Alston Building, circa 1915
Dirt roads
The Alston Building is located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Greensboro Avenue and Sixth Street. It was completed in 1910 on the site of the old Tuscaloosa County courthouse, which had stood there since 1845. The Alston Building was the city’s first “skyscraper”, and was originally regarded as the tallest building on a dirt street in America. At the time of this view the building was surmounted by a huge lighted sign “Try Tuscaloosa”, the slogan of the Tuscaloosa Board of Trade, later to become the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the sign, the building was topped by a lighted garden which was the scene of many social events.
Personal Collection of Jason Townsend
Circa 1915
Whitney Telle (Description)
Postcard
34
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Alston-Raiford Furniture Company, circa 1900
Buildings
Stores, Retail
McCalla-Wyman Building
The McCalla-Wyman Building on what is now University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa housed the Alston-Raiford Store at the time of this photo. Among the items available at the store were housewares, pianos, sewing machines, stoves, rugs and trunks.
Half of the building burned at some point.
Fred's discount store occupied the space for many years, moving out in 2007. The building was bought by Philip Weaver who is currently (2013) renovating and restoring the building, with plans for two commercial tenants on the first floor with five loft apartments above. Weaver plans to renovate the building so that it looks as it did 100 years ago. Weaver plans to call the building the Weaver-McCalla Building.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Circa 1900
Betty Slowe (Description)
Postcard
890
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Alston-Raiford Furniture Company Advertisement, 1910
Furniture showrooms
An advertisement for the Alston-Raiford Furniture Company found in the 1910 Corolla, the University of Alabama's yearbook.
The furniture store was located in the McCalla-Wyman Building on Broad Street, now known as University Boulevard.
Alston-Raiford Furniture Company
The Corolla
The University of Alabama
1910
Paul W. Bryant Museum
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1165
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Auto-Rite Gas Station, circa 1961
Automobiles
The Auto-Rite Shell Service Station was on the corner of Greensboro Avenue and Ninth Street in Tuscaloosa at a site occupied in 2015 by an addition to the United Methodist Church.
Auto-Rite was owned by J.R. Moman and sold to Floyd Turner. A 1953 or 54 Chevrolet Bel Air is on the left. On the right is Turner's 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline.
Tuscaloosa resident Charles McAteer now owns Turner's car. An antique car buff, McAteer had always wanted a 1948 model, having ridden in Turner's immaculate vehicle many times when he worked at the service station after high school. Many years later, he happened upon a 1948 model, much in need of repair, but the paperwork showed that it was the very car he had coveted as a young man. The bill of sale was made out to Floyd Turner. McAteer is restoring the vehicle.
Personal Collection of Reggie Harris
Circa 1961
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
1260
Tuscaloosa (AL)
The 'Bama Orange Mill Advertisement, 1925
Novelties
Tobacco products
Candies
Advertisement for The 'Bama Orange Mill found in the 1925 Corolla, the University of Alabama yearbook. In addition to "the most healthful drink obtainable," novelties, candies, cigars and cigarettes were available with a "shine parlor in the rear".
The Corolla, v. 32, 1925
The 'Bama Orange Mill
The Corolla
The University of Alabama
1925
Paul W. Bryant Museum
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1170
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Banks Quarles Plumbing, 1925
Plumbers
Quarles, Banks W.
Quarles, Will
Brown, Dan
Quarles, P. B.
This picture was taken in 1925 in front of the original Banks Quarles Plumbing building, located on 13th street near the University of Alabama. From left to right are Mrs. McCarty, Dan Brown, Banks Quarles, Mr. Olive, Will Quarles and P.B. Quarles.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
1925
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
355
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Barksdale and Sons Dry Cleaners, 2223 8th Street
Dry cleaning
Floods
Taken on July 4, 1952, the photo shows a flooded area at the intersection of 8th Street and 23rd Avenue in Tuscaloosa. In the background is Barksdale and Sons Dry Cleaners at 2223 8th Street owned by E. Rush Barksdale, Jesse M. Barksdale and Leonard A. Barksdale. The building still stands and is the office of Thigpen & Thigpen LLC. To the right of Barksdale Dry Cleaners is the Tea Pot Dome Service Station.
James Baughman
James Baughman
July 4, 1952
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
2436
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Barnes Advertisement, 1920
Soda fountains
Advertisement for Barnes found in the 1920 Corolla, the University of Alabama yearbook. Barnes claims to be "the originator of milkshakes" and the exclusive seller of "okras".
The Corolla, v. 27, 1920
Barnes
The Corolla
The University of Alabama
1920
Paul W. Bryant Museum
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1168
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Black's, The College Shop Advertisement, 1920
Clothier
Men's clothing
Advertisement for Black's, The College Shop, found in the 1920 Corolla, the University of Alabama yearbook. "Society Brand Clothes" sold. "Your college career will be pleasantly checkered with this shop."
The Corolla, v. 27, 1920
Black's
The Corolla
The University of Alabama
1920
Paul W. Bryant Museum
Advertisement
1167
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Blacks, The College Shop Advertisement, 1925
Clothier
Men's clothing
Advertisement for Blacks, The College Shop of the South, found in the 1925 Corolla, the University of Alabama yearbook. Their motto was "If it's from Blacks it's collegiate".
Black's
The Corolla
The University of Alabama
1925
Paul W. Bryant Museum
Advertisement
1169
Tuscaloosa (AL)