Issue 55, Winter 2000

The image features the cover of a magazine titled “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” The background color is a rich purple, and the title is prominently displayed in bold white letters at the top. Below the title, there’s an intricate black-and-white illustration. The illustration depicts a historical scene: People are gathered outside wooden buildings, suggesting an old-time setting. Above them, streaks of light or a meteor shower adorn the sky. The overall scene evokes a sense of heritage, history, and community. At the bottom of the cover, there’s text that reads: “PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM.”

Issue 55, Winter 2000

On the cover: Stars fell on Alabama in 1833. [From Bible Readings for the Home Circle, 1889]

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Features

The Battle-Friedman Garden Blooms Again

By George Stritikus

A home surrounded by an intricately designed and well-kept garden is a rare pleasure today, and was even more so in the nineteenth century. And that’s what makes the rediscovery and restoration of the Battle-Friedman garden such a revelation. Built in the late 1830s by Alfred Battle, the Battle-Friedman house in Tuscaloosa has remained as one of the finest examples of antebellum architecture in Alabama, but not until 1987, when an elaborate garden design was uncovered on the grounds, was the home’s grandeur fully realized. In the Winter 2000 issue of Alabama Heritage, author George R. Stritikus tells the story of the Battle-Friedman garden, the oldest documented garden in Alabama, and a garden with roots running all the way to the rich landscaping tradition of England.

The picture showcases a stately brick building, likely a historical home or mansion. It stands amidst lush greenery, surrounded by well-maintained lawns and shrubs. Architectural Features: The building is constructed from red bricks, giving it a timeless appearance. A prominent portico graces the front, supported by tall, white columns. The roof of the portico extends outward, providing both shade and aesthetic appeal. Steps lead up to the entrance, which features a white door. Multiple windows adorn the building, allowing natural light to filter through. The overall ambiance exudes elegance and grandeur, reminiscent of classical architectural styles.
Grass obscures the intricate system of brick-lined paths. [Robin McDonald]
Meteor Shower Spectacle: The illustration portrays a mesmerizing meteor shower unfolding across the night sky. Streaks of light, representing meteors, crisscross the celestial canvas, illuminating the darkness. The meteors’ luminous trails create a breathtaking display, capturing the wonder of cosmic phenomena. Foreground Elements: Silhouetted figures stand in the foreground, gazing upward in awe. They appear to be observing the meteor shower from an elevated vantage point. Rocks and vegetation surround them, suggesting they might be near water or atop a hill. Cityscape Amidst Tranquil Waters: In the middle ground, an intricately detailed cityscape emerges. Architectural features include spires, domes, and other ornate structures. The calm waters below mirror both the cityscape and the meteor streaks, creating a harmonious reflection.
The 1833 Leonid Meteor storm viewed from the banks of the Mississippi River. Gamblers, thieves, and various others concerned with their eternal destination took the shower as a sign from the heavens to mend their ways. [From Our First Century, R. M. Devens, 1876]

When Stars Fell on Alabama

By John Hall

On the night of November 12, 1833, gamblers, thieves and other assorted sinners along the east coast of the United States traded in the instruments of their debauchery in exchange for prayerbooks, so sure were they that the end was near. The stars were falling from the sky; certainly, they believed, the earthly world was doomed. Alas, the world was not coming to a close. The dramatic display was actually a meteor storm—one of the most intense in recorded history—and, as John Hall writes in the Winter 2000 issue of Alabama Heritage, “its memory seemed to stick with Alabamians long after it was forgotten elsewhere.”

Hurricane Frederic

By J. Mack Lofton

Some twenty years ago, in September 1979, Hurricane Frederic ripped through the Gulf Coast, tearing the roofs off buildings, slinging freighters ashore, and wreaking havoc on the lives of half a million Alabamians. Mack Lofton details the life of the devastating tempest in the Winter 2000 issue of Alabama Heritage, charting the storm’s course from its infancy off the coast of Africa all the way to its last gust off the coast of Maine. Along the way, Lofton presents eyewitness accounts of the Mobile area’s preparations for the storm, the damage it caused, and the monumental clean-up and restoration effort that followed it.

The scene appears to depict destruction and devastation: A building with a tiled roof dominates the foreground. However, it is severely damaged, with parts of it collapsed. Debris and rubble are scattered around the area, suggesting a recent disaster or catastrophic event. Amidst the wreckage, a palm tree stands resiliently. It leans to one side but remains upright. The overall tone of the image is sepia, giving it an aged and somber appearance. The sky is overcast, adding to the melancholic mood.
Frederic demolished buildings and scattered debris for miles. [Robin McDonald]
An individual is seated at a desk in an office setting. They are dressed in formal attire, including a dark suit and tie. The person’s face is obscured for privacy. The office has a classic aesthetic, with a brick wall visible in the background. The wall features exposed bricks, giving the room a rustic look. A window with closed blinds is visible to the left of the individual. On the desk, there are papers and what appears to be writing utensils. Additionally, a framed photograph is present on the desk.
Maury Smith of Balch & Bingham led the move to renovate the historic Winter Building in Montgomery. [Robin McDonald]

Good Business: The Rehabilitation of Historic Commercial Buildings

By Mary Huff

A significant effort is underway around the nation and in Alabama to preserve and re-use historic commercial buildings. Often these restoration projects are so successful—both aesthetically and financially—that they encourage other preservation efforts around them and bring life back to downtown. Such is the case in four Alabama cities chronicled by Mary Johnson Huff in the Winter 2000 issue of Alabama Heritage. Montgomery, Birmingham, Florence, and Anniston have all seen dramatic transformations of neglected commercial properties in recent years.

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Departments

Recollections

The Great Depression

By Roy L. Mott, Sr.

Roy L. Mott recounts his childhood in the Great Depression, watching his parents to struggle to make ends meet. The times were hard, but the Mott family was brought closer together than ever, creating fond memories even in the midst of the difficulties of the period.

The photograph portrays two old, wooden structures that appear to be abandoned. These structures exude a rustic charm, with their weathered surfaces and peeling paint. They stand amidst overgrown vegetation, suggesting neglect and the passage of time. Key features: Buildings: The two wooden structures resemble small houses or sheds. Their windows hint at past habitation, but they now bear visible signs of wear and tear. Surroundings: Overgrown grasses and weeds envelop the buildings, emphasizing their abandonment. The lush trees in the background create a secluded, almost forgotten atmosphere. Color Palette: The image is rendered in black and white, lending it a vintage quality.
Scotch Lumber Company camp cars, photographed in 1936, served as the Motts’ home from 1928 until March 1931, when the family moved into their new home. [Roy L. Mott, Sr.]

The Nature Journal

Brown Pelicans

By L. J. Davenport

Pelicans inhabit the edges of oceans and lakes, with seven species worldwide. One species, the brown pelican, occupies the Atlantic, Gulf, and California coasts of the United States, extending its range south into the tropics. The history of this species–and particularly its brush with extinction–is the subject of this month’s “Nature Journal.”

The photograph features two pelicans in a close-up view. These majestic birds stand side by side, their long beaks slightly open. Their plumage is predominantly dark, with lighter shades on their heads and necks. The background appears to be a solid surface—possibly a dock or pavement. The lighting is bright, suggesting that the photo was taken during the day under direct sunlight.
A brown pelican. [Robin McDonald]
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