Issue 33, Summer 1994

General Overview: The image serves as the cover of “Alabama Heritage” magazine, specifically Issue 33 from Summer 1994. It exudes an antique and historical ambiance, featuring an arrangement of vintage items. Specific Elements or Objects: Magazine Title and Issue: At the top, the bold text reads “Alabama Heritage,” signifying the magazine’s title. Just below, in smaller font, it states “Issue 33 Summer 1994.” Vintage Artifacts: A dark-colored military-style jacket adorned with metal buttons and badges. An old-fashioned microscope with intricate details, evoking memories of scientific exploration. Various medals and insignias are thoughtfully scattered around, each perhaps representing historical achievements. A piece of paper lies beneath some of the objects, but unfortunately, the text is too faint to decipher. Background: The items rest on a textured surface, enhancing the overall vintage aesthetic.

Issue 33, Summer 1994

On the cover: Memorabilia of Eugene Allen Smith, state geologist 1873-1927, including a University of Alabama cadet jacket; a geologist’s hammer; Smith’s eyeglasses microscope, compass, gradebook, and his Civil War captain’s bars; and Smith’s 1926 geological map. [Courtesy Alabama Museum of Natural History. Photograph by Chip Cooper]

Purchase This Issue

Features

General Overview: The image depicts an man from an older era. The sepia tone of the photograph adds to its nostalgic feel. Specific Elements or Objects: Hair: Neatly combed hair is visible, with a left-sided part. He has an overgrown mustache and small beard. Ear: One ear is partially visible on the side of the blurred section. Clothing: The person wears formal attire, including a collared shirt and a patterned cravat or ascot tie. The white pointed collar stands out. The cravat or ascot tie has a discernible pattern, although specific details are unclear due to the image resolution. Image Tone: The sepia tone suggests that this might be an old photograph.
Eugene Allen Smith, 1841-1927. [Courtesy Geological Survey of Alabama]
Purchase This Feature

Eugene Allen Smith and the Geological Survey of Alabama

By John C. Hall and Frances Osborn Robb

When Eugene Allen Smith was named state geologist in 1873, he began taking extended summer trips into the Alabama backwoods, noting the natural resources in Alabama’s land. His efforts to explore and define the geology of the state helped bring about an industrial revolution, the effects of which are still felt today. Authors Hall and Robb follow the course of Smith’s career, from earning a Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg through the founding of the Alabama Museum of Natural History at the University of Alabama’s Smith Hall, a building named in his honor for the achievements of his influential career.

General Overview: The image transports us back in time to an era when steamboats ruled the waterways. It’s a black and white photograph that exudes nostalgia. Our focal point is a majestic steamboat, moored at a bustling port. The scene is alive with activity, and the air is thick with anticipation. In the background, a sturdy bridge spans the water, connecting distant land masses. Specific Elements or Objects: Steamboat: The steamboat dominates the left side of the frame. Its imposing presence is accentuated by two tall chimneys that release plumes of dark smoke. The boat’s architecture reveals intricate details—decks, railings, and windows—hinting at its dual purpose: passenger transport and cargo hauling. People: A crowd of individuals congregates near the docked vessel. Their attire suggests a bygone era—perhaps early 20th century. We can’t discern individual faces, but their collective energy speaks of farewells, reunions, and the promise of distant adventures. Port Area: The port combines natural elements (rocky terrain) with man-made structures. It’s a hub of activity, where commerce and human connections intersect. Adjacent to the steamboat, we glimpse warehouses, cranes, and other facilities. Bridge: In the distant background, a bridge stretches across the water. Its arches and supports are visible, framed by leafy trees. The bridge symbolizes connectivity—a link between two shores, two worlds.
In 1915 Alabamians celebrated as the first boat passed through Lock No. 17. Steamboats continued to travel the Black Warrior well into the twentieth century. [Courtesy Heritage Commission of Tuscaloosa County]

Harnessing the Black Warrior River

By Kenneth D. Willis

After the Civil War, with the South’s economy in decline, attention focused on coal mining and the use of the Black Warrior River. Improvements in the Black Warrior would allow shipping to the previously unnavigable north and improve the southern passage to Mobile. This article tells the story of the construction of the original 17 locks in the lock and dam system, completed in 1915 under Maj. Andrew Naef Damrell of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Though Tuscaloosa never became “the Pittsburgh of the South” as residents had hoped, the lock and dam system brought about a boom in Alabama’s mineral belt economy, and continues to serve as an important transportation link connecting Tuscaloosa and Birmingham to Mobile and the world.

Sloss Furnaces: A Story of Iron and the Men Who Made It

By Paige Wainwright

Birmingham’s Sloss Furnaces have long been a symbol of the steel industry which created the “Magic City.” And while Sloss Furnaces produced pig iron to feed the city’s hungry foundries and mills, much more flowed through the furnaces than just iron: “A whole culture did, a whole way of life,” one former worker said. This article tells of the industry at Sloss, noting racial and economic biases within the company, harsh and dangerous working conditions, and the unique measure taken by Birmingham residents to preserve and interpret Sloss as a modern day museum of that era.

Purchase This Feature
General Overview: The photograph captures an industrial setting—a part of a large factory or plant—against a clear sky. The structures and machinery are predominantly made of rusted metal, suggesting age and wear. Specific Elements or Objects: Factory Structure: A massive, multi-level metal structure dominates the scene. It features platforms, stairs, and interconnected pipes. The design is intricate, with various sections interwoven. Towers: Adjacent to the main structure, there are two tall cylindrical towers. They are painted in an orange hue and have caps on top. Roofed Section: In the foreground, we see a long building with a sloped roof. The roof appears weathered and worn. Green bushes grow at the base of this building, suggesting a degree of abandonment or lack of maintenance. Sky: The sky is clear, with only a few clouds. This indicates favorable weather conditions. Graphic Art Image Prompt: “A dilapidated industrial plant surrounded by overgrown vegetation under a stormy sky, highlighting nature’s reclamation over man-made structures.”
In 1977, to the surprise of almost everyone, Birmingham voters passed a $3.3 million bond issue to begin the work of preserving Sloss Furnaces. The old iron-making plant became a National Historic Landmark in 1981. [Courtesy Robin McDonald]
General Overview: The image portrays a group of people in an industrial setting, likely a factory or workshop. Machinery and equipment surround them, suggesting manual labor or industrial work. Specific Elements or Objects: People: Seven individuals stand in a line on the right side of the photo. There are additional people in the background working. They wear practical, work-appropriate clothing. Every person is wearing a hate of some sort. Machinery: Dominating the left side, a large metallic machine with intricate components commands attention. Worker on Ladder: One person stands on a ladder, actively engaging with the machine—perhaps operating or repairing it. Observers: The remaining six individuals stand nearby, watching the worker on the ladder. Their purpose remains unclear—waiting for instructions, perhaps? Industrial Setting: The background, dark and indistinct, hints at an indoor environment filled with tools and equipment. Clothing: Practical attire suited for manual labor adorns the workers.
Turn-of-the-century ironworkers posing in front of an iron-pouring operation. [Courtesy Birmingham Public Library]

Voices From Alabama

By J. Mack Lofton, Jr.

These interviews, excerpts from J. Mack Lofton, Jr.’s Voices from Alabama: A Twentieth-Century Mosaic (University of Alabama Press, 1993), are the words of industrial workers and their families as they recall the troubles and triumphs of life in the Birmingham district

General Overview: The photograph transports us to Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park, where history and nature intersect. The focal point is an ancient brick structure, partially reclaimed by the natural world. Moss and vegetation cling to its weathered surface, creating a striking contrast between human-made architecture and organic growth. Specific Elements: Old Brick Structure: The central feature is a dilapidated brick edifice. Its age is evident from the erosion, cracks, and missing bricks. The structure stands as a testament to the past, hinting at its former purpose—perhaps a furnace or kiln. An arched entrance beckons us to explore its shadowy interior—an invitation to unravel its secrets. Surrounding Nature: The bare branches of trees frame the scene, suggesting a season of transition—possibly fall or winter. Moss-covered ground surrounds the structure, softening its harsh edges. The grass and other vegetation reclaim the land, blurring the boundary between human intervention and natural growth. Text on Image: At the bottom, the inscription reads: “Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park.” This provides context and confirms the location.
Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park. [Submitted Photo]

The Birmingham Industrial Heritage District

By Philip Morris and Marjorie White with Brenda Howell and Bill Jones

Philip Morris, President of the Birmingham Historical Society, details the development of the Birmingham Industrial Heritage District in this article. The project’s intent is to record, interpret, and promote the industrial-based history of the metropolitan region. Also along with plans for the district is a listing of district sites open to the public, from destinations in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa to smaller historical parks and museums in Walker, Shelby, Bibb and Jefferson counties.

Departments

This image showcases a captivating close-up view of a plant with distinct green leaves and unique yellowish flowers. The leaves are dark green, with smooth edges and an oval shape. The flowers, in various stages of blooming, have yellowish-green petals that extend outward like spikes. The blurred background enhances the focus on this intriguing plant.
Alabama croton at Pratt’s Ferry, Bibb County. [Photograph by L. J. Davenport]

The Nature Journal

The Alabama Croton

By L. J. Davenport

A topic like “the industrial development of central Alabama” induces nightmares in a naturalist, conjuring up images of slag heaps, slurry ponds, and strip-mined vistas. Yet, in at least one case, such development led directly to the discovery of a new species–a plant cleverly adapted to the harshness of its dwindling “refuge.” L.J. Davenport tells the story of the Alabama croton.

At the Archives

Immigrants Needed, Please Apply: Publications of a Nineteenth-Century State Bureau

By Michael A. Breedlove

State publications can be a valuable resource for researchers. The Alabama Department of Archives and History has an excellent collection of Alabama state publications dating from the early nineteenth century, including the state Auditor’s annual reports, which date from 1820.  These documents reveal important information about Alabama’s history–particularly in the years following the Civil War, when the state hoped to develop agriculture and industry. Part of this push was an attempt to attract immigrants to the state. Michael A. Breedlove discusses the efforts of government officials to project an image of Alabama that would appeal to potential immigrants.

General Overview: The image portrays two individuals standing side by side. The photo exudes an old-world charm, slightly faded and reminiscent of a bygone era. Specific Elements or Objects: Obscured Faces: Both figures have their faces concealed by grey rectangles, leaving their identities shrouded in mystery. Individual on the Left: Wearing a patterned dress with short sleeves. The dress features a light-colored base adorned with scattered dark designs. Their hands are clasped together in front. Individual on the Right: Dressed in a dark suit, complete with a white shirt underneath. A delicate flower boutonniere graces the left lapel of the suit. Background: Although indistinct, the backdrop suggests an outdoor setting, with textures reminiscent of natural elements.
Government efforts had little to do with the scores of immigrants who came to the Birmingham area in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Pictured, Slavic immigrants who settled in the coal-mining community of Brookside. [Courtesy Birmingham Public Library]
Back to top arrow