Issue 99, Winter 2011

The image appears to be the cover of a publication titled “ALABAMA HERITAGE.” The sepia-toned historical photograph features an individual in 19th-century attire, including a buttoned-up coat. The person’s face is obscured by a gray block. Below the photograph, the text reads: “PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA * THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, AND THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY.” This intriguing image likely contains historical information or stories relevant to Alabama’s heritage.

Issue 99, Winter 2011

On the cover: Augusta Evans Wilson of Mobile, a best-selling southern novelist, explored social and ideological questions in fiction. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]

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Features

Cahaba: Hallowed Ground

By John Scott

Most Alabamians recognize the remnants of Cahaba as the site of the state’s first capital. However, few people have a comprehensive grasp of the community’s rich history and significance to the territory that would become Alabama. Originally named Cahawba, its prime waterfront location and rich natural resources once supported a Native American settlement. In its various iterations as a center of state government, a thriving commercial district, a Civil War prison site, and a genuine ghost town, Cahaba has attracted such illustrious visitors as the Marquis de Lafayette and President Millard Fillmore—and continues to draw crowds today. John Scott recounts Cahaba’s past and the efforts preservationists and historians are making to secure its future.

The image portrays a building reminiscent of traditional Gothic architecture. Key features include a pointed arch doorway, tall and narrow windows, and a steeply pitched gable roof. Constructed from dark wood planks, the structure exudes a solemn aura. Symmetry defines its facade, with the main entrance centered and flanked by windows. Notably absent are religious symbols like crosses, suggesting a secular purpose. The church stands against a backdrop of trees and an overcast sky, with red brick foundations and earthy ground in front.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church [Robin McDonald]

Surviving the Storms: Resilience and Strength in Bayou La Batre

By Frye Gaillard

Located at the edge of the continent, the community of Bayou La Batre consistently faces environmental challenges, from natural disasters such as Katrina to the man-made disasters such as the BP oil spill. Residents of Bayou La Batre have traditionally demonstrated fortitude and tenacity in the face of extreme challenges. Frye Gaillard offers a profile of this community and the people who continue to support it.

The photograph features a black and white scene with two individuals aboard a small sailing vessel. The boat’s sails are down, and the water appears calm. One person stands at the front, gripping part of the rigging, while the other is seated near the stern. Their attire suggests an earlier time period, possibly the mid-20th century. The obscured faces add an air of privacy, and the overall composition captures a serene moment from nautical life.
Two boys fish for oysters in Mobile Bay [Library of Congress]

Augusta Evans Wilson: Writer, Rebel, and Family Woman

By Susan E. Reynolds

One of the most famous authors of her time, Augusta Evans Wilson spent decades crafting intricate and engaging tales of southern life, and particularly southern women. Wilson, who lived in Mobile for most of her life, held passionate views on the South and its people, and her books made her a household name, while profits from them allowed her to support her family. Wilson’s expressed beliefs suggested her to be far from a feminist, but her own lifestyle of ambition and strong-headedness belied her stated values. Author Susan Reynolds introduces us to the works and characters of Augusta Evans Wilson, and to Wilson herself, whose own colorful life may have proven more engaging than any of her literary creations.

Editor’s Note: We are very grateful to a dedicated reader for clarifying the date of ownership of Georgia College. The home was deeded to the family in 1857 rather than in 1859.

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The image appears to be a vintage-style photograph. The person includes styled hair (possibly an updo) and clothing from an earlier era with ruffled or lace details.
Augusta Evans Wilson [Alabama Department of Archives and History]
The image depicts two individuals working at a table. They are meticulously sorting through a collection of small objects spread out on trays. Here are some key observations: Setting and Participants: The scene takes place at a table covered with newspaper, likely to protect its surface. There are two people involved in this activity: The person on the left wears a white cap with “Alaska” written on it and a blue shirt. The person on the right wears a black shirt, but their face is not visible. Objects Being Sorted: The objects being sorted appear to be of natural origin. They could be geological or archaeological samples, such as rocks, fossils, or artifacts. The purpose of this sorting activity remains unclear, but it could be relevant for scientific research, educational purposes, or further analysis.
Student volunteers sort through artifacts from the dig at St. Stephens. [Robin McDonald]

Alabama’s Archaeological Sites: A Fragile Responsibility

By Ian W. Brown

Parts of Alabama’s past are recorded in accessible forms such as written historical records. However, a significant amount of detail about the daily life of Alabama’s earliest inhabitants remains cloaked in the artifacts buried throughout the state. That object trampled by hikers might look like trash to a casual observer, but to a trained archaeologist, it could hold valuable clues about our history. Ian W. Brown traces the field of archaeology in Alabama, explaining why it remains so crucial and how it is threatened by treasure-seekers, uninformed residents, and even careless vandals. 

Departments

Southern Architecture and Preservation

Mobile’s Hall-Ford House

By John S. Sledge

Dating back to 1836, Mobile’s Hall-Ford House fell into disrepair, along with many nearby structures in Ft. Condé Village. Owner Lawrence Posner has finally completed a careful restoration of the property and showplace. Painstakingly attending to even the smallest of details, Posner has restored the property to its former glory, and it will soon be opened as a bed and breakfast. The Hall-Ford House stands as an example of the value of preservation and restoration and of the integral space historic structures occupy in the contemporary landscape. 

The image depicts a building in the midst of construction or renovation. Here’s a breakdown of what I observe: Building Under Construction: The structure appears to be a house or a similar building. Brick columns support a balcony with a wooden railing. The ground around the building is uneven and strewn with debris, including bricks and wooden planks. A metal fence surrounds the construction area for safety. Background Elements: In the background, there’s another house visible with yellow siding. The sky is overcast, suggesting it might be a cloudy day. Possible Discussion Topics: Architecture: Analyzing the design and construction methods. Historical Restoration: Considering how this building might be restored to its original state. Urban Development: Discussing how this construction fits into the surrounding area.
The salvaged bricks from the original columns were used in their reconstruction after they were mistakenly knocked down. [John S. Sledge]
The picture portrays an individual standing beside a tree in a wooded area. The person is attired in traditional Scottish clothing, including a kilt, sporran, knee-high socks adorned with decorative flashes, and a jacket. They also hold what appears to be a walking stick or cane.
Erskine Ramsay often played golf in a kilt [Birmingham Public Library Archives]

Portraits and Landscapes

Erskine Ramsay’s Many Namesakes

By James L. Baggett

Investor, inventor, and self-made man Erskine Ramsay was honored as parents in his adopted state of Alabama began to name their sons after him—hoping the boys would emulate his initiative and philanthropic spirit. Ramsay’s benevolent decision to create bank accounts for nearly one hundred young Erskines—among them jazz great Erskine Ramsay Hawkins—created both gratitude and a troubling precedent. 

Becoming Alabama

Quarter by Quarter

By Joseph W. Pearson, Megan L. Bever, and Matthew Downs

In this quarter’s installment of Becoming Alabama, Alabama Heritage takes readers back once again to the Creek War, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. Joseph Pearson recounts the growth of Huntsville (for a moment in time, Twickenham) in the winter of 1811. Megan Bever details the events surrounding Alabama’s secession from the Union in 1861. Finally, Matthew Downs looks at the fearful reactions in Alabama as the University of Georgia faced integration in the winter of 1961. 

Editor’s Note: Alabama Heritage, the Summersell Center for Study of the South, the University of Alabama Department of History, and the Alabama Tourism Department offer this department as a part of the statewide “Becoming Alabama” initiative—a cooperative venture of state organizations to commemorate Alabama’s experiences related to the Creek War, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. Quarter by quarter we will take you to the corresponding seasons 200, 150, and 50 years ago—sometimes describing the most pivotal events, sometimes describing daily life, but always illuminating a world in flux. We will wait for the ultimate outcomes as our forbears did—over time.

The image depicts a historical scene with a large crowd gathered in front of a neoclassical building resembling a capitol or important government structure. The architecture features columns and a dome, suggesting it’s an institution of significance, possibly related to governance or justice. Bare trees on either side indicate fall or winter. In the foreground, individuals converse, some on horseback. This scene likely dates back to the 18th or 19th century, possibly during a political rally, public announcement, or ceremony.
Montgomery on the day of secession. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]
The image depicts the cover of a book titled “Speak Truth to Power: The Story of Charles Patrick, A Civil Rights Pioneer” by Mignette Y. Patrick Dorsey. The cover features a grayscale photograph with a blurred effect on the right side, where text would typically be found on a book cover. On the left side, there’s a partial face, possibly representing the biography’s subject, Charles Patrick. This image is relevant to civil rights history and suggests themes of social justice and historical biography.
A barn owl pellet. [Sara Bright]

Recollections 

Charles Patrick and the Price of Truth

By Mignette Y. Patrick Dorsey

When Birmingham resident Charles Patrick went to purchase a Boy Scout uniform for his son in 1954, he did not know that the unsuccessful shopping trip would come to define the rest of his life. Patrick, an African American, reprimanded a local woman for stealing the parking place he was waiting for. He was arrested and beaten for his admonishment. His decision to speak truthfully about the abuse he suffered created an early groundswell towards the civil rights movement. 

The image depicts a historical marker sign titled “FORT STROTHER.” The sign is blue with raised silver lettering and an emblem at the top. It reads “Creek Indian War 1813-1814” and indicates that it is located 12 miles north. The sign provides information about its construction by Andrew Jackson with Tennessee Troops and friendly Creek Indians, serving as a base of operations during the Creek Confederacy.
The AHA marker for Fort Strother remains in Talladega rather than its proper location in St. Clair County. [Ron and Gayle Thomas]

AH Update

In Search of Missing Markers

By Gayle Thomas

For approximately sixty years, the Alabama Historical Association has placed markers denoting significant historical and cultural sites in Alabama. As time passed, some of those markers disappeared, the victims of damage, destruction, or road closings. Gayle Thomas set out with husband Ron on a county-by-county adventure to locate the markers, and she solicits our help tracking down those markers that have yet to turn up. 

The photograph features three individuals seated on an outdoor bench. The background reveals a rural setting with grass, wildflowers, and part of what appears to be a wooden structure—possibly a windmill or agricultural equipment. The juxtaposition of the whimsical paper bags against the otherwise normal and historical scene adds an element of mystery and playfulness.
Samuel M. Tracy, Eugene A. Smith, and Hugo de Vries. [H.H. Bartlett; W.S. Hoole Special Collections, University of Alabama]

The Natural Journal

Professor De Vries and the Evening Primrose Path

By L. J. Davenport

In this quarter’s installment of Nature Journal, Larry Davenport weaves the story of Hugo De Vries, a Dutch geneticist whose work on the evening primrose led him all the way to Alabama. In the process, Davenport ruminates on all sorts of ancestry, from genetic to academic.

The image you uploaded is the cover of a book titled “BURYING THE DEAD BUT NOT THE PAST: Ladies’ Memorial Associations & the Lost Cause” by Caroline E. Janney. The cover features an illustration of a group of people in 19th-century attire gathered around a grave site. Men stand with hats off, women dressed in black hold wreaths, and a central figure kneels by the grave, placing a wreath. The somber and reflective setting likely represents the post-Civil War era, given the clothing style and theme of remembrance suggested by the title. This image is relevant as it represents historical memory practices related to the Civil War and how certain groups have chosen to commemorate it.
The image you uploaded appears to be the cover of a book titled “THE GOLDEN AGE OF BATTLEFIELD PRESERVATION.” The subtitle reads, “The Decade of the 1890s and the Establishment of America’s First Five Military Parks.” The author, Timothy B. Smith, is mentioned below the subtitle. Notably, there is a foreword by Edwin C. Bearss. The cover features a black and white photograph of a large group of people in late 19th-century attire, gathered for an event or commemoration. Below this photograph, there’s a color illustration depicting a historical battle scene with soldiers in combat. This book likely discusses an important era in American history related to battlefield preservation and sheds light on how these sites have been maintained as part of our cultural heritage.

Reading the Southern Past

Honoring the Confederate Dead: Grounds to Conciliation

By Stephen Goldfarb

Stephen Goldfarb explores efforts by southerners to memorialize the Confederate dead during the Reconstruction era. This quarter’s review considers Burying the Dead but Not the Past: Ladies’ Memorial Associations and the Lost Cause (University of North Carolina Press, 2008) by Caroline E. Janney and The Golden Age of Battlefield Preservation: The Decade of the 1890s and the Establishment of America’s First Five Military Parks (University of Tennessee Press, 2008) by Timothy B. Smith. 

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