History Commons^™

"The Early Development Of Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The city of Florence, Alabama was officially founded on March 12th, 1818, with the signing of the Articles of Agreement in Huntsville, Alabama. The article briefly discusses the founding of the city, including the impact of Generals Andrew Jackson and John Coffee, as well as the development of integral roads, such as Circular and Military Road.

"The Early History Of Lauderdale County", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Lauderdale County was created as one of eight county governments on February 6, 1818, making it approximately one year older than the state of Alabama. The article discusses the early founding of the county, including setter encounters with indigenous people and conflicts.

"Florence Wagon Works", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In 1889, the Atlanta Wagon Works relocated their plant to Florence, Alabama in order to be able to access the timber of the Appalachian foothills. The article offers an overview of the Florence Wagon Works and the impact of the industry.

"Florence Wesleyan University: 1855-1872", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A paper presented by William Lindsey McDonald, Conference Historian, at the North Alabama Conference for the United Methodist Church about Florence Wesleyan University, one of the earliest predecessors of the University of North Alabama. Prior to discussing Florence Wesleyan University, the paper also discusses the history of the earliest iteration of the university LaGrange College.

"Florence's First Mayor", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article briefly discusses the significance of Alexander Hamilton Wood, the first mayor of Florence, Alabama.

"The Canal Building Genius", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

George Washington Goethals, the engineer who constructed the Panama Canal, was also employed to construct the Muscle Shoals Canal in North Alabama. During the construction of the canal, Goethals lived on Wood Avenue near the University of North Alabama. Multiple historical markers commemorating Goethals' time in North Alabama exist, including the one designating his home, the Florence Walk of Honor, and his mention on the Muscle Shoals Canal Marker.

"The Course Of The Tennessee River", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article describes the usual course of the Tennessee River and various geological theories for the direction of its course. In addition, it explores the specific geomorphology of the Muscle Shoals and its impact on North Alabama.

"Eliza Coffee Whose Name Is Memorialized By A Hospital", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article serves as a brief biographical sketch of Eliza Coffee, whom the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama memorializes.

"Dr. E. B. Norton", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article offers a brief biography of Dr. E.B. Norton president of Florence State Teachers College, a precursor to the University of North Alabama.

"Florence: An Early Cotton Mill Town", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In the antebellum period and early years of the Civil War, Florence, Alabama was a leading center for the textile industry with five cotton mills, including the prominent Cypress Mills. The article gives an overview of the impact of mills in and around the area.

A lithograph fragment of Cypress Mill is available in the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection. Other images of mills can be found by searching "mills" in the left sidebar.

Archives As Activism: Using Cuny Archives To Examine And Analyze Social Change, Marci Littlefield

Open Educational Resources

Archives as Activism uses CUNY archival materials to help students examine the relationship between activism, social issues and social change. Students will analyze primary sources such as flyers, newsletters, photographs, student newspapers, and institutional documents and connect them to contemporary social issues. CUNY’s history of activism around, race, gender, educational access, women’s organizing and institutional power provides students with an opportunity to investigate questions about power, collective action, intersectionality and social change.

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.

Alexander Hamilton Wood: Florence's First Mayor, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Correspondence

Email correspondence between William L. McDonald and former Florence, Alabama Mayor Eddie Frost concerning the suggested text on the Alexander Hamilton Wood Historical marker at the dedication service proposed for March 1, 1998, at 2:30 pm.

View Alexander Hamilton Wood's mention as the first mayor of Florence on the Founding of Florence Historical Marker.

"A Brief History Of Florence, Alabama", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief history of Florence, Alabama from its origins with the Cypress Land Company on March 12, 1818. McDonald highlights the industrialization of East Florence and notable residents, including four Alabama governors, Dred Scott, members of the US House of Representatives, and W.C. Handy the Father of the Blues.

"A Brief History Of The Florence Harbor", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief overview of the Florence, Alabama Harbor's history delivered by William Lindsey McDonald at the dedication of the Florence Harbor on Thursday, May 6, 1999. The information is divided into sections, as follows:

• The Tennessee River
• Florence Was Established as a River Town
• The Florence Port
• Steamboat Days
• The End of an Era
• The Singing River Will Sing a New Song

Art Beyond Magnolias And Pillared Porticoes, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article is a reflection on antebellum portrait painters, including those associated with the Forks of Cypress, such as Edward Troye, Thomas Sully, Sr., and William Frye. Notably, Troye created a portrait of Parson Dick, an enslaved blacksmith at the Forks of Cypress. The Parson Dick portrait is on display at Pope's Tavern Museum in Florence, AL and visible on their website. Additionally, portraits include those of the James Jackson and Sarah Moore Jackson, and the Jackson racehorses.

Newsclipping, Does Your Chin Line Suggest Age?

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Advertisement for Dorothy Gray Preparations available at Gayfer's Toilet Goods Department. Undated. 

Newsclipping, ...Could Erase Our Beggar Status

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding politics, presidents, and color prejudice. Undated.

Newsclipping, Ministers Endorse Mahalia

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News Clipping: Clipping with photograph of Miss Mahalia Jackson shaking hands with Reverend V. S. Gregg, at the Baptist Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity. Also in photograph, left to right: Reverend Walter H. Anderson, Miss Mahalia Jackson, Reverend W. L. Bentley, Reverend V.S. Gregg, and Miss Mildred Falla. Undated.

Newsclipping, A Mother Who Adds Glory To Mothers Of All

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding Mrs. A. E. Barrow being awarded "Mother of the Year" by the Oklahoma American Mothers' Committee, Golden Rule Foundation. Undated.

Newsclipping, Memory Of Former Clerk Is Honored By Supreme Court

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding the memorial for the former clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida, G.T. Whitfield. Florida Times-Union.  Undated.

Newsclipping, Little Sisters Feast Day Held At Home For Aged

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the 85th annual open house of the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged held on the feast day of St. Joseph, patron saint of the Home. Includes an image of 79-year-old Lydia Nicholas sitting in a wheelchair, playing the piano at the Little Sisters of the Poor open house, Sister Maethilda listening. Undated.

Newsclipping, Voting Set Today On School Issues

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the polling place open for voting on a referendum that could revise the school system. Undated.

Newsclipping, Fascist Wisdom

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Partial article regarding fascism. Undated.

Newsclipping, Article Fragment

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article fragment that mentions Dr. George Washington Carver of Tuskegee, Dr. Robert R Moton, president of Tuskegee, Dr. J. R. E. Lee, head of the Florida A. & M. College at Tallahassee, Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee. The article also mentions Bethune-Cookman at Daytona Beach. Undated.

Newsclipping, Why Don't More Negroes Become Lawyers?

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News Clipping: Partial article references data given to the reporter by the acting dean of Howard University School of Law, William W. Taylor. Undated.

Newsclipping, Rules Outlined "Woman Of The Year"

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding guidelines for Jacksonville citizens preparing to nominate people for the Woman of the Year award based on accomplishments from 1948. Award sponsored by Cohen Brothers. Undated.

Newsclipping, Duval Grand Jury Called Next Friday

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding the Duval County Grand Jury reconvening, looking into "alleged school irregularities". The probe looked into rumors that some teachers were "required" to make payments to secure job placements. Undated.

Newsclipping, Keep Up The Fight

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: United States Representative Arthur W. Mitchell of Illinois, the only Black American in Congress, announced requesting a re-hearing of the Mitchell versus Rock Island Arkansas before the Interstate Commerce Commission. Undated.

Newsclipping, Disabled Workers Want Jobs And Not Pity

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: Article regarding industry overlooking disabled and older workers as valuable manpower. Undated.