Alabama State Capitol at Tuscaloosa, 1826-1847
Old State Capitol
Nichols, William, 1777-1853
Drawing of the Alabama State Capitol building that was located in Tuscaloosa from 1826-1845. Originally in Cahaba, the capitol was moved to Tuscaloosa because of flooding in Cahaba. The Capitol Building was designed by William Nichols, Alabama State Architect, who also designed buildings at the University of Alabama. After the Capitol was moved to Montgomery in 1845, the Capitol building was used as the Tuscaloosa Female College from 1856 until 1923 when the building burned. The remains of the Capitol building now serve as a park for the City of Tuscaloosa.
Union Furniture Company
Union Furniture Company
Union Furniture Company
1993
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Betty Slowe (Description)
Union Furniture Company
Drawing
1027
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Alabama State Capitol Building at Tuscaloosa
Old State Capitol
Nichols, William, 1777-1853
Tuscaloosa was the state capitol of Alabama from 1827 to 1846 . Originally in Cahaba,the capitol was moved to Tuscaloosa because of flooding in Cahaba. The Capitol Building was designed by William Nichols, Alabama State Architect, who also designed buildings at the University of Alabama. When the capitol was moved to Montgomery, the building housed the Alabama Central Female College from 1856 until the building burned in 1923. The foundation of the building can still be seen at Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa.
Unknown
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Drawing
540
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Alabama State Capitol Decorated for Wedding
Old State Capitol
Penick, Ladie Fonville, 1895-1986
Penick, Clifton Hewill, 1885-1952
The old Alabama State Capitol Building in Tuscaloosa was decorated for the wedding of Ladie Fonville and Clifton Penick. The Alabama State Capitol was located in Tuscaloosa from 1826 until 1847. <br /><br />The stone foundation of the capitol was laid in 1827 and work was completed in the late fall of 1829. After the seat of government was moved to Montgomery in 1847, the Tuscaloosa Capitol and its furnishing were deeded to the University of Alabama to be used for educational purposes. In 1857, the University Board of Trustees leased the building for ninety nine years to the newly formed Baptist-affiliated Alabama Central Female College. At this time, a large brick four story dormitory was constructed at the west of the building. <br /><br />The capitol building was used by the Alabama Central Female College until it was destroyed by fire on August 22, 1923 when a construction worker accidentally set it ablaze. He was soldering a piece of flashing while repairing the dome and the building caught fire. The historic building was totally destroyed by fire. In the 1930's, the site was cleared for use as a park. <br /><br />Clifton Penick was a lawyer and counsel for the board of trustees at the University of Alabama. He was part of the transaction to buy the University Club. Ladie Fonville Penick was a writer and arts supporter.
Pam and Clif Penick
October 9, 1918
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
2587
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Alvin P. DuPont, Mayor of Tuscaloosa from 1981 to 2005
Mayors
Al DuPont was mayor of Tuscaloosa from 1981 to 2005.
Although he has been an Alabama resident most of his life, Al DuPont grew up 80 miles northwest of Baton Rouge in the small town of Bunkie, Louisiana. He was raised on a farm and attended a very small school, which had a graduating class of only fifteen people.
Al DuPont entered the military after high school graduation and became a medic in the United States Army. DuPont was then stationed at camps in Pennsylvania, New York, Scotland, and England. After arriving in England, DuPont was assigned to the 104 Medical Battalion. On June 6, 1944, DuPont landed on Omaha. After surviving D-day, DuPont was wounded when an enemy shell hit a tree where he was standing. After recuperating in England, DuPont returned to fight in Europe where he was once again wounded, this time by a machine gun. For his bravery during the war he was awarded two purple hearts.
One of the hospitals he was sent to was Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa where he received skin grafts for his wounds. After being discharged from Northington, he married Susie Margaret McLeod and his attachment to the city of Tuscaloosa began to grow.
After returning from the war, Al DuPont attended Louisiana State University. Before receiving his degree from Louisiana State, DuPont decided to move to Tuscaloosa to work on the decreasing water supply in the city. DuPont received his engineering license while working on the water project. DuPont completed his course work and earned an engineering degree at the University of Alabama.
DuPont held a variety of engineering positions in the city of Tuscaloosa. Early in his career, DuPont worked as a land surveyor assisting in the mapping of Lake Nichol. Later DuPont was employed as an assistant city engineer.
DuPont decided to run for mayor in 1981. During his time as mayor DuPont states that his biggest accomplishments were bringing in such industries as Mercedes and JVC. Every term DuPont served as mayor the city had a balanced budget, which he credits to the development of new industries.
In 2005, after 24 years of serving as the mayor of Tuscaloosa, Al DuPont retired. He is still very active in the Tuscaloosa community and spends numerous hours helping others.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
600
Tuscaloosa (AL)
American LaFrance Fire Truck, circa 1925
Fire engines
Fire fighters
This old American LaFrance fire engine was in use at Tuscaloosa Fire Station No. 2 at 10th Street (now Paul W. Bryant Drive) and 14th Avenue. The fire station no longer exists at that location. In this model, the driver was on the right side.
Jemison Van de Graaff Foundation
Circa 1925
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
590
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Bob Lundell
Government
Bob Lundell was a member of the Tuscaloosa City Council in the early 2000's. He was also Chairman of the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission.
He was born November 08, 1942. He works as a financial advisor.
Brenda Harris (Description)
Photograph
747
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Bobby Howard
Government
African-American--History--Tuscaloosa
Bobby Howard is a member of the Tuscaloosa City Council.
He attended Pickens County public schools, then attained a liberal arts degree at Shelton State Community College. At Stillman College, he earned a BA degree in business administration.
Howard was a United States Marine and a Vietnam veteran. He is retired from BF Goodrich after 22 years and founder and pastor of Culver Road Church for 16 years.
City of Tuscaloosa
Brenda Harris (Description)
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
741
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Boozer for Governor
Political campaigns
Boozer, Simon Elbert, 1895-1975
Judge Elbert Boozer stands on a replica of the state capitol that he hauled around the state on a trailer to use as a backdrop for his speeches in the primary campaign for governor in 1946. He lost the election to James E. Folsom., Sr.
He was born in Hokes Bluff, Etowah County, May 28, 1895. He served as the Calhoun County Probate Judge, 1940-46. He was a director of the Anniston National Bank. He died in Anniston, Calhoun County, May 19, 1975.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
1945
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
159
Alabama
Brewer, Albert Preston, 1928 -
Governors--Alabama
Brewer, Albert Preston., 1928-
Alabama Governor Albert P. Brewer is shown in his office in Montgomery, along with (left to right) Bert Bank, Herman Hickman, Edgerton B. Harris Jr, (Brewer), Cliff Davenport, and Rep. John Culver.
Brewer had been elected lieutenant governor when Lurleen B. Wallace was elected governor in 1966. Brewer became governor of Alabama after Wallace died in office in 1968 and he served until 1971. He was succeeded by Gov. George C. Wallace.
Bert Bank, Herman Hickman and E. B. Harris Jr. were Tuscaloosa businessmen and Cliff Davenport was head of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Circa 1970
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Betty Slowe (Description)
Photograph
583
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Brookwood Volunteer Fire Fighters, 1955
Fire departments--Officials and employees
Brookwood volunteer fire fighters and tank truck in 1955.
From left to right: Cecil Brantley, Coach Bevis, unidentified, unidentified, Charles Cunningham, Clifton Yessick, Oscar Abston, Ed Simmons, and Sam Toxey.
Union Furniture Company
Union Furniture Company 2003 Calendar
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
2449
Tuscaloosa County (AL)