Public History Commons^™

"Lauderdale County Named For War Of 1812 Hero", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

As the article's title suggests, Lauderdale County, Alabama was named after a veteran of the War of 1812 named Lieutenant Colonel James Lauderdale. The article offers a brief historical overview of the colonel.

"Man Buried Underneath Tennessee Street", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article relates the brief narrative of local outlaw, "Mountain" Tom Clark, who is buried beneath Tennessee Street in Florence, Alabama.

"Green Hill", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The community of Greenhill in Lauderdale County, Alabama was named after Captain Green Berry Hill. The article relates a brief history of the community and its industries. In celebration of Green Hill's heritage, a historical marker honoring the industry of the Kennedy Gun Factory was unveiled with McDonald's delivery of the information. Information on the historical marker can be accessed here.

"The Forks Of Cypress", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article is organized by headings and is concerned with the Forks of Cypress, James Jackson family, and thoroughbred horses. The headings are as follows:

• The Forks of Cypress, pg. 1
• The Plantation and Manor House, pg. 1
• James and Sarah Moore Jackson, pg. 1
• The Thoroughbred Farm, pg. 3
• James Jackson's Training Watch, pg. 4
• The Currier & Ives Prints and the Copy of the Historic Painting of the World Famous Glencoe, pg. 4

"History Of Wildwood Park", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief overview of the history of one of Florence, Alabama's oldest parks, Wildwood.

"The Merchant Prince", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article gives an overview of the life of Richard Rapier, who McDonald refers to as "the merchant prince," one of the most prominent businessmen in 19th Century Florence, Alabama and his descendants. Rapier's exploitation of Suson, an enslaved woman, resulted in several children. Rapier's grandson, by way of his son John, James Rapier was elected to the US House of Representatives during Reconstruction.

"The Historic Indians Of Alabama And The Muscle Shoals", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article presents a brief overview of the indigenous people who dwelt in Alabama and the Muscle Shoals region of the Tennessee River Valley. The article's content is organized by headings as follows:

• The Early Indians in Alabama, pg. 1
• The Alabamas, pg. 1
• Choctaws, pg. 2
• The Creek Nation, pg. 2
• Cherokees, pg. 3
• Chickasaw, pg. 4

"A Jewish Merchant Who Helped Rescue A Christian Church", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

During the Great Depression, the first United Methodist Church of East Florence, Alabama was at risk of being sold. However, local merchant, Louis B. Rosenbaum aided in the negotiation of the mortgage and ultimately ensured the community retained the church.

"The Mysterious Disappearance Of Parson Dick: A Civil War Story", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Parson Dick was enslaved on the Forks of Cypress plantation in Florence, Alabama. The article relates a brief history of his life including his marriage to an unnamed woman enslaved on the nearby Woodlawn plantation, his conversion to Christianity and decision to preach, and eventual escape from slavery, which the Jacksons (his enslavers) and McDonald refer to as "his disappearance."

Student Senate Meeting Minutes September 16, 2026, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for September 16, 2026.

Una Magazine, Office Of Alumni Relations- University Of North Alabama

Documents

"50 Golden Years"-UNA Magazine, Spring 1999

"The Courtview Diary", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article offers an excerpt and overview of the diary of Sally Independence Foster, a young girl from Florence, Alabama who recorded her experiences during the Civil War. Foster lived in Courtview, now known as Rogers Hall on the campus of the University of Alabama. Additional photographs of Courtview (Rogers Hall) are available in the University Architecture and William Lindsey McDoanld Image Collections by searching the side bar located on the left.

Additional information about Sally Independence Foster, can be found in this LibGuide, the digital archival collection, or the finding aid to the physical collection.

"The Builder Of Wilson Dam", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article presents a brief overview of the people responsible for the construction of Tennessee Valley Authority Dam Number Two, later known as the Wilson Dam. The dam was designed by C. M. Hackett, while a team of engineers directed by General Lansing H. Beach oversaw the project's construction. McDonald places particular emphasis on district engineer Col. Hugh L. Cooper, "a self-educated engineer in hydroelectric energy" whom he recognizes as the "builder" of the Wilson Dam.

"Deibert Park: A Place Of Beauty And Legacy", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article discusses the history of Deibert Park and the benefactors Dr. Kirk and Lillian Deibert. The Deibert Park historical marker can be found in the national historical marker database.

McDonald recounts the history of the historic African American Posey Community that the Florence, Alabama park is located in.

"Brandon School", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The Brandon School was established in the East Florence industrial area of Florence, Alabama in 1893 as Florence's Sixth Ward School. Due to lack of funds, the school was closed before being reopened by Charles Brandon, a proponent of educational efforts among the children of factory workers of the Cherry Cotton Mill.

Photographs of the Brandon School's faculty and second and third grade classes are available in the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection.

"Building The Bridge", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

After the Civil War, the reconstruction of the Florence, Alabama railroad bridge proved vital to local commerce. William Lindsey McDonald briefly describes the ferries used prior to the construction of the bridge as well as the infrastructural significance.

"The Blockade Runner", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

During the Civil War, Mary Nail Blair of Florence, Alabama organized a secret operation to bring essential supplies into Florence and the surrounding area from behind enemy lines.

"Celts In The Valley", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The Tennessee Valley of North Alabama retains linguistic and cultural influences from the languages of its inhabitants. Scot Irish inhabitants of Celtic origin produced a dialect that McDonald claims as a "Celtic character" through tracing common regional expressions back to their roots in the original Gaelic.

"Chief Tuscumbia", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Chief Tashka Ambi, or Tashkambia, meaning "the warrior who kills," was a Chickasaw chief in North Alabama. The article offers a brief overview of Chief Tashkambia's life.

The name for the present-day city of Tuscumbia, Alabama is derived from the anglicized version of his name. The city's first name Cold Water was incorporated on December 20, 1820, then six months later it was changed to Big Spring, before retaining its present name on December 31, 1822.

"The Civil War Years At Florence And Lauderdale County", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article is organized by headings and presents a brief overview of the effects of the Civil War in Florence and Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Headings

• Gunboats at the Florence Port
• Florence Bridge over the Tennessee Burned
• Local Presbyterian Minister Sent to Union Prison
• The First Battle of Florence
• General William T. Sherman Occupies Florence
• Battle of Center Star
• Capture of the White Horse Company
• The Two Skirmishes at Four Mile Branch
• Second Battle of Florence
• Federal Cavalry Encampment Near Florence
• A Civil War Medical Center