​In 1540, Hernando De Soto explored the southeastern region of the United States. His exact route through the state of Alabama is unknown, but it is commonly accepted that he entered through the northeast end of the state and traveled southward to the Montgomery-Selma area before either heading west or northwest into Mississippi. His expedition gave insight into the lives of Native Americans before other Europeans arrived, but it also brought diseases such as smallpox that caused depopulation of Native Americans in the areas that the 700-maned army traveled through. De Soto also engaged in battle with Native Americans in southern Alabama after being ambushed by the Mobilian tribe led by chief Tuskaloosa. The battle resulted in Spanish victory, but the Spaniards killed an estimated 2,000-6,000 Native Americans, making it one of the bloodiest battles in North American history.

In this modern age of normalization and acceptance, many members of the LGBTQ+ community do not know the lengths their predecessors had to go to in order to be themselves. The extent of most people’s knowledge is the secret codes that turned into mainstream fashion trends, such as specially placed earrings or color-coded bandanas. However, in the 60s and 70s when the word “lesbian” was not yet mainstream and women could not own property without a husband, many gay women were forced to find refuge hidden away from society. This need for community presented itself in the founding of “Womyn’s Land.” These women-only residences were a safe haven for those who wanted to live independently from a male-dominated society, and for those who wanted to be their most authentic selves. ​

A plethora of resources were recorded during the American Civil War documenting the lives of both men and women. No small amount of them have survived to this day. Today they are easily accessed through libraries and archives. Some of these primary resources were letters from soldiers to their wives. Others were diaries of women left behind providing a unique view of their experiences during America’s bloodiest conflict. Alabama women provided important perspective to the Southern view of the Civil War. 

Thomas Rowan was the son of Irish immigrants, who settled in Saint Clair County, Alabama in c.1854. He later purchased 130 acres in Leeds and built a home along an early stagecoach route, referred to as “The Rowan Oaks House.” John Thomas Rowan, an heir of the home, and Ada Scott Rowan, his wife, later created an extension on the house and turned the home into a turn-of-the-century farmhouse. According to Alabama Communities of Excellence and the Leeds Historical Society, the home was the first in the area with an indoor sink and a hand pump. The Rowan family were prominent farmers and landowners in the region for generations. Despite having little information on the Rowans and how they came to the United States, they came to America during a wave of Irish immigrants looking for a better life. ​

The old mill in Mountain Brook, a smaller community outside of downtown Birmingham, was built by the famous Robert Jemison Jr. in 1927. The structure Jemison built was and is not used as an active mill, it did however replace one that was active in the late 1800s. The original mill used by John Perryman would mill locally grown corn. Jemison is known for the large number of structures he commissioned to be built in Birmingham and surrounding suburbs. In Mountain Brook alone he is responsible for Mountain Brook Village, Mountain Brook Club, Mountain Brook Grammar School and Mountain Brook Riding Academy. The old mill has become very sacred to the residents of the town, as it has become the town’s symbol.  

Across the world, there are around 1.65 billion Muslims. Most of these are spread out across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and West Africa. However, there are also Muslim communities here in Alabama. One of these communities is in Huntsville, where Muslims have developed and established a solid presence with several institutions.

When I realized I was given the opportunity to research and write about an important aspect of Alabama, I immediately knew what I wanted to write about. This subject has been close to my heart since I was a child – the McWane Science Center. As a child, I often visited the McWane Center, an interactive museum designed for children and adults alike. It is full of wonder, excitement, and pure joy for all ages. It is a combination of an IMAX theater, a science museum, research facility and aquarium allowing the young and young at heart to go on an adventure of discovery. 

Tucked in the corner of the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 19th Street North in Bessemer’s Premier Realty building sits Alabama’s oldest serving restaurant, The Bright Star. Opened in 1907 by Tom Bonduris, The Bright Star started out as a small 25 seat cafe and bar primarily serving mining, manufacturing, and railroad workers. After moving three times, The Bright Star arrived at its current location in 1915. The restaurant decor was modeled after the popular styles of 1915 with ceiling fans, tile floors, mirrored and marbled walls, most of which still exist today. An itinerant artist also hand painted several murals throughout the restaurant, which I must say, are a beautiful view to take in. In 1925, Tom Bonduris sold his ownership interest to his great-nephews, and the two patriarchs of the Koikos family, Bill and Pete. Bill and Pete were 1923 immigrants from Greece. They began serving Greek inspired cuisine not long after their purchase in 1925.  Since 1966, Bill’s sons, Jimmy and Nicky, have owned and operated the restaurant.

When my family and I moved from the area surrounding Birmingham, Alabama to Ashville Alabama, I was under the impression that we were moving from the outskirts of an extremely important city to a very unimportant little town. So, imagine my surprise when I moved to Ashville and discovered that this little town held one of the two courthouses and county seats in St. Clair County (the other being Pell City.) A county having multiple courthouses is not unheard of, but it is very rare. On top of that, while Ashville and Pell City both have courthouses, Ashville’s courthouse is older than Pell City’s by a decent margin. The little town that I now live in turned out to have a much richer history than I thought!