Issue 46, Fall 1997

The cover of the publication titled “ALABAMA HERITAGE” features a black and white photograph. Let’s break it down: Title: The bold, red letters at the top read “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” Photograph: Below the title, there’s a black and white photo. It shows an individual wearing what appears to be a pilot’s helmet and goggles. The person is seated in the cockpit of an aircraft. Cockpit Details: Unfortunately, the interior details of the cockpit are not clearly visible due to the focus on the person. Affiliation: At the bottom of the cover, there’s small font text indicating that this publication is produced by both the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The text on the cover reads: ALABAMA HERITAGE PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM

Issue 46, Fall 1997

On the cover: Lt. Richard Crommelin, one of the five Crommelin brothers, pictured in the cockpit of his Hellcat fighter, c. 1944. [Courtesy Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C.]

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Features

The focal point of the image is a rusty, vintage “HOTEL” sign that is vertically mounted on the brick wall of a building. The sign has an old-fashioned design, suggesting it has been there for quite some time. Its weathered appearance adds character to the scene. The building’s wall is constructed with bricks arranged in an offset pattern. The bricks create a textured surface, emphasizing the historical feel of the location. Adjacent to the hotel sign, there is a window with an arched top. The window is partially obscured by the blooming pink flowers from a nearby tree. The juxtaposition of the aged sign and the fresh flowers creates an interesting visual contrast. Speaking of the flowers, they are the vibrant highlight of the foreground. Their pink hues stand out against the neutral tones of the brick wall and the sky. The tree branches bearing these blossoms add a touch of nature to the urban setting. The clear blue sky serves as the backdrop, suggesting pleasant weather conditions. Overall, the image captures a blend of nostalgia, nature, and architectural elements.
The turn-of-the-century downtown area in Bridgeport has been nearly abandoned. [Photograph Robin McDonald]

Places in Peril

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

The 1997 list of the most endangered historic sites in Alabama includes a covered bridge, a train depot, the remains of an early ironwork, and even an entire town. As part of the effort to raise awareness of endangered properties around the state, the “Places in Peril” listing is published each year in the fall issue of Alabama Heritage. The 1997 “Places in Peril” are: The City of Bridgeport; New Empire Theatre, Montgomery (demolished August 1997, prior to publication of list); Old Greene County Courthouse Complex, Eutaw; Slave Quarters, Statewide; Melton Hollow, Lauderdale County; Salem-Shotwell Covered Bridge, Lee County; Brierfield Furnace, Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park, Bibb County; Vicksburg and Brunswick Depot, Eufaula; Historic Mill Villages, Statewide; Copeland House, Blount County; Nat King Cole House/Belaire Neighborhood, Montgomery. 

The image appears to be a panel from a vintage comic strip. Here’s what I can observe: Characters: A mailman wearing a blue uniform and a woman dressed in red. Setting: The background depicts a quiet street scene with greenery and part of a house visible, suggesting an outdoor location. Dialogue: The woman says: “Well…what’s new from your brothers, ma’am?” The mailman (whose face is obscured) responds: “Their letters are always so alike! It’s always ‘grand show’ here or ‘grand show’ there!” There’s also an unrelated text box at the top left corner with the following narrative: “WHETHER IT’S A STICK OF BOMBS SMEARING THE JAPS AT RABAUL–OR A TRIM-WINGED GRUMMAN RIDDING A ZERO–OR A DESTROYER LAYING DOWN PRE-INVASION BARRAGE–YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE CROMMELIN BROTHERS HAD A HAND IN IT! VIRTUALLY A ‘ONE-FAMILY NAVY,’ THESE FIVE FIGHTING OFFICERS HAVE BLASTED THEIR WAY THROUGH EVERY MAJOR BATTLE IN THE PACIFIC–VYING WITH EACH OTHER IN PILING UP BOTH WOUNDS AND DECORATIONS!” The overall style of the image is colorful and reminiscent of classic comic strips. The obscured face of the mailman adds an intriguing touch. The narrative text provides additional context, mentioning the Crommelin brothers’ involvement in significant events during wartime.
The Crommelin saga made it into Volume 1, Number 1 of the comic book series entitled It Really Happened, published in New York in 1944. [Courtesy Katherine Crommelin Milton]

The Crommelin Brothers

By John B. Scott, Jr.

History-making seemed to come naturally to the Crommelin boys of Wetumpka, Alabama, both at sea and in the air. The five brothers made their mark in World War II, earning a series of medals and in the process becoming one of the most decorated families in naval history. Author John B. Scott, Jr., interweaves the lives and heroic acts of the Crommelin brothers with the history of the naval battles that took place in the Pacific theatre in World War II. Time magazine dubbed the Crommelin brothers “The Indestructibles” for their amazing escapes from death, but it wasn’t long before this was proved, sadly, untrue. Within three months of each other, two of the brothers, Richard and Charles, were killed in mid-air collisions with other navy planes, and “the fleet’s most famous flying family” was broken up. A monument to the Crommelins in Battleship Park in Mobile, Alabama, commemorates their bravery.

D.L. Hightower’s Photographs of a Vanishing World

By Michael V. R. Thomason

A Clayton, Alabama, resident and the former owner of Hightower Chevrolet, Draffus Hightower was known more for his hobby of taking photographs of local people and places than for his career. Now, Hightower’s photographs of the vanishing rural culture of Barbour County serve as an important historical record for current and future generations. In an excerpt from his book, To Remember a Vanishing World: D.L. Hightower’s Photographs of Barbour County, Alabama, c. 1930-1965, Michael V. R. Thomason examines the life of Draffus Hightower and the historic record his photos have left behind. After his father’s death in 1931, Hightower committed himself to preserving the disappearing culture of his youth. In addition to his more candid photos, Hightower often photographed community events like weddings and funerals. From 1936 on, he took hundreds of portraits of the people of Barbour County, which proved to be his greatest record of the culture he sought to preserve.

The image appears to be in black and white, giving it a vintage or historical feel. The central focus is a person who is engaged with the contents of an open briefcase. Here are the key elements: Person: The individual is standing or sitting near the briefcase. Their gender and age are not clear from the image. They seem to be examining something inside the briefcase. Briefcase: The briefcase is black and open. Inside, there is a screen displaying an unclear image or information. The purpose of this screen is not immediately evident. Components: Below the screen inside the briefcase, there are unidentified objects or components. These could be related to the device or equipment displayed. Interaction: The person appears to be holding something close to their ear. It could be a listening device, phone receiver, or some other communication tool. However, due to the image quality, it’s challenging to determine precisely what they are holding.
Draffus Hightower (1899-1993), photographed here studying an antique music box, was a shy, quiet man and a voracious reader who found almost any subject fascinating. In the mid-1930’s, he turned his gaze to the world around him, which he documented with his camera for the next thirty years.

Departments

The image is a vintage black and white portrait of a person whose face has been obscured by a grey rectangle. The individual is wearing formal attire, including a dark suit and tie. The portrait is oval-shaped and set against a solid blue background. The person wears a dark suit with wide lapels and a tie, suggesting a formal occasion. The oval shape of the portrait gives it an antique appearance, reminiscent of old-fashioned photographs. The blue background contrasts with the monochromatic tones of the image.
William H. Skaggs (1861-1947), the colorful mayor of Talladega, inaugurated many civic improvements- waterworks, public schools, a fire protection company- but he regarded the day he put the sewer under the railroad tracks as one of the high points of his political career. [Courtesy Alabama Department of Archives and History]

Notes on Alabama Law

The Talladega Sewer War, 1890

By Paul M. Pruitt, Jr. 

William H. Skaggs (1861-1947), the colorful mayor of Talladega, inaugurated many civic improvements–waterworks, public schools, a fire protection company–but he regarded the day he put the sewer under the railroad tracks as one of the high points of his political career. This high point came after an extended battle with the railroad company, and may well have cost Skaggs his fourth term as mayor, but he regarded the sewer as a major contribution to the civic life of Talladega.

Southern Architecture and Preservation

Lighting Planters’ Lives

By Lee W. Rahe

As late as the middle of the nineteenth century, candles, because they were costly, were used sparingly even in the homes of Alabama’s wealthiest planters. Lamps, too, were expensive as was the fuel they consumed. This article examines the variety of methods used for lighting houses during the time period.

The central focus of the image is a vintage oil lamp. Here’s what we can observe: The lamp stands atop two closed books, creating an interesting juxtaposition of old-world charm and knowledge. Its metallic base and stem exhibit intricate designs, suggesting craftsmanship from a bygone era. Crystal-like decorations hang from the metal stem, catching the light and adding a touch of elegance. The glass shade atop the lamp is equally captivating. It features delicate patterns and is illuminated from within, casting a warm and inviting glow. Overall, the lamp exudes a sense of nostalgia and sophistication. The books beneath the lamp: These appear to be aged and weathered, hinting at their historical significance. While we can’t discern their titles, they symbolize knowledge, wisdom, and perhaps the passage of time. The choice to place the lamp on books could evoke thoughts of enlightenment or intellectual pursuits. In the background, there’s a glimpse of furniture, although it remains somewhat obscured due to the foreground focus on the lamp and books.
This brass astral lamp with a marble base and a frosted, cut-glass baluster shade was patented July 14, 1849, New York City. [Photograph by Ricky Yanara]
The image depicts a close-up view of a rough, textured surface, possibly a piece of wood or bark. On this surface, small red fungi are growing. These fungi have distinct stalks and caps, resembling miniature mushrooms. The texture of the surface is rugged and uneven, indicating it could be wood or bark. Below the main focus area with the fungi, there are dark jagged shapes that resemble rocks or some type of hard terrain. The background is blurred but seems to consist of similar rocky textures.
British Soldiers guard the shingles of the “arbor” behind Hatchett Creek Presbyterian Church, Clay County. [Photograph by L. J. Davenport]

The Nature Journal

British Soldiers (And Other Lichens)

By L. J. Davenport

Ubiquitous, but often overlooked, lichens inhabit some of the harshest environments on earth. For most of human history, scientists have treated lichens as single plants. We now know, however, that a lichen is actually a composite creature–part fungus and part alga, but with characteristics of its own.

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