"A Renowned Slave In The Early Life Of Florence",
2026
University of North Alabama
"A Renowned Slave In The Early Life Of Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
Dred Scott, the plaintiff in Dred Scott v. Sanford, was a confirmed resident of Florence, Alabama in the 1820s-1830s. The article gives an overview of Dred Scott's life, including his time in Lauderdale County.
Restoration Of Cannon Cemetery,
2026
University of North Alabama
Restoration Of Cannon Cemetery, William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
The article discusses the restoration of the Cannon Cemetery near the Natchez Trace Overpass on Waterloo Road. Among the individuals buried at the cemetery are the grandparents of Pulitzer-prize winning author and Florence Normal School (predecessor to the University of North Alabama) alum T.S. Stribling's grandparent's James and Lydia Waits.
"Salt Cave On The Doublehead Reserve",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Salt Cave On The Doublehead Reserve", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
A salt cave located on the previous site of the Chief Doublehead Reserve and current location of Lauderdale County, Alabama is now covered by the backwaters of the Wheeler Dam. The article discusses the oral history and local folklore related to the cave.
"The United States Post Office And Courthouse At Florence",
2026
University of North Alabama
"The United States Post Office And Courthouse At Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
Brief depiction of the architecture of the Florence, Alabama Post Office and Courthouse Building and the heritage of the architect that designed it, John Robie Kennedy, Jr. Images of the Florence Post Office and Courthouse can be accessed at the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection. To find the images, simply search the gallery via the search bar located on the left side.
"A Visit With Abraham Lincoln",
2026
University of North Alabama
"A Visit With Abraham Lincoln", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
In 1864, a woman from Killen, Alabama, Helen Hamm, was visited by President Abraham Lincoln. William Lindsey McDonald recounts the event.
"The View From Old Lagrange",
2026
University of North Alabama
"The View From Old Lagrange", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
A brief history of LaGrange Mountain and LaGrange College, the precursor to the University of North Alabama.
"The Remarkable Miss Lulie Jones",
2026
University of North Alabama
"The Remarkable Miss Lulie Jones", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
Short biography of local humanitarian Lulie Jones, who organized the free kindergarten that became known as Maud Lindsay's Free Kindergarten.
"State's First Black Church Was Started By Lightfoot",
2026
University of North Alabama
"State's First Black Church Was Started By Lightfoot", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Research Articles
TimesDaily article by William Lindsey McDonald about the establishment of the first African American Church in Alabama, Church Spring and eventually the Greater Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, by the Reverend Robin Lightfoot in 1837.
"History Of The Tennessee Valley Authority",
2026
University of North Alabama
"History Of The Tennessee Valley Authority", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
Speech delivered by William Lindsey McDonald on April 13, 1978, at Cedar Grove in Knoxville, Tennessee on the history of the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). The speech begins with McDonald's personal recollections of the TVA in Muscle Shoals before broadening to its effects on the entire Tennessee River Valley.
"A Profile Of The Indians At Muscle Shoals, Alabama",
2026
University of North Alabama
"A Profile Of The Indians At Muscle Shoals, Alabama", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
An article that gives a brief overview of the indigenous people living in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, including key figures, such as Chief Doublehead and the Colbert family. The article is organized by indigenous group with subheadings, including the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Moundbuilders.
"Our Heritage From The People",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Our Heritage From The People", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
A lecture presented to a history seminar at the University of North Alabama in March of 1979. The lecture addresses the geography and geology of North Alabama, removal of indigenous people, cultural influence of settlers, and development of the Tennessee Valley into contemporary settlements.
"'Uncle' Tom Brannon And The Capture Of John A. Murrel",
2026
University of North Alabama
"'Uncle' Tom Brannon And The Capture Of John A. Murrel", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
The speech recounts the capture of outlaw John A. Murrel by Tom Brannon, who was enslaved by the Oaks Plantation in Florence, Alabama.
"Lecture - Anne Newport Royall",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Lecture - Anne Newport Royall", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
Annotated speech outline about Anne Newport Royall, America's first female traveling correspondent, who traveled to Florence, Alabama from July to December 1821 and also visited other local Alabama cities, such as Huntsville. Royall published a book in 1830 entitled Letters from Alabama about her travels throughout the state.
"Lecture At Colbert Park," “Colbert Family,” And “The Colberts And Colbert County”,
2026
University of North Alabama
"Lecture At Colbert Park," “Colbert Family,” And “The Colberts And Colbert County”, William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
The digital file is a compilation of a speech outline entitled "Lecture at Colbert Park, June 21, 1991," "Colbert Family," and an article "The Colberts and Colbert County." The nature of the typewriter ink used in the original document causes the file to be somewhat difficult to read.
“The Contributing Cultures Of Ancient Peoples At The Muscle Shoals”,
2026
University of North Alabama
“The Contributing Cultures Of Ancient Peoples At The Muscle Shoals”, William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
An article that addresses the ancient history of Muscle Shoals, Alabama with particular attention to the early cultures of influence, including indigenous tribes, such as the Cherokee and Chickasaws, and eventual European settlers of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic descent.
"Florence 175!",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Florence 175!", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
Speech given on the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of Florence's establishment on the Tennessee River by the Cypress Land Company on March 12th, 1818. The speech gives an overview of the geology and key sites in Florence, Alabama.
"General John Coffee",
2026
University of North Alabama
"General John Coffee", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
Speech outline delivered on February 22, 1999, at Coby Hall on the campus of the University of North Alabama. The speech discusses the life and accomplishments of General John Coffee one of the founders of Florence, Alabama, treasurer of the Cypress Land Company, and associate of Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812 and various other battles throughout the Southeastern United States.
"Lecture - Religions In The Shoals",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Lecture - Religions In The Shoals", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
A William McDonald annotated speech outline that details various early religions in the Shoals, Alabama from indigenous religious practitioners to the establishment of the first white and African American congregations. Faiths mentioned include Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Church of Christ, Catholicism, and Judaism.
"Local Civil War Sites",
2026
University of North Alabama
"Local Civil War Sites", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
Outline of information on Civil War sites local to Lauderdale County, Alabama, including a Confederate Fort, Civil War hospitals, Happy Hollow, the Battle of Florence site, Four-Mile Branch (the site of two skirmishes), Hood's Retreat at the Bainbridge Ferry, Cypress Cotton Mill, the Forks of Cypress Plantation, Sweetwater Plantation, the skirmish at the Widow Ann Hough's Plantation, Peter's Plantation, Center Star, and Green Hill.
"The Worst Of War",
2026
University of North Alabama
"The Worst Of War", William Lindsey Mcdonald
Writings
The article recounts a specific instance of Civil War violence exacted near Cypress Creek and Parsonage Chapel Cemetery in Lauderdale County, Alabama.
