Public History Commons^™

"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

"Early Times Around Muscle Shoals City", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A paper presented to the Muscle Shoals City Kiwanis Club on March 14, 1963, about the establishment of the city of Muscle Shoals. The article includes mention of the indigenous tribes that dwelt in the area as well as the Marion Land Company and associated figures which advertised lots in 1819.

"The Early Beginnings Of Weeden Heights", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Weeden Heights, a subdivision development east of Florence, Alabama on Old Huntsville Road, was named for John D. Weeden Jr. The origins of the development are briefly discussed in the article.

"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.

"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.

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.

George W. Polk To Charles P. Jackson - Correspondence, George W. Polk

Correspondence

Correspondence from George W. Polk to Charles P. Jackson concerning their ancestral connection to James Jackson and the Forks of Cypress, as well as their "Uncle Harry," Admiral Richard Harrison Jackson.

Transcription

George W. Polk to Charles P. Jackson – Correspondence (Envelope + 3 pages) Date stamped: SPRING VALLEY, CALIF., APR 6 PM 1969; addressed to Mr. Charles P. Jackson, 2945 Balmoral Rd, Birmingham, Ala. 35223.

--- Page 1 ---

George W. Polk 9745 La Mar St. Spring Valley, Calif., 92077 5 April '69

Mr. Charles P. Jackson

Birmingham, Ala.

Dear Mr. Jackson,

I have been asked to write you …

Admiral Richard Harrison Jackson To Charles Jackson - Correspondence, Richard Harrison Jackson

Correspondence

Correspondence from Admiral Richard Harrison Jackson to his nephew Charles Jackson discussing the Forks of Cypress and original Jackson Family portraits. The transcription and additional materials also include a note sent to William Lindsey McDonald regarding the letters on the last page. The transcription retains the quality of the original document, including any grammatical or spelling errors.

Transcription

Admiral Richard Harrison Jackson Correspondence (October 7 and 16, 1950)

--- Page 1 ---

[Envelope]

CORONADO, CALIF.

UNITED STATES POSTAGE

OCT 16,1950 4:30PM

MR CHARLES P. JACKSON

311 BERKLEY PLACE

BIRMINGHAM ALA

--- Page 2 ---

504 GLORIETTA BOULEVARD

CORONADO CALOF.

7 …

"World War I Memorials", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Explanation of the World War I Memorials in North Alabama (Lauderdale County), including the Memorial Amphitheatre on the campus on the University of North Alabama.

The document includes two pages. However, both pages are remarkably similar and appear to be subsequent drafts of the same article.

Digitized images of the Memorial Amphitheatre are available in the University Architecture Collection To access the images, click the link, and use the search bar, located on the left side of the screen, to search the collection. In addition, an illustration of the design for the memorial amphitheater is accessible in the William Lindsey …

"Yellow Fever Epidemic", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Draft of text for the historical marker in Tuscumbia, Alabama honoring those who died of the yellow fever epidemic in the fall of 1878.

The current historical marker for the yellow fever epidemic in Tuscumbia can be viewed on the Historical Marker Database.

"Wilson Park", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Article about the creation and naming of Wilson Park, originally called the Town Walk, in Florence, Alabama.

"A Yankee Patient At Pope's Tavern", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article relates the story of Private Oglvie E. Hamblin, a union soldier and one of the last patients to be treated at Pope's Tavern when it served as a Civil War hospital.

"The Yankee Connection", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article summarizes the impact of the Negley family in North Alabama, including the construction of the Negley Hotel.

Union Brigadier General, James Scott Negley entered North Alabama on May 13, 1862, and through a series of skirmishes began to occupy Florence. Later, his relative, Major Albert Gallatin Negley arrived in East Florence, Alabama in response to the industrial boom.

"Wesleyan Hall, An Alabama Landmark", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A history of Wesleyan Hall, on the Campus on the University of North Alabama.

Digitized images of Wesleyan Hall are accessible in the University Architecture Collection and William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection. To find the images, simply click on a collection link, and use the search bar, located on the left side, to search for the images.

"Robert Pain And The Legacy Of Leadership", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Robert Paine was the first president of LaGrange College, the earliest predecessor of the University of North Alabama. The article gives a brief overview of Paine's leadership.

"T.S. Stribling" And "T.S. Stribling's Ties To Lauderdale County", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The articles offer an overview of Pulitzer-prize winning author and Florence Normal College alum T.S. Stribling, as well as his connections to Lauderdale County, Alabama.

"The Story Of The Shawnees At The Muscle Shoals", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief overview of the Shawnees in Northwest Alabama.