is 1900 to 1919. Hmm....Let's investigate. 

James Cantey served as an officer in the Mexican-American War and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army. He died in 1874. An historical marker about him near his grave site, seen below, has this to say:

"Cantey fought in the Mexican War and received near mortal wounds. He was left among the dead but was rescued by his body servant whose plans were to bear him home for burial. The slave's detection of a faint sign of life caused heroic action that revived his master. For this deed the servant was offered his freedom which was refused."

So, was Winter Cantey the "body servant" who found his master near death and save his life? Perhaps so. I found this story in the Wikipedia entry on James Cantey linked above, which cited the historical marker as its source. The marker gives no source, so further research on that is needed. 

I did find a bit of further information on Winter. 

In the 1870 U.S. Census he is listed as Winter Canty [sic], born in South Carolina about 1825, a mulatto living at Fort Mitchell with wife Fannie. He was a farmer and six children were listed in the household ranging from 2 to 16 years of age. Winter and Fanny also appear in the 1900 U.S. Census; the couple is listed as being married 50 years. Winter is also listed in Russell County in the 1866 Alabama state census; females in the household are not named, just numbered. The two are also listed as registered voters in Russell County in 1867

I did not find Cantey or his wife at Find-A-Grave. At the U.S. wills and probate records on Ancestry.com I did find a will for Winter Cantey and a probate record. You can see it below. The will was dated February 15, 1913, and probated that same year on December 8 in Russell County. Winter and Fannie were living in Muscogee, Georgia at the time the will was written. I have found no other information about Winter's death, so presumably he died in 1913 after February 15. I've found nothing on Fanny. 

More comments below. 

Fannie and Winter Cantey 

Source: Alabama Dept of Archives and History

Winter left everything to his wife Fannie; daughter Lizzie Cantey is named executrix. Unfortunately, the will contains no inventory of property. 

These images are from the Historical Marker Database. The marker is located in the Fort Mitchell Historical Landmark Park in Russell County, at the Cantey family cemetery. 

Brig. Gen. James Cantey, CSA

Source: Wikipedia

Alabama History & Culture News: August 7 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!

New curator hopes to broaden Alabama Music Hall of Fame - Charlotte Observer Charlotte Observer TUSCUMBIA, Ala. When Mickey Lollar walks through the Alabama Music Hall of Fame he senses more than a museum. He feels the history and story of ...

Alabama ghost towns: Lentzville | | enewscourier.com The News Courier The historical marker sits at the entrance to the Lentzville Cemetery and the old Methodist Church off Lentzville Road.

It's Way Too Hard to Put Up a Monument to Lynching Victims - The Daily Beast The Daily Beast Just off a street corner in Mobile, Alabama, a historic marker spells out the grisly details of Richard Robertson's 1909 lynching.

Historic Looney House in Alabama 'heavily damaged' in fire - al.com

AL.com

According to a historical marker at the house, “the two-story log house with double dog-trot is a rare example of pioneer architecture in Alabama.

Horseshoe Bend military park announces symposium | | kilgorenewsherald.com

Kilgore News Herald

All three authors are local Alabama historians including professors ... a historical archaeologist at University of South Alabama's Center for ...

Fire heavily damages historic John Looney House in Ashville - WVTM 13 Birmingham

WVTM 13 Birmingham

An historic Alabama building and tourist attraction in Ashville was heavily damaged by fire early Saturday morning. The city of Ashville issued a ...

Rollng Store coming to Pioneer Museum - The Troy Messenger The Troy Messenger The Pioneer Museum of Alabama has received a historical treasure from the Tourism Council of Bullock County — the Locklar Rolling Store that was ...

George Wallace in Wisconsin: Book explores how the Badger State helped elevate a ... The Milwaukee Independent Fifty years before Donald Trump upended politics in the U.S. and in the Badger State, Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, an ardent proponent of ...

'Sean of the South' to Publish New Book - Opelika Observer Opelika Observer ALABAMA ––. From celebrated storyteller “Sean of the South” comes a laugh-out-loud funny true story of a loving relationship, a grand adventure ...

Furr publishes new book on sociology of mental health Office of Communications and Marketing - Auburn University A new book by L. Allen Furr, professor emeritus of sociology, explores sociology's key contributions to the understanding of mental health ...

Alabama poet laureate Ashley M. Jones awarded $50000 grant from the Academy of American Poets The Birmingham Times Delegates will be chosen based on strength of application materials and a demonstrated history of working within the region on poetry projects and ...

Historical Marker: First Baptist Missionary Church 1875 and Midway Baptist Church Union Springs Herald The marker for the First Baptist Missionary Church 1875 was erected in 2000 by the Bullock County Historical Society and the Alabama Historical ...

For some clergy in the past, facilitating abortions was faith in action - The Washington Post The Washington Post Lisa Lindquist Dorr, a professor of history at the University of Alabama, is working on a book on abortion in the South

James Shipley, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, laid to rest FOX6 News Milwaukee ... was laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. ... his basic training at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.

New Chapel Baptist celebrates 75th anniversary The Alabama Baptist Ellen Dewberry (left) from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented a certificate. The church recognized Donna Jones, clerk and Sunday ...

Bayer Properties, The OPAL Fund have started contruction on the historic Hardwick Steel Plant AL.com The Pizitz is home to Alabama's first food hall and Warby Parker; Forge, the city's first large coworking space; the only independent film screening ...

Decatur's historic McEntire House to be redeveloped as boutique hotel | The Bama Buzz The Bama Buzz A beloved historic home in Decatur is getting new life! ... About Decatur's historic McEntire House. Decatur ... Alabama Center of Real Estate.

2 new businesses bring Troy's historic square to full occupancy - WSFA WSFA The Troy Square, built in the early 1900s, is still open for business and is now adding two new storefronts!

Timeline of events in the 84-year history of the Bama Theatre - Tuscaloosa News Tuscaloosa News A banner strung outside declares the Bama “Alabama's Finest and Most Modern Showplace." Grand opening of the Bama Theatre in 1938 Online archive.

LIST: The shortest-serving governors in Alabama history - WHNT.com WHNT.com The governor's mansion in Montgomery has been home to more than 50 chief executives since Alabama became a state in 181

Alabama Library Association in 1904

I began working at Auburn University's Draughon Library in 1973; in 2015, I retired as librarian for the UAB Department of Anesthesiology. In between those places I worked at Tuscaloosa Public Library. Thus, if my math is correct, I worked for 42 years in libraries in Alabama, academic, public, and medical. So I thought for my 801st blog post I'd discuss this little publication, the Proceedings of the First Meeting of the Alabama Library Association, an account of the gathering held in Montgomery on November 14, 1904. 

I've written some other pieces on library history in the state. The topics include Carnegie libraries, the state's first library, libraries in Alabama in 1851, unusual libraries in Birmingham, bookmobiles and traveling libraries, and medical libraries. I'm also working on "Alabama Libraries Before 1920: A Chronology in Progress" found here. 

Papers presented at the meeting are included in this book, but as can be seen in the contents below most address general library topics with little or no Alabama content. The one exception is Thomas Owen's "Public and School Libraries in Alabama" which is an attempt to list those libraries in the state operating at that time. 

Perhaps the most useful material here is the listing of officers and charter members. This provides a snapshot of the library community in Alabama in 1904, both actual librarians and the friends of libraries. One of the latter was Russell Cunningham, M.D., then Lieutenant Governor of the state. Others included John Abercrombie, President of the University of Alabama, and novelist Frances Nimmo Greene, who at that time was principal of Capitol Hill School in Montgomery. Thomas Owen was founder and director of the state archives, the first such organization in the U.S. His wife is listed as Mrs. Thomas Owen. She was Marie Bankhead Owen, a member of the prominent political Bankhead family and aunt to actress Tallulah. She would become director of the archives for 35 years after her husband died in 1920.  

A preliminary announcement with a tentative program was issued prior to this meeting. That publication also contained the announcement of a second meeting to be held in Mobile in 1905 and included a tentative program. That program indicates more papers with Alabama material would be presented. 

In his "Prefatory Note" Owen acknowledges "the work of the meeting was not in any way notable", due to the fact that library development in the state was only beginning. He felt the papers would especially aid "the village librarian, the struggling teacher, and the poorly equipped library assistant" rather than the state's professionals, which were few at the time. Presumably he would be pleased to see the development of both libraries and librarians in Alabama over the past 100 years. 

In 1962 Jean Le Furgey Hoffman completed a dissertation at Florida State University, "The Alabama Library Association, 1904-1939: A History of Its Organization, Growth and Contribution to Library Development." That dissertation can be downloaded as a PDF here. The Alabama Library Association's web site provides information on current activities. 

I've written about a 1922 silent film based on one of Greene's novels here.

The meeting was held at the new Carnegie Library in Montgomery at the corner of Adams and Perry Street.