Burrell Normal School / Burrell High School Marker
Historic Markers; Florence, AL: Lauderdale County, AL
This historic marker is located at the intersection of W College St. and Burrell St. on W College St., Florence, Alabama. The text on the marker reads: "This school named Burrell Academy, formerly in Selma, Alabama, was given to Florence by the American Missionary Association. In 1903, Burrell Normal School opened and served African American students in grades 1-12. In 1937, the Florence City Board of Education assumed its operation and changed the name to Burrell High School. In 1951, it was moved to the Slater Elementary School Building on South Court Street and its name was changed to Burrell Slater High School. That building burned in 1958. In 1960, the present building opened on this site and served students until it closed because of integration 1969." The marker was erected by the Florence Historical Board
Dylan Tucker, University of North Alabama
“Burrell Normal School/Burrell High School”. Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
Walk of Honor Historic Markers; Florence, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
This marker is located on Cox Creek Parkway (Alabama Route 133), Florence, Alabama. The text on the marker reads: "Rev. Dr. Bennett W. Smith, as president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, expanded the organization internationally. Active in Civil Rights in America and South Africa, he counseled President Bill Clinton on racial equality. " Inducted in 2010 by the City of Florence at the Walk of Honor.
“Bennett Walker Smith”. Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
Historic Markers; Florence, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
This marker is located on Appleby Blvd. east of Cypress Mill Road, Florence, Alabama. The text on the marker reads: "About one mile west of here is the site of the Globe Cotton Factory which was erected on Cypress Creek in 1840, By 1857 its operations included three cotton mills, a flour mill, and two corn mills, all powered by the use of three dams. By 1860 the factory employed 310 people,, including a large number of women and children, at average salaries of $2.50 per week. These mills were burned by the Union Army in May 1863. One factory called Cypress Mill, was re-built after the war, but its operation was never successful." The marker was erected by the Florence Historical Board.
“Ante-Bellum Cotton Mills 1840”. Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
This historic marker is located at the intersection of County Route 47 and Cox Creek Parkway on County Route 47, Florence Alabama. The text on the marker reads: "Construction of this road, as ordered by General Andrew Jackson, began in May 1817 by troops of the U.S. Army for national defense purposes. Beginning near Nashville, Tennessee and continuing to Madison, Louisiana, it shortened the distance from Nashville to New Orleans by 200 miles. This road followed early Native American trails that were uses by Jackson's Army during the War of 1812. The military road served as a major transportation route for early settlers of North Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the Old Southwest Territory."
“Andrew Jackson's Military Road”. Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
A County Older Than the State-Lauderdale County Marker (Rogersville)
Historic Markers; Rogersville, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
This historic marker is located on County Road 5 at County Road 568 in Rogersville, AL. The text on the marker reads: "The home-place of Bettie Anne Springer-Thornton lies 1.6 miles north on the east side of Lauderdale County Road 51. This home was originally a one-room log cabin, built between 1892 and 1894 by Levi Patrick Thornton. Two rooms and a dog-trot were added prior to 1905. The home was razed and rebuilt in 1945, excluding the south room which remained intact. Bettie Anne Springer, daughter of William Marion Springer (1833-1884) and Rutha Jane Oldham (1826-1896), was born November 17, 1859, in Brooksville, Mississippi, and died May 6, 1932. Bettie Anne was affectionately called “Aunt Bett” by family and friends alike. She donated a portion of property for the construction of the highway, and her son, Samuel Beaver Thornton, donated land for the Old Mt. Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Levi Patrick Thornton, son of William Henry Thornton (1817-1855) and Sarah Rowsey-Burt (1814-1893), was born August 3, 1850, in Lauderdale County, Alabama, and died May 14, 1915. Levi and Bettie Anne were married on February 8, 1876, and had twelve children. They are buried in the Ingram-Thornton Cemetery in Good Springs (old Thorntontown)." The marker was erected by the Alabama Historical Commission.
“A County Older Than the State-Lauderdale County". Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
A County Older Than the State-Lauderdale County Marker
This historic marker is located in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Florence, AL. The text on the marker reads: "Created Feb. 6, 1818 by Alabama Territorial Legislature. (Alabama became a state in 1819) Named for Col. James Lauderdale, cavalryman under Gen. John Coffee and Andrew Jackson, War of 1812; killed in battle of New Orleans. Coffee planned Florence, the county seat. Jackson, President Madison owned lots." It should be noted that President Madison did not own lots in Florence. Another James Madison did own lots and there has been long-standing confusion about his identity.
“A County Older Than the State-Lauderdale County”. Accessed 09/21/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
Historic Markers; Memorials; Monuments; Florence, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
This marker is located in front of the Memorial Amphitheater on the University of North Alabama's Campus. The text on the marker reads: "Lt. Chadwick McFall Barber proudly served his country with distinction and paid the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed in action January 8, 1969, in the Republic of Vietnam. This bronze statue captures his likeness. Ola McFall Barber, David McFall, Rosemarie McFall, and Frances McFall donated this statue and the limestone markers in Lt. Barber's memory." The marker was donated by the McFall family.
"1st Lt. Chadwick McFall Barber Marker." Accessed 09/17/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
115th Signal Battalion Organized 1940 Marker
This historic marker is located near Memorial Grove in Florence, AL. The text on the marker reads: "At this site where once stood Fort Willingham (Armory) the 115th Signal Battalion was organized December 1, 1940. Originally the 2nd Battalion, 151st Engineers, it was organized a number of times from 1940 to 1959 as its mission was changed to meet the Nation's military requirements. In World War II it was designated as an Engineer Combat Requirement (later Battalion). During the Korean War it was on active duty as the 104th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. The 115th Signal Battalion served this Nation in War with Iraq during 2004-2005." The Florence Historical Board erected the marker on this site.
“115th Signal Battalion Organized 1940”. Accessed 09/17/2015. http://www.lat34north.com/historicmarkersal/
Cemeteries; Lexington, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
To reach Harmon Cemetery from Florence, travel east on US 72 to Elgin. Then head north on AL 101 to Lexington. Take a right on County Road 51 and then left on County Road 88. The cemetery is down a mile on the left side of the road. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Harmon Cemetery." Accessed 9/17/2015. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder/
Cemeteries; Elgin, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
To reach Barnett Cemetery from Florence, travel US 72 towards Elgin. Then head north on AL 101 for five miles. Take County Road 82 and the cemetery will be on the left side. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Barnet Cemetery." Accessed 9/17/2015. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder/
Cemeteries; Rogersville, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
To reach Warmack Cemetery from Rogersville, travel east on US 72 and turn on County Road 77. Continue for 1/2 mile on County Road 70. Warmack Cemetery is located on the right in a pasture. Judy Mason and Faye Page first surveyed this cemetery in 1995. The rows are numbered from west to east. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Warmack Cemetery." Accessed 9/17/2015. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder/
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Montgomery; Montgomery County, Archives, Museum
Keith S. Hebert heberks@auburn.edu 9-11-2015
Jefferson County, Birmingham, Religion, Baptist, Civil Rights Movement, African American, National historic landmark, Ku Klux Klan
The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, located in Birmingham, became a national symbol during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Having been built in 1873, the church was the first Colored Baptist Church. In the early twentieth century, the church would become a fixture in the African American community and would host many notable figures including W. E. B. Dubois, Mary Mcleod Bethune, Paul Robeson, and Ralph Bunche. As the church moved on in to the twentieth century, it became a center for African American activism. Rallies and demonstrations were held frequently at the church to support integration and equal rights; however these rallies would also be responsible for increasing racial tension dramatically in the neighborhood. On September 5, 1963, the tension culminated in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church right before the 11 a.m. service. The blast killed four young girls and injured twenty-three other churchgoers. This incident would shock the nation and help propel landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The FBI would investigate and find four men affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan responsible for the bombing; however, charges would not be filed until 1977 against one man, 1997 for the second, and 2002 for the third. The fourth would die in custody before charges could be filed. In 2006, the church became a national historical landmark. In 2013, the four girls who died were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the United States highest civilian honor.
To reach Miller Cemetery from Rogersville, travel east on US 72 and turn south onto County Road 70. Take a left and continue for 1/2 mile. The cemetery will be on the right side of the road. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Miller Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Little Zion Cemetery from Rogersville, head south on County Road 91 and take a right on County Road 605. The cemetery is 1/2 mile on the left side of the roads. A list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Little Zion Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Weaver Cemetery from Florence, head east on US 72 until half a mile beyond the Rogersville traffic light. Turn left onto Ezell Street and Weaver Cemetery will be on the right. The Weaver Cemetery is surrounded by the Civitan Cemetery. A full list of records can be located within the source.
"Weaver Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Wallace Cemetery from Florence, head east on US 72 through Rogersville and turn north on County Road 165. The cemetery is located one mile down the road on the right. The cemetery is divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Wallace Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Romine Cemetery from Rogersville, head east on College Street for three miles. The cemetery is on the left near the intersection with County Road 555. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Romine Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach the Rogersville Civitan Cemetery from Florence, head east on US 72 towards Rogersville. The cemetery is on the left side of the highway by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The cemetery is divided into five sections labeled as A, B, C, D, E and F. A map and records can be viewed within the source.
"Rogersville Civitan Cemeteryhttp." //www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach McCartney Cemetery from Rogersville, head north on AL 207 for one mile. Then turn left on County Road 55. Head straight on County Road 559 and the cemetery is at the end of the road. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"McCartney Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
Cemetery; Rogersville, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
To reach Liberty Cemetery from Florence, head east on US 72 towards Rogersville. Then turn north on Al 207. At a four-way stop (Lee Street) turn left. Liberty Cemetery is on the left side of the road. The cemetery has a walled in area with 18 graves in it. The eastern side of the cemetery is recorded as the African-American section. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Liberty Cemetery."http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Hurricane Cemetery from Rogersville, travel north on AL 207 for 4 miles and take a right on County Road 551. Continue traveling until you reach Hurricane Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The cemetery will be next to the church. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Hurricane Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Bedingfield Cemetery from Rogersville, travel east on US 72 and turn left on County Road 70. Continue for three miles and turn right on County Road 556. Bedingfield Cemetery is half a mile on the left side of the road. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Bedingfield Cemeter." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Mitchell Cemetery from Rogersville, head north on AL 207 towards mile marker 10. The cemetery is on the left side of the road with a driveway attached to it. The cemetery is divided into four sections. Section A is to the south and Section C to the north, and Section B is in the middle. There is a Section D for graves outside of the area. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Mitchell Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Grassy Cemetery from Florence, head east on US 72 to Elgin. Then head north on AL 101 towards Lexington. Turn east on AL 64. The cemetery will be on the left side of the road near the Grassy Memorial Chapel. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
" Grassy Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
To reach Bethel Baptist Cemetery from Rogersville, head north on AL 207 for 13 miles to AL 64. Bethel Baptist Church is on this road. Avon Hagood and Judy Mason first surveyed the cemetery in 1995. The rows in the cemetery are numbered from west to east. A full list of records can be viewed within the source.
"Bethel Baptist Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
Cemeteries; Anderson, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
To reach Anderson Cemetery from Rogersville, head north on AL 207 to Anderson, AL. The cemetery is near the Anderson Primitive Baptist Church north of the Town Hall. James and Muriel Barnett first surveyd the cemetery in 1995. A full list of records can be viewed within the source,
"Anderson Cemetery." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~allauder. Accessed September 9, 2015.
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A summary of the requirements and steps needed to set up Omeka.
Cemeteries; Florence, AL; Lauderdale County, AL
The Lindsey Chapel Cemetery is located just north of Florence on Highway 57 and one mile south of Cypress Inn, Tennessee on the west side of the road. David L Montgomery has this info on the cemetery and church, "The church was built approximately 55 years ago with donations from residents of the community. Mr. Albert Lindsey, buried here, spearheaded the move to build the church. The church was built as a community church with no particular denominational ties. The cemetery is well taken care of. There are Confederate, World War II, and Korean War veterans buried here. The oldest known grave dates from 1867. The oldest person buried here was born in 1836. There are 20 graves with no headstones or information. All names and dates were recorded from headstones and markers. They have been diligently checked for accuracy. This survey was completed Aug 02, 2003." There are 147 recorded burials within this cemetery. A full list of names and records can be viewed in the source below.
To reach Johsnon Crossroads Cemetery, go east on County Road 8 for .5 mile. Turn left onto County Road 139 and continue for a few miles to the church on the right side of the road. The cemetery is located at 1470 County Road 139, in the Johnson Crossroads Community. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Johnson Crossroads Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/cody/index.htm. Accessed September 2, 2015.
To reach Evergreen Cemetery, travel Highway 20 to County Road 2, take a left, and continue for 3 miles. The cemetery will be located on the left side of the road and on the west side of the church. A full list of records can be viewed in the source.
"Evergreen Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/cody/index.htm. Accessed September 2, 2015.
Community Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery
The Community Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery can be reached from Florence, Alabama. Travel north on Highway 17 towards Tennessee. Turn left onto County Road 24. The cemetery will be located on the right side of the church. A full list of cemetery records is located in the source.
"Community Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/cody/index.htm. Accessed September 2, 2015.
To reach Cody Cemetery from Florence take to Highway 20 County Road 8, take a right. The cemetery is located on the left side of the road a mile after the turn. The cemetery is located in a wooded area 50 feet off the road and is fenced. The cemetery has a total of seven recorded burials.
"Cody Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/cody/index.htm. Accessed August 24, 2015.
From Cloverdale, Alabama, travel east on County Road 8 for 3/4 mile. Turn left onto County Road 139 and continue for three miles. Bethel Berry Cemetery is located on the right side of the road. The Bethel Berry Cemetery is located close to the Bethel Berry Church of Christ. The cemetery has a large number of unmarked graves. 100 graves have been recorded. For a full listing of records see the source below.
"Bethel Berry Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/bethel_berry/index.htm. Accessed August 24, 2015.
To reach Austin Cemetery from Florence, Alabama, travel Highway 20 west, turn right onto County Road 5 and continue for 4 miles. The cemetery is located on the right side of the road. David Leon Montgomery states, "The Austin Cemetery originally was located in another location on land that the Indians had cleared. Due to it being in a low wet area, it was moved to it's present location. There are several markers in this cemetery that are very difficult to read due to deterioration of the surface. The cemetery appears to have been targeted by vandals in the past, as many stones are broken or missing. The cemetery is well maintained well otherwise. The Liberty Baptist Church, which sits about 2 miles south, started the cemetery, but as time passed, deceased members were buried in other cemeteries. Mr. Robert Austin, who is buried here, gave the land for the cemetery. A large amount of land along the Natchez Trace Parkway & Big Cypress Creek is still owned by members of the Austin family. This cemetery has approximately twenty-five graves marked only with stones. It is said that there are more that are not identifiable at all, even by way of depressions on the ground." The survey for the cemetery was completed on November 8th, 2003. David Leon Montgomery has checked the graves and foot stones for complete accuracy. A complete list of records can be viewed by using the source.
"Austin Cemetery." http://www.interment.net/data/us/al/lauderdale/austin/index.htm. Accessed August 24, 2015.
Shelby County; Museum; Archives; Courthouse; Shelby County Historical Society Inc.; Genealogy; Maps; Deeds; Marriage Records;
Our extensive and growing collection of research materials includes books, periodicals, microfilm, microfiche, family folders and much more. We have the index and records from 1957 through 1994 of the Bolton Funeral Home located in Columbiana, Alabama. We maintain the original old Shelby County Alabama courthouse records, including such records as (1) Probate Estate Files through 1915, (2) Probate Minute Books and Will Books, (3) Marriage Records through 1982, (4) Divorce Case Files through 1950, (5) Chancery Court Records, (6) Circuit Court Records, and much more! We have all up-to-date published counties of the Heritage of Alabama Book Series. For easy research, we have on microfilm and/or CD such items as (1) Shelby County Newspapers dating back to 1866, (2) Shelby County Deed Books through 1899, (3) 1908 through 1959 Alabama Death Certificate Index, (4) 1950-1979 Alabama Obituary Clippings, (5) 1907-1908 Alabama Confederate Soldiers Census, (6) Alabama Confederate Pension Applications, (7) Shelby County Alabama World War I Draft Registrations, (8) Shelby County Alabama World War I Service Records, (9) 1936 through 1969 Alabama Marriage Record Index, (10) 1950 through 1959 Alabama Divorce Record Index, and (8) 1820 through 1940 Shelby County Alabama Census Records, with index for each. We have equipment for you to view and copy these microfilm/microfiche and CD items. For your convenience, we also have on microfilm Alabama County Marriage Certificates for (1) Bibb, 1818-1929, (2) Chilton, 1870-1935, (3) Clarke, 1890-1930, (4) Coosa, 1834-1925, (5) Madison, 1809-1820, (6) Perry, 1820-1929, (7) St. Clair, 1819-1933, (8) Talladega, 1833-1929, (9) Tallapoosa, 1830-1911, and the Jefferson County 1818-1940 Marriage Index, including the Bessemer Annex. In addition, we have Death Index for the following states (1) Arkansas, 1914-1950, (2) Mississippi, 1912-1943, (3) Tennessee, 1908-1954, (4) Texas, 1903-1963, and Pre 1900 Georgia Death Certificates. Our library also offers additional researching FREE through "Ancestry.com", "Fold3.com" and "GenealogyBank.com". The Alabama Historical Commission Oral History Project in 1978, and through a grant received in 2011 from Alabama Historical Records Advisory Board and matching public contributions to digitalize this collection, are now available for your private listening pleasure. To see the index Click Here. The Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. accepts and collects materials which provide information on the history of Shelby County Alabama. It is possible that some of these same materials are also available at the Alabama Department of Archives & History and/or public libraries throughout the state. These materials are acquired for researchers' convenience and not with the expectation that they will be kept forever. We also acquire duplicate copies of many items which tend to be heavily used by researchers. The archive's collection consists of books, dissertations, theses, journals, and newsletters, and also contains materials in a variety of formats, such as microfilm, microfiche, and vertical files of unpublished materials. Because the history of Shelby County is closely tied to the history of Alabama, we also collect some Alabama history reference materials. If you would like to offer reference material to the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. please contact Bobby Joe Seales. We are located in the Old Shelby County Courthouse, built in 1854 in Columbiana, Alabama. This building has been designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places and is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage. The Museum displays many old Shelby County photographs and artifacts from the Indian era through WWII; including such items as the bell from the Alabama, a well-known railroad engine during its time, Creek Indian artifacts, the 1906 Shelby County Courthouse cornerstone contents removed 24th June 2006, and three chestnut wood cars and several feet of wood track that were found on the 4th May 1974 in the forgotten Confederate Gurnee Coal Mine in West Shelby County. They proudly display a serving for 12 of the (1) Alabama College Wedgwood 50th Anniversary Reynolds Hall dinner plates, 1896-1946, and (2) serving for 12 tea cups and saucers, introduced in 1949, with the Library (Wills Hall). Effective August 1, 2015 (until further notice) the hours of operation of our Museum and Archives are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. We are temporarily closed, until further notice, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and Holidays. Please come and visit us. Information above from Shelby County Museum & Archives Website 2013 AL.com article about updates to 1854 Shelby County Courthouse which houses Museum and Archive. Historical Marker Database record of 1854 Shelby County Courthouse.
Liz Clayton, Shelby County Historical Society
Shelby County Musuem & Archives Website
Shelby; Education; Montevallo, University of; Alabama Girls' Industrial School; Alabama State College for Women
In October of 1896, the Alabama Girls’ Industrial School opened its doors to some 150 young women from all parts of the state. They had come to participate in a great experiment, in an innovation in education for Alabama. They had come to be trained as teachers, bookkeepers, artists, musicians, dressmakers, telegraphers and milliners. In other words, at last, there was a school in Alabama whose purpose was to educate women to be self-supporting; at last, here was an opportunity to escape from the drudgery of field work, mill work, or from the ignominy of depending on a father or brother for lifelong support if there was no husband. At last, here was an opportunity for young women to expand their minds and dreams in a state, poverty-stricken by economic circumstances, that could provide little public education for its citizens. In 1911 AGIS became Alabama Girls’ Technical Institute. The phrase “and College for Women” was added in 1919. In 1923, the school became Alabama College, State College for Women, a degree-granting institution. Two men enrolled in January of 1956, and with 33 more arriving by September, a new era had begun for the school. In 1969, in order to reflect this changing atmosphere, the school changed its name to University of Montevallo, and its four distinct colleges (Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, and Fine Arts) were established. Today, UM holds fast to the principles that we were founded upon and the mission that we’ve always upheld. As Alabama’s only public liberal arts university, we take pride in knowing that our curriculum is both challenging and affordable. And while we offer degree programs in more than 70 academic disciplines, our student-to-faculty ratio is a mere 16-to-1, so you’ll know that you’re getting a tailor-made education. It’s no surprise that we’re continuing to ascend the ranks of U.S. News & World Report’s list of America’s Best Colleges when it comes to overall education and lack of student loan debt. Information above from History of Montevallo University
Notes from the Teague Memoirs of Shelby County tell of a man who lived on this side of the river at McGowan’s Ferry (just south of the site of the SEGCO Steam Plant). He had an understanding with an Indian friend on the Talladega County side. The Indian has promised to warn his friend when his people were on a rampage. One day, the white man saw the smoke signal and spread the alarm thet the Indians were coming. It was related that ribbons, corsets, and many bits of paraphernalia were strewn along the road from Wilsonville to Montevallo as the residents left in great haste. On 10 November 1840 a James McGowen of Shelby County filed on a parcel of land in the area one mile from Wilsonville on the Coosa River, that would later be known as “McGowan’s Ferry.” Both James W. and George W. McGowan enlisted and served in the American War between the States. George purchased the site of McGowan's Ferry in 1874 from B. Averitt. It is unclear if he and James W. were related to the James McGowin who purchased the land in 1840. James and Julia Johnson McGowan had been living in Columbiana but moved to Wilsonville between 1870 and 1878 and may have made the move when G.W. purchased the land from Averitt. The town of Wilsonville was first incorporated in 1897. G.W. McGowan was the first mayor. He married Mary Jane Blockton and after her death in 1888 remarried Sarah E. Privett of Calhoun Co, Alabama in 1889. He died in 1903 and is buried in Wilsonville Cemetery. The McGowan Ferry ceased operation in 1939. It was an important linked across the Coosa between Shelby and Talledega Counties. ~ from History of Wilsonville, Alabama AL.com 2013 article about potential bridge sites near locations of old ferry sights.
Lindsay Historical Site: David Lindsay, A Revolutionary War Soldier
Shelby; American Revolution; Cemetery; DAR
David Lindsay was born 1750 in Washington County, Pennsylvania and died 1835 in Shelby County, Alabama. He was a private in the American Revolutionary War and a pioneer settler of Shelby County. He married Mary Casey and they had twelve children. On April 2, 1784, in reward for his service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Lindsay was granted 100 acres of land in Green County, North Carolina. They settled in Shelby County before the 1820 census. He died about 1835 and Mary died about 1847. Both are buried with other family members on a son's former homestead in the Maylene community. The family graveyard has been preserved as the Lindsay Historical Site near Shelby County Highway 17. The David Lindsay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was first chartered in Montevallo in 1927 with some members having descended from Lindsay through his daughters. In 2006 the group erected a memorial plaque on a native rock at American Village. In April 2008 they won official recognition of Lindsay's service and genealogy from the National Society of the DAR. David Lindsay Chapter, Alabama Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Lindsay Historical Site David Lindsay by Bobbie Joe Seales David Lindsay B'ham Wiki Clan Lindsay Site David Lindsay on Findagrave.com
What remains of the Shelby Hotel, adjacent to Shelby Iron Works, is closed to public and on private property. It is believed to be the first in Alabama to have running water and electric lights. Originally built in 1863, it was totally destroyed by fire in 1898, and rebuilt in 1900. Shelby Hotel by Bobby Joe Seales on Rootsweb Article about Shelby Hotel by Strange Alabama (Beverly Crider) on AL.com
Shelby Springs Hotel & Confederate Cemetery
Shelby Springs; Mineral Springs; Hotel; Resort; Hospital; Cemetery; Civil War
Shelby Springs Resort Hotel is believed to have been built sometime around 1839 providing accomodations to tourists coming to avail themselves of the mineral waters. In about 1856 Mr. Jasper J. Norris of Selma leased the property consisting of 2,700 acres of wooded land, including the springs, hotel and cottages. During the Civil War, the facilities were used as a training center for the young Confederate soldiers. In 1862 Shelby Springs was known as Camp Winn. Several students in the University of Alabama Cadet Corps were sent there to drill troops for the Army. In 1863, the Confederate Army as a hospital and a soldier's home used the hotel and cottages. Father Leray and the Sisters of Mercy staffed the hospital after fleeing Civil War destruction in Vicksburg, Mississippi. They brought with them by train many wounded and sick Confederate soldiers. The Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery became an extension of an existing cemetery located on a ridge overlooking the springs. Copied from the Shelby County Historical Society Quarterly magazine, dated March 2002: Shelby County Reporter, Thursday, June 10, 1976 Letter to the Editor: With very much interest I read the letter in the "Reporter" about the old cemetery located near, at that time, the old Summer Resort at Shelby Springs. Fifty years ago the Nelson Realty Co. purchased the Shelby Springs and their plans were to build a big Hotel and Club House to be named the "Yamakita Club" but somehow it never materialized. Then a man named Irby procured it and from that the present owner acquired the property, Howard Hall. Since the last two owners acquired it, there were no more good times, such as picnics et cetera at Shelby Springs. People for miles around would come there especially on the 4th of July ball games et cetera, plenty of water of which there were five kinds, three artesian springs of sulphur water. It was meeting place for all the neighbors. Gone is all that now, an iron fence surrounds the old springs "lot" as it was called, but let us get back to the cemetery, it was known as the Old Soldiers Grave Yard. I personally knew of two old civil war veterans buried there, I.C. Miller and his brother William "Bill" then their sisters Miss Nancy Miller and Mrs. Marian [Mary Ann, second wife of Felix James] Seale ... John Roche Gould, 3329 Oakhill Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35216. More about Shelby Springs Hotel More about Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery Findagrave.com listings for Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery
Shelby County; Civil War; Iron Industry; Iron; Ware, Horace; blast furnace; Historic Shelby Association; industialization
Shelby Iron Works began when Horace Ware purchased land south of Columbiana, Alabama from Green B and Sarah Seale on December 29, 1842. Ware acquired other properties in the area with available timberland and hematite ore. The Shelby Iron Works Company was started with the building of a cold blast iron furnace. The lone furnace stack was built out of brick and stone and only stood 30 feet high. During The American War between the States the iron works was useful in outfitting the CSS Tennessee, CSS Huntsville and the CSS Tuscaloosa. A detachment of Union General Emory Upton's division of Wilson's Raiders attempted to destroy the ironworks on March 31, 1865. The ironworks was rebuilt and continued to operate until 1923 when production stopped. The majority of the Ironworks was dismantled for scrap in 1929. Shelby Ironworks Website
The Columbiana City Cemetery represents over 200 years of history in the Shelby County area. Many recognized names are interred in this old cemetery and deserve to be remembered. In 2006 Eagle Scout Robert Justice took on the major task of logging all of the names in the cemetery and then publishing that list on the Shelby County Historical Society website. In 2011 The Columbiana Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints undertook an extensive refurbishment of the cemetery. Thereafter, using Robert Justice’s compilation of names, they created a grid system map to locate all names interred here. They also went completely through the grounds looking for and finding additional graves that had either been lost in the landscaping or added since Robert’s work. Located in Columbiana, Alabama on both sides of Shelby County Highway 47 South. Rootsweb Census of Columbiana Cemetery Columbiana Cemetery listings on Findagrave.com
Shelby County Tax Records 2015 Parcel #21 7 26 4 001 001.000
People; Russellville, AL; Franklin County, AL
Mr. Leavitt came to Franklin County in the early 1900s and lived on Spruce Pine mountain. After life as a sea captain, Mr. Leavitt desired a new life of peace and quiet. He always boasted that he brought "enough money to last the rest of his life". He lived on the mountain for five years, telling his stories and teaching music and art to the citizens in the area. Rumors spread through Franklin County about the mysterious gold that Mr. Leavitt supposedly had hidden within his mountain retreat. On a morning in 1904, Mr. Leavitt was found murdered with a fractured skull in a location known as Bent Hickory. His body gave indication that the attack came from behind. Police never found Mr. Leavitt's killer.
Franklin County Data, Franklin County Archives
Civil War; People; Moulton, AL; Lawrence County, AL
General Philip Dale Roddey was born in Moulton, Alabama, in 1820. Because Roddey's parents were poor, he did not receive any formal schooling. Roddey first worked as a tailor. Later, Roddey served as a sheriff of Lawrence County. He resigned from this position to join a steamboat business in Colbert County. In 1861, Roddey recruited a company of mounted men and entered the Confederate military as a captain. Roddey repelled the first attack from Union troops who tried to invade Alabama, which earned him the title of "Defender of the North Alabama." His service led him to rise to the rank of brigadier general. Roddey served with General Joseph Wheeler during the Tennessee campaign. Roddey also served with General Harris at Harrisburg, Athens, Tishomingo, and Sulphur Trestle. Following the end of the war, Roddey abandoned his family and moved to New York to become a commission merchant. Roddey died in London in 1897 after negotiating the sale of a patent on a new water pump. His body was returned to the United States and was buried in Tuscaloosa.
Altadena Valley Community; Rocky Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Acton Memorial Church; Acton, Zephaniah William Henry; Presbyterian Church of America; PCA;
Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church began in 1854 under the name Rocky Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church, near the current facilities of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. AVPC moved to its current facilities in 1912 as the result of a church split over whether or not the church should maintain its affiliation with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination or establish a new affiliation with the northern Presbyterian Church. The group that moved to the church’s current location chose to be members of the northern Presbyterian Church. The name of the church was changed to Acton Memorial Church, in honor of Zephaniah William Henry Acton, a charter member and founder of the church. The rolls of the church were dominated by the Acton name in those days. Until the late 1960’s, the church struggled in different ways, with any limited prosperity always being followed by some crisis that caused significant numbers of the congregation to leave. With the community beginning to grow around it, and with the blessing of God through some excellent pastoral leadership, the church began to grow in the late 1960’s. The name was changed in 1968 (by a congregational vote of 17-7) to its current name, reflecting the determination of the church to reach its community. Several building programs were initiated and completed during the 1970’s and early 80’s, including the 1983 razing of the old sanctuary and the construction of our current sanctuary as a replica of that old building. On June 4, 1978, the congregation voted unanimously to change its denominational affiliation to the PCA.
Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church Website
Killian Cemetery Records at Findagrave.com Killian Cemetery Records USgenweb Archives
Shelby County Historical Society; Cemeteries; Moses Johnson
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 33.21580, Longitude: -86.55420 Johnson Cemetery Listing on Findagrave.com Johnson Cemetery Listing on Rootsweb
Johnson Cemetery Listing on Findagrave.com Johnson Cemetery Listing on Rootsweb