Alabama Heritage Places in Peril

Historic Iron and Steel Truss Bridges, Statewide (Places in Peril 2007)

10/22/2007

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Shown is the 1905 Holt bridge that is the last of its kind in eastern Tuscaloosa County. Once commonplace along the highways and byways of the state, iron and steel truss bridges are rapidly disappearing. These bridges are being replaced with new structures because they are often structurally deteriorated and no longer wide enough or able to handle the weight of modern traffic. While these new bridges offer improved safety and utility, they rarely possess the picturesque character and visual qualities exhibited by the historic iron and steel truss bridges they replace.

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Old Bibb County Jail, Centreville, Bibb County, 1910 (Places in Peril 2007)

10/22/2007

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The old Bibb County Jail in Centreville is an ailing landmark looking for a cure. After the county constructed a new facility, the old jail was abandoned and is without a new tenant. Storm damage, deferred maintenance, and neglect have taken a great toll on the building. Demolition was considered, but the old jail was spared when demolition bids came in too high. Mississippi architect A. S. Hull designed the old Bibb County Jail in 1910. Embellished with ornate architectural elements, the old jail visually complements the nearby courthouse, a grand Renaissance Revival building also designed by Hull. The “Better Hometown Group,” a city coalition, is trying to purchase the old jail in hopes of converting it to a county museum. However, the city is willing to consider other plans that may adapt the building to a new use. UPDATE: There is a petition being circulated via social media to stop the demolition of the Old Bibb County Jail. You can sign the petition here.

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Aircraft Hangar at Gragg Field Historic District, Clanton, Chilton County, 1937 (Places in Peril 2007)

10/22/2007

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For many years, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) aircraft hangar at Gragg Field served the Chilton County Airport. Today, this abandoned structure has a collapsed metal wall and a roof open to the elements. With no funds for repair and maintenance, its prospects for reuse are not good. Still, local preservationists believe the old airport hangar is worth saving.

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Old Church of the Epiphany, Guntersville, Marshall County, 1917-18 (Places in Peril 2007)

10/22/2007

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The former Church of the Epiphany (1917–18) is a belated expression of the “carpenter’s Gothic” style, which was the signature of many small Episcopal churches from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth century. When Epiphany’s congregation moved to larger quarters in 1990, their former building became the city art and historical museum. Recently, however, the art museum was relocated to the old armory building. The current owners of the church now want a parking lot, so the building is slated for demolition. Sentiment to preserve the structure is strong in the community, but no feasible plan of action has yet surfaced. Broad publicity could help remedy this situation and hopefully will save this important landmark. UPDATE: The church is about to be moved to Boaz to serve as the house of worship for All Saints Anglican Parish.

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Winterboro High School, Winterboro, Talladega County, 1927 (Places in Peril 2007)

10/22/2007

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Sometimes cited as Alabama's most beautiful rural school, Winterboro High School is known for its distinctive rock façade and classical architecture. From the beginning, the school had been a community building in every sense of the word. Community members helped construct the school in 1927 by carrying local stone to the site.

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Alabama's Endangered Historic Landmarks

Each year since 1994, Alabama Heritage has highlighted threatened historic sites throughout Alabama. The “Places in Peril” list has identified more than 215 imperiled historic resources throughout the state, and is compiled by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. The locations highlight the results of deferred maintenance, perceived obsolescence, development pressures, and lack of funding—forces that now more than ever threaten our cultural legacy. But awareness is a powerful force, too, and can cultivate a renewed determination to be responsible stewards of our heritage. For more information, visit the AHC or the ATHP websites. Alabama Heritage is proud to bring to you a selection of the places designated as perilous. Please keep your comments to information relevant to the featured place in peril. Alabama Heritage reserves the right to delete any comment that we deem inappropriate.

Places in Peril Home

Historic Iron and Steel Truss Bridges, Statewide (Places in Peril 2007)

Old Bibb County Jail, Centreville, Bibb County, 1910 (Places in Peril 2007)

Aircraft Hangar at Gragg Field Historic District, Clanton, Chilton County, 1937 (Places in Peril 2007)

Old Church of the Epiphany, Guntersville, Marshall County, 1917-18 (Places in Peril 2007)

Winterboro High School, Winterboro, Talladega County, 1927 (Places in Peril 2007)

Alabama's Endangered Historic Landmarks﻿

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Alabama's Endangered Historic Landmarks