tuscaloosa Alabama 12/16/02c

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IMAGES From Nostalgiaville
ALABAMA- TUSCALOOSA, AL- 12/16/02

RIVER ROAD PARK

THE JACK WARNER RIVER ROAD PARK SYSTEM
Named in honor of Jonathan Westervelt "Jack" Warner, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gulf States Paper Corporation, whose commitment to preserving the beauty, heritage, and natural resources of the Tuscaloosa area has inspired many programs to provide recreational opportunities for our people.

THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
Plied for thousands of years by Indians, then by early explorers and American settlers, this river extends 169 miles from the Sipsey and Mulberry Forks near Birmingham to its confluence with the Tombigbee at Demopolis. It drains 6228 square miles of one of the world's most ancient watersheds and has 130 species of fish and many rare plants and animals.

Part of a navigable waterway system, this point is 339 river miles above Mobile. About 5 billion gallons of water flow past here each day. In the past it was designated as two rivers, the "Black Warrior" upstream and the "Warrior" downstream wince Federal funds were appropriated on a per river basis. In the Choctaw language, "Tuscaloosa" means Black Warrior.

BURNS' SHOALS
The remains of Burns' Shoals now lie nearly 40 feet underwater. This rock outcropping was the first of the shoals known as the "Falls of Tuscaloosa" and represents the "Fall Line" or contact point of the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Plateau which extends nearly 2000 miles to Canada. From here upstream the river bed is primarily rock while downstream it is sand, silt and gravel.

It was head of navigation on the river and had a primary reason for the founding of Tuscaloosa. It was later provided a solid foundation for a succession of bridges. During construction of Old Locks One, Two and Three (1888 - 1895). It was channalized to allow the passage of river traffic

BRIDGING THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
On this site in 1834, John Godwin and Horace King built the first river bridge utilizing a wooden lattice truss designed by Ithiel Town. It was damaged by a tornado in 1842, rebuilt in 1852, and destroyed by Union troops in 1865. Horace King built a new wooden bridge in 1872 that was replaced with a 3-span iron bridge in 1882. A higher bridge with a swing span was built in 1895 to allow river traffic. A drawbridgewas built in 1922. All of these bridges were approximately 600 feet long and utilized the original 1834 brick piers. In 1974 the Hugh Thomas Bridge was built slightly downstream.

HORACE KING
Born a slave in South Carolina in 1807, Horace King became a master bridge builder while working with John Godwin. With the aid of Tuscaloosan Robert Jemison, King was freed by act of the Alabama Legislature in 1846. He went on to build many bridges and other structures across the South. Revered and respected for his organizational abilities, building skills and personal integrity, he formed the King Brothers Bridge Company with his family after the Civil War. After serving two terms in the Alabama Legislature during Reconstruction, he died at LaGrange, GA in 1885. John Godwin and Horace King built the first bridge across the Black Warrior River on this site in 1834.

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN F EDDINS
Born in South Carolina in 1813, Benjamin Farrar Eddins raised and led a company of volunteers that served in the 41st Alabama Infantry Regiment. Retired due to ill health, he returned to lead the Home Guards, a militia made up of old men and young boys. While trying to render the covered bridge impassable to Federal troops on the night of April 3, 1865, he and15 year old John Carson were wounded in a skirmish with Croxton's Raiders. Later that evening, Mayor Obediah Berry and Catholic priest William McDonough surrendered the city on this site. Carson was disabled for life. On April 10, 1865, Captain Eddins became the only local citizen to die defending the city. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

NAVIGATION AND SHIPBUILDING ON THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER
Navigation improvements to the Black Warrior River (1888 -1895) spurred marine commerce throughout the 20th century. Local ship-builders included the Perkins Brothers, Herman & Son, Corps of Engineers Boatyard, and Baker Towboat. Vessel types included barges, government workboats and towboats. Some of the boats built here were the Black Warrior, Dixie, Gold Bug, Mary, Nelma and R G Parker. Numerous navigation companies served the area. Six had terminals on the river between Tuscaloosa and holt in the 1930's. Companies based here included Findlay Towing, Perkins Towboat and Parker Towing.

TUSCALOOSA LANDING
Tuscaloosa's first port developed on the south side of the river just downstream of the present bridge. In 1816 John Click brought goods up-river to this landing while Isaac Cannon made a 36 day trip to Mobile in a 40 foot dugout canoe. Commercial barges built by Colonel Gabriel Penn in 1817 made trips to St Stephens, the territorial capital. In 1818 Hiram Cochrane began building keelboats. In 1821 the "Cotton Plant" was the first steamboat arrival. A number of early industries including a tannery, cotton factories and a foundry were located in the general area. These pioneers laid a foundation for the development of Tuscaloosa and West Alabama. Construction of Oliver Lock and Dam flooded this landing in 1939.

THE WARRIOR - TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY
From 1887 - 1915, seventeen locks and dams were constructed on the Warrior - Tombigbee Rivers. The first 3 were built on the fall line in Tuscaloosa. This was the site of No. 3, later No. 12. The Warrior - Tombigbee Development Association, founded in Tuscaloosa in 1950 by leaders from Birmingham, Mobile and Tuscaloosa, led the effort to modernize the waterway. Six modern locks and dams, replacing the original 17, have been built by the U S Army Corps of Engineers between Mobile and Port Birmingham, providing efficient navigation, flood control, recreation and hydropower. As a result of the Association's efforts barge tow travel time was cut in half and the size of payloads tripled. Erected May 19, 2000 as the Warrior - Tombigbee Waterway Association celebrated its 50th anniversary.

FIRST PAPERMAKING IN ALABAMA
Gulf States Paper Corporation (3/4 mile Northeast) began production in April 1929 to introduce the modern pulp and paper industry to Alabama. Based on the state's fast-growing forests, paper became a major Alabama industry. The Tuscaloosa Paper Company made Alabama's first paper from rags in 1949 at a small mill at the foot of River Hill (3-1/2 miles West). No connection with today's wood pulp industry, this early plant operated only a few years.

SITE OF QUEEN CITY PARK SOFTBALL FIELD
1936 - 1967. Built on this site in 1936, Queen City Park Softball Field served as the cornerstone for the first successful community effort to promote the organized play of amateur softball in Tuscaloosa County. Its construction followed nationwide efforts to organize softball in 1933. Soon thereafter, Tuscaloosa men's and women's softball teams emerged as state and national powers, and the sport itself gained recognition as true wholesome family recreation.

CENTENNIAL OF WOMEN
1893 - 1993. In 1892, Julia Strudwick Tutwiler petitioned the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama to accept female students into the all-male student body. Admitted in 1893 Anna Adams and Bessie Parker became the first female students. Since then, many female graduates have made great strides for women and society in the areas of personal life, professional achievement, and community service. In 1993, a group of female campus leaders recognized thirty-one of the University outstanding alumnae by planting trees in their honor on this site. These alumnae represent a rich diversity of achievements on the community, state, and national levels. Their names appear on the reverse side of this plaque. On the Centennial anniversary of women at the Capstone, the women of this University celebrate the struggles, victories, and accomplishments of their distinguished forerunners. October Glory Maple Trees placed by Fourth Order of the XXXI.

CAPITOL PARK in TUSCALOOSA

CAPITOL PARK CENTER
Founded in 1977 and further developed in 1985 by Robert C Tanner, Jay F Guin, Bruce P Ely, Kim D Ingram, Howard W Neiswender, D W Wilson, Bert M Guy.

Was developed through the generosity of J Clemson and Susie B Duckworth. whose commitment to the preservation of Tuscaloosa's heritage is showcased in this historic park. Dedicated 1902.

Developed through the generosity of J Clemson and Susie B Duckworth whose commitment to the preservation of Tuscaloosa's heritage is showcased in this historic park, 1992.

THE OLD TAVERN
Built in 1827 three blocks east on Broad Street. Stage stop and inn frequented by many political leaders while Tuscaloosa was State Capital. Moved to Capitol Park, 1966. 2800 28th Avenue. The Old Tavern has been a fixture in downtown Tuscaloosa since the time of the capital era. Innkeeper William Dunton built the structure in 1827 three blocks from its current site as a tavern and hotel on the stagecoach route that passed through Tuscaloosa. One of the few remaining nineteenth century inns in the state, the Old Tavern provides visitors with a rare glimpse of early Tuscaloosa commercial architecture. During its operation as a hostelry, it served as the temporary home and meeting place of legislators, Confederate soldiers and countless people traveling to or through the city. Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society acquired it in 1954, relocated it and began much needed restoration. Today the Old Tavern is a museum show casing the early history of Tuscaloosa County and served as the headquarters for the Preservation Society.

ALABAMA CENTRAL FEMALE COLLEGE
After the seat of government was moved to Montgomery in 1847, the Tuscaloosa Capitol and its furnishing were deeded to the University of Alabama to be used for educational purposes. In 1857, the University Board of Trustees leased the building for ninety nine years to the newly formed Baptist-affiliated Alabama Central Female College. At this time, a large brick four story dormitory was constructed at the west of the building. On August 22, 1923, the historic building was totally destroyed by fire. In the 1930's, the site was cleared for use as a park.

MASONS MARKS
To identify their work masons often carved special marks into the bottom, sides, or back of stones. Their supervisors were thus able to distinguish between the quality and quantity of each mason's work. Blocks for the building were quarried from local sandstone from the banks of the nearby Black Warrior River. Over a dozen different masons marks and directional signs appear throughout the ruins. Such identifying marks had been used by stone masons since the European Middle Ages.

A TRIBUTE to PAST GOVERNORS of ALABAMA - Plaques found in Capitol Park

JOSHUA L MARTIN
Governor 1845 - 1847. He presided over the transfer of the capital from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery in 1847. When the United States invaded Mexico. Alabamians readily joined the fight, just as they would in 1861.

BENJAMIN FITZPATRICK
Governor 1841 - 1845. He oversaw the closing of the unstable State Bank. In 1845 the legislature amended the constitution to allow the removal of the capital from Tuscaloosa. The growing wealth and population of the Black Belt brought the seat of government to Montgomery.

ARTHUR P BAGBY
Governor 1837 - 1841. He inherited the financial woes brought on by the collapse of the "Plush Times". Despite chaotic banking conditions during the Panic of 1837, chancery courts and a penitentiary system were both created, and Alabama settled its boundary dispute with Georgia.

HUGH McVAY
Governor 1837. As president of the state senate, he became governor when Clay resigned to succeed Gabriel Moore in the U S Senate. He continued in office for only four months.

CLEMENT COMER CLAY
Governor 1835 - 1837. He served during Alabama's years of great popularity known as the "Plush Times," With the economy booming, the legislature abolished all state taxes.

JOHN GAYLE
Governor 1831 - 1835. He extended state laws into Indian lands and actively encouraged illegal white settlement there. A treaty with the Creek Indians in 1832 forced them to leave the state and resulted in nine new counties in east Alabama. Their "Trail of Tears" took the Indians through Tuscaloosa.

SAMUEL B MOORE
Governor 1831. As President of the state senate, he briefly served as Governor when Gabrial Moore resigned to serve in the U S Senate.

GABRIEL MOORE
Governor 1829 - 1831. During his term our state moved from frontier to urbanity. The University of Alabama was officially opened. Construction was begun on our first canals and railroads, supplementing existing steamboats and unpaved roads. The Choctaws exchanged their territory in West Alabama for lands west of the Mississippi.

JOHN MURPHY
Governor 1825 - 1829. He initiated construction of the Capital, the University of Alabama, and the State Bank. The legislature passed laws, known as slave codes, to severely restrict the rights of slaves, while citizens began to press for the removal of Alabama's remaining Indians.

OLIVER DAM ON THE BLACK WARRIOR RIVER - TUSCALOOSA