Issue 42, Fall 1996

The image appears to be a magazine cover titled “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” The central visual element on the cover is a photograph of a historic building’s cupola. The cupola is made of wood and painted white, with architectural details highlighted in grey. Its roof is dome-shaped and topped with a weathervane. The cupola stands out against a clear blue sky. Red borders frame both the entire magazine cover and the central photograph. At the bottom of the cover, there is text that reads: “ALABAMA HERITAGE PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.

Issue 42, Fall 1996

On the cover: The unusual cupola of Lowndesboro’s St. James C.M.E Church once graced the first Alabama state house in Cahaba and is the only vestige of that historic 1825 building. [Photograph by Robin McDonald]

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Features

Comet in the Night Sky: The image portrays a comet streaking through the star-studded night sky. Its celestial journey is both mesmerizing and ephemeral. The comet takes center stage, its bright nucleus shining like a cosmic gem against the dark backdrop. A graceful tail extends from the nucleus, trailing behind the comet. This tail is a testament to the comet’s interaction with the Sun. The tail exhibits a beautiful gradient of colors, transitioning from brilliant white near the nucleus to a softer glow as it fans out. Surrounding the comet are numerous stars, each a distant sun in its own right. They sprinkle the canvas of space with points of light, emphasizing the vastness of the cosmos. Cosmic Phenomenon: Comets are celestial wanderers—icy bodies that journey through our solar system. As they approach the Sun, they heat up, releasing gas and dust. This outgassing creates the characteristic tails we see. The comet’s tail points away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure. It’s a delicate dance between cosmic forces. While the nucleus remains relatively compact, the tail can stretch across vast distances, sometimes spanning millions of kilometers. Starry Night: The background reveals a pristine night sky—a tapestry of twinkling stars. Each star represents a distant sun, some shining from billions of light-years away. The darkness between the stars hints at the vast interstellar spaces that separate these luminous points. No planets or moons are visible in this particular frame, allowing the comet to take center stage. Wonder and Mystery: Comets have fascinated humanity for centuries. They appear unexpectedly, leaving a trail of wonder and curiosity in their wake. Ancient civilizations associated comets with portents, omens, and even divine messages. Today, we study comets scientifically, unraveling their composition and origins. Yet, their ethereal beauty remains a source of awe.
Some sixty-five million years ago, a massive meteorite smashed into the hard bedrock that underlies what is today Elmore County, Alabama. A similar hit today would level much of Alabama and Georgia. Pictured: Comet West, photographed on March 8, 1976. [Photograph by Dennis diCicco/ Sky & Telescope magazine]

The Wetumpka Astrobleme

By John C. Hall

The jumbled hills outside Wetumpka, Alabama, hide a secret; they are the eroded remains of a four-mile wide crater formed by a gigantic meteorite. Formed more than sixty million years ago when a massive meteorite smashed into the hard bedrock that underlies present-day Elmore County, the crater eluded explanation for eighty-five years. Its discovery was first recorded in the 1890s by a state geologist named Eugene Allen Smith, but it was not until 1976 that the area was labeled an astrobleme, or “star-wound,” by Tony Neathery and his team. It is a fitting title for an area where rocks of more than two hundred million years difference in age are jumbled together and where concentric rings of fractures and zones of shattered rock can be found beneath the surface. Although the idea that an impact crater formed this unusual area met with initial resistance, today the Wetumpka astrobleme is widely regarded as fact.

CORRECTION: An incorrect caption ran on page 8. The caption should read: Meteor Crater, Arizona, is 1.2 kilometers in diameter and was produced about 50,000 years ago when an iron meteorite 80-150 feet across hit the earth. The energy released was roughly equivalent to that of a 20-megaton nuclear explosion—a minor disturbance compared to the Wetumpka event. (Courtesy Meteor Crater, Northern Arizona, USA)

Clairmont Springs

By John B. Scott Jr.

For sixty-five years, Clairmont Springs, a summer resort nestled at the base of the Talladega Mountain, was a byword for old-fashioned hospitality and world-class meals. Designed for “all those who need the healing that soft airs and sunny days, that magical water; and long quiet hours…can bring,” Clairmont was one of Alabama’s best-known summer resorts, made popular by its “healing” mineral springs. George Morgan of Tennessee was the first white settler to establish a farmstead at the site of the springs in 1833. After changing hands several times, the 520 acres around the springs was eventually bought by the Clairmont Springs Company, which built a two-story hotel on the property and sold lots for private cottages. Aided by the railway, the hotel flourished under the ownership of the James William Jackson family. Rates were $2.00 a day, $9.00 a week, or $30.00 a month and included a room, three bounteous meals a day, and access to eleven springs, each with a different mineral composition. When Clairmont Springs closed in 1975, time, weather, and vandalism took their toll. However, the natural beauty of the place remains, and the springs flow as strongly as ever.

The image depicts an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by wooden walls. The setting appears to be in a wooded area, with trees visible in the background. The pool itself is rectangular and constructed with wooden walls. There are several individuals around and in the pool, enjoying a leisurely time. Some are seated along the edge of the pool, while others are standing or swimming inside it. A slide is visible on the left side of the image, leading into the pool. The overall ambiance of the photograph has an old, vintage quality to it. The monochromatic, grainy texture suggests that it might be an old or historical photo.
Clairmont’s popular swimming pool, pictured in the 1920’s, was fed by the spring. [Courtesy Barron S. Jackson]
The image depicts a graveyard with a focus on one particular tombstone that stands out from the others. Let’s break down the details: Setting: The scene is outdoors, likely during the day, as sunlight illuminates parts of the graveyard. Graveyard: The area is filled with tombstones, suggesting it’s a burial ground. Foreground Tombstone: One specific tombstone in the foreground is more prominent. It’s taller and has a pointed top. Background Tombstones: Other tombstones are visible in the background, but they appear less distinct due to shadowing or distance. Inscription: The highlighted tombstone bears an inscription. Here’s what it says: MRS. PAMELA A BOUTTE CONSORT OF D E BOUTTE WAS BORN IN ST MARY'S PARISH, LA, JUNE 22ND, 1838 DEPARTED THIS LIFE JULY 14TH, 1878 WIFE OF ABRAHAM
At a remote site near Americana, Brazil, the confederado cemetery and nearby interdenominational Protestant church bear silent witness to the colony of ex-Confederates that thrived here after the Civil War. [Photograph by Cyrus B. Dawsey]

The Confederados: Old South Immigrants in Brazil

By Cyrus B. Dawsey and James M. Dawsey

Distraught by the outcome of the Civil War, many southerners were looking for a new home where they would not have to live subject to the hated Yankees. In the 1860s and 1870s, several thousand southerners packed up their belongings and left the ruin of the post-war South for Brazil. Land there was available for as little as twenty-two cents an acre, and the Brazilian government promised easy citizenship and help with accommodations and transportation. Col. William Norris and his son, Robert, from Spring Hill, Alabama, founded the largest and most successful American colony in Brazil. Attempting to re-create the extensive cotton plantation they had once operated in Alabama, they found success near Santa Bárbara. The Norrises and other American settlers had a dramatic effect on Brazilian society, bringing new farming tools and religious denominations with them. Today the effect of those southern settlers can be seen in their descendents, called confederados, who still speak English and pay homage to their Confederate heritage with annual reunions.

Places in Peril: Alabama’s Endangered Historical Landmarks for 1996

By the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Preservation Alliance Endangered Landmarks Committee

For the third year, the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Preservation Alliance seek to battle indifference to the value of historic structures by calling attention to some of the state’s most imperiled historic places. This year’s list includes eleven landmarks. Once “the model city of the New South,” the entire city of Anniston is now threatened by unplanned development that has demolished many of the city’s historic sites. Also in danger of disappearing due to poor municipal planning is the historic residential district in Union Springs. St. James C.M.E. Church in Lowndesboro, the original Dallas Academy in Selma, and the Rosenwald schools across the state are all endangered by neglect. Also on the list are two residential sites, WPA architectures in Cheaha State Park, and Pelham Road in Jacksonville.

The image you’ve uploaded depicts a row of traditional houses with charming gabled roofs, front porches, and lush greenery. Let’s break down the details: Architectural Design: The houses feature a classic architectural design, characterized by pointed gabled roofs and wooden exteriors. Each house has a welcoming front porch, complete with steps leading up to it. The porches are adorned with white railings and columns. Natural Surroundings: The houses are nestled amidst lush greenery. Well-maintained bushes and trees surround the area, creating a serene environment. The clear sky above suggests that it’s daytime, with soft shadows cast by the sunlight. Urban or Suburban Setting: An overhead power line is visible, indicating that this scene is likely in an urban or suburban location.
Despite the protests of local residents, Union Springs still suffers from ineffective municipal planning. Alabama 82 has been routed through the heart of the historic residential district. Fast-food restaurants and nondescript business structures continue to re­place Victorian-era and antebellum residences. [Photograph by Robin McDonald]

Departments

From the Archives

Off to the War: Photographs of Alabama’s Confederate Soldiers

By Robert Bradley

More than four hundred images are part of the extensive collection of Confederate photographs housed in the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Currently the photographs are being researched, identified, and made available to the public. This department entry includes photographs of and commentary on many of these images.

The photograph is oval-shaped and set against a red background. It exudes a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of bygone eras. The individual in the photo is wearing historical attire. Their face has been obscured, likely for privacy or anonymity. Let’s explore the details: Clothing: The person wears a double-breasted coat with visible buttons. The coat suggests formality and elegance. Headwear: Adorning their head is a hat with a flower-like decoration. The hat adds a touch of sophistication. Neckwear: A scarf or ascot is tied around their neck, featuring intricate patterns. This accessory complements the overall ensemble.
Joseph Bryan Goode, Semple’s Battery, wears a unique hat device, striped shirt, and tasseled scarf, all of which contrast sharply with his well-made uniform. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]
The central focus of the image is a bright green, spherical fruit. The fruit’s surface is covered in numerous small bumps or nodules, creating a distinct texture. It hangs amidst dark leaves and branches, which provide a contrasting background. The lighting highlights the fruit’s detailed texture and vibrant green color. Unfortunately, I cannot discern the specific setting beyond the natural foliage surrounding the fruit. Identification: Based on the visual characteristics, this fruit resembles an Osage orange (also known as a hedge apple). Osage oranges (Maclura pomifera) are native to North America and are often found in hedgerows and woodlands. They are not typically consumed as food but are sometimes used for decorative purposes or as natural insect repellents. Additional Information: Osage oranges are known for their unusual appearance, resembling large, wrinkled green brains. Despite their name, they are not related to oranges and are not edible. The fruit’s bumpy texture and vibrant color make it stand out in natural landscapes.
A bowdark tree and its fruit. [L. J. Davenport]

The Nature Journal

Bowdarks

By L. J. Davenport

Bowdarks are short trees with nondescript leaves. Like other members of the mulberry family, bowdarks produce a juicy latex and a compound fruit, which is quite large. L.J. Davenport examines the history and life-cycle of the bowdark.

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