Issue 26, Fall 1992

General Overview: The image appears to be a cover of the “Alabama Heritage” magazine, published in Fall 1992. It features an ornate frame containing a portrait with the face obscured, surrounded by text detailing the contents and price of the magazine. Specific Elements or Objects: Magazine Title: The title “Alabama HERITAGE” is written in elegant cursive and capital letters at the top. Publication Information: Below the title, there’s text indicating that it’s published quarterly by The University of Alabama. Portrait: A framed portrait of a woman wearing historical clothing occupies the center. Frame: The portrait is encased in an ornate golden frame with intricate designs. Content Teaser: A curved banner-like text reads “INSIDE ALABAMA VS AUBURN 1893 THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME.” Edition Information: At the bottom left corner, there’s information about this being Number 26 from Fall 1992. Price Tag: – To the right bottom corner, “.00” indicates the price of this magazine issue. – Barcode: – Located at the bottom left corner for inventory and sales purposes.

Issue 26, Fall 1992

On the cover: Finis St. John, Sr., takes his family for a spin in Cullman County’s first motorcar, c. 1912. [Courtesy Finis E. St. John, Cullman]

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Features

The photograph is in sepia tones and features an individual standing outdoors, facing away from the camera. The person is wearing a long-sleeved sweater with the letters “UA” visible on the back. Their lower half is clad in quilted pants, which appear to be padded—possibly for a sport or activity. The person’s hands rest on their hips, suggesting a confident or assertive posture. The background reveals an outdoor setting with foliage, resembling a garden or park environment. On the left side of the image, a stump is visible, indicating recent landscaping or tree removal.
Livingston native William G. Little learned about the new game of football at a prep school in New England and introduced the sport to the University of Alabama in 1892. [Courtesy William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library, University of Alabama]

The 41-Year Time-Out

By Wayne Atchenson

Auburn University and the University of Alabama both began their football programs in 1892, at a time when the major football powerhouses were still Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania, and football was still young in the South. The first Alabama-Auburn football game was played on February 22, 1893, in Birmingham, with Auburn winning 32-22. The Alabama-Auburn series continued until 1907, when the competition between the schools came to an abrupt halt.

Wayne Atchenson details the events leading up to the 1908 disagreement as well as several attempts to restart the series in the twentieth century. It was not until 1948, when the state legislature was about to step in, that both university presidents decided it was time to renew athletic competition between the schools. Alabama would win the 1948 game 55-0, but in the end the renewal of the series was everyone’s gain.

This feature includes a sidebar by Atchenson titled “The Other Battle: Athletics versus Academics.”

Architectural Features: The image portrays a grand house or villa, reminiscent of historical architectural styles. The structure appears to be a two-story house with a prominent tower-like element. Italianate architectural influences are evident, especially in the tower design and arched windows. Multiple chimneys adorn the roof, suggesting the presence of fireplaces within. A central staircase leads to an elevated main entrance, flanked by columns supporting an overhanging roof. Tower and Belvedere: The central tower stands out, rising above the rest of the house. At its peak, there seems to be a belvedere or observation deck, providing panoramic views. Landscape and Setting: The house is set in a spacious rural or suburban environment. Trees and shrubbery surround the property, contributing to its serene ambiance. In the background, faint outlines of mountains or hills add to the picturesque scene.
The J.S. Winter residence, Montgomery, was one of the earliest Alabama commissions of Sloan and Stewart. To keep the house dry. Sloan elevated the first floor six feet from the ground and designed doubled walls with tow-inch wide air spaces between them. [From The Model Architect, 1853]

The Jemison Mansion and Longwood

By Robert O. Mellown

Prior to the Civil War, many well-to-do southerners hired northern architects to construct large ornate homes. Two of the most notable mansions built during this time are the Jemison House in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Longwood in Natchez, Mississippi. Robert Mellown explores the difficulties incurred by the builders of two of the most distinctive homes in the South. From Union blockades to fearful northern workers, both homes remained largely unfinished until the twentieth century. The stories of construction on the Jemison House and Longwood are as interesting as the homes’ late-antebellum Italianate architecture.

This vintage portrait exudes an air of mystery and antiquity. Let’s delve into its intricate details: Subject and Composition: The image features an oval-shaped portrait with an ornate border, reminiscent of classic portraiture. The subject wears formal attire, including what appears to be a black coat and a white shirt. Background and Color Palette: Behind the subject, we glimpse an illustrated or painted background. It depicts trees and foliage in varying shades of green. The overall color palette is sepia-toned, lending the image an antique and timeless quality.
Robert Jemison, Jr., 1802-1871. [Birmingham Public Library]

Jemison Mansion Family Histories

By Camille Maxwell Elebash

Many of the great southern families fell on hard times after the Civil War and never returned to their former wealth. Plagued by outstanding debt, but sometimes owning great physical property, these families found it difficult to recover. The Jemison family of Tuscaloosa faced these hardships as they struggled to overcome obstacles and keep their beloved home in the family.

Camille Maxwell Elebash tells the story of Robert Jemison Jr. and his family from the years of prosperity preceding the Civil War to the Depression-era and the eventual loss of the house to debtors. Currently, the Jemison house is undergoing a massive renovation by its owners, the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and the Heritage Commission of Tuscaloosa County, to restore it to its former glory.

Departments

Southern Architecture and Preservation

The Battle of the Battle House

By Mark C. McDonald

The Battle House Hotel in Mobile, Alabama, is the city’s last grand hotel, which has come to represent the political, social, and cultural life in the city. Currently, the Battle House, built in 1908, is threatened by demolition. Preservationists are now faced with the challenge of raising money and finding a developer who will put the Battle House back into productive use.

Architectural Splendor: The photograph captures the interior of a majestic, circular space adorned with timeless architectural features. The room boasts a high, domed ceiling intricately designed with patterns and motifs. At the apex of the dome, a central circular window or skylight allows natural light to filter into the room, casting a soft glow. The walls on the upper level feature arched openings, suggesting the presence of a balcony or mezzanine floor above. Below, more arches lead to different sections of the building, creating an elegant symmetry. Furnishings and Ambiance: The room is furnished with antique-style chairs and tables, evoking a sense of opulence and history. These period pieces are reminiscent of an earlier era, perhaps harking back to the grandeur of a bygone time. Potted plants are thoughtfully placed throughout the space, adding a touch of greenery and life. The lighting appears soft and diffused, lending an air of tranquility and nostalgia. Overall, this interior exudes a sense of timeless elegance, inviting visitors to step into a world of refined aesthetics. Historical Context: While the exact location remains unknown, the image transports us to a place where architecture and design converge in harmonious splendor.
The lobby of the Battle House Hotel contains an impressive domed art-glass skylight. [Courtesy Erik Overbey Collection, University of South Alabama Archives]
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