Save Tuscaloosa History by Clara L. Verner

Save Tuscaloosa History by Clara Verner pg1371.jpg
Save Tuscaloosa History by Clara Verner pg2372.jpg
Save Tuscaloosa History by Clara Verner pg3373.jpg

Title

Save Tuscaloosa History by Clara L. Verner

Subject

Tuscaloosa History
Verner, Clara Louise, 1882-1967

Description

A written account of Tuscaloosa's History by noted educator Clara Verner

Creator

Clara L. Verner

Source

Tuscaloosa Public Library

Date

1938

Contributor

Tuscaloosa Public Library

Type

Document

Identifier

2047

Coverage

Tuscaloosa (AL)

Text

In May, 1916, Tuscaloosa celebrated, with fitting pomp and ceremony, its one hundredth anniversary. Last May it might have observed the centennial of its coming of age, since it will complete within the next few weeks its one hundred twenty-second year.

While some enchanting vistas will remain to remind us "There is a healing in old trees, old streets a glamour held," the general atmosphere in Tuscaloosa is that of a community which, though not wholly unmindful of an interesting and honorable past, is chiefly concerned with the practical problems of its present and its future. "Planning, wrecking, building, breaking, rebuilding," are as characteristic of any growing town as of Sandburg's "Chicago." Such practical problems are immediate and urgent and must be met. Progress and sometimes existence itself, depend on their solution. Some communities, however, have found it possible to make necessary provisions for expansion and at the same time preserve their historic atmosphere.
Tuscaloosa's early history was colorful and dramatic. Between 1816 and 1826 it moved rapidly from the status of Indian village to that of a frontier out post, from frontier out post to capitol city of a new state. Within half a dozen years more, it became also the seat of the state university.

The wealth and taste of its builders are attested by the stately homes and imposing public buildings inherited from them by the present generation, of fifty antebellum homes listed by experts as the finest examples of that type of architecture in the United States, two are to be found on the campus of the University of Alabama. These are the Gorgas Home and the President's Mansion.
A few places of historic importance in our community have been marked. Brief mention of five of the best known of these follows. A huge boulder in front of the courthouse memorializes the Indian Chief Tushkalusa. Another in Capital Park marks the location of the old capitol building. A third on the university campus commemorates the heroism of the cadets of that institution during Croxton's Civil War Raid. A framed certificate stating that the house in every way, historically, architecturally, worthy of preservation, hangs in the living room of the G.K. Little home, formerly occupied by LaFayette Guild, Surgeon general on the staff of Robert E. Lee. A tablet on an outer wall of the Gorgas home sets forth its historic significance.
These are, of course, not the only places in our community of sufficient interest to deserve markers. There are many others. Space permits mention of only a few.

One such is the site of the Indian village of Tushkalusa, the Black Warrior's town, located according to Mr. Matt Clinton, on the Alden Snow place on Sanders Ferry Road.
Sites of several schools, once important in the life of the town and the state, whose buildings have disappeared in the course of years should be marked. These locations are known to fewer and fewer of our local citizens each year. Yet the schools are still being held in affection and their memory revered by former students and their children. Notable among these are Tuscaloosa Female College and Alabama Central College.

Antebellum homes worthy of this distinction are too numerous for even a brief mention of them all. A list complete with annotations may be had from the chamber of commerce. Included, to mention just a few, are three "governor's mansions"; the Drish place, with its century old ghost story; the Van de Graaf home, with his secret passageway; and the home of two poets of more than regional fame.

On the campus, the President's Mansion, the Round House, and the Observatory are still unmarked. All are of architectural merit as well as historic interest.
Because of cherished memories associated with the Gorgas Home, the Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs has taken as an objective securing the endowment necessary to make it a shrine, Mrs. H.D. Warner being chairman of the committee in charge. In the hands of so capable and so charming an executive, the project is sure to be advanced with the energy and finess for which she is well known.

A similar development of Tuscaloosa's other points of historic interest might do for the town something of the same sort that has been accomplished on a larger scale in Charleston, Mobile, New Orleans, Natches,-- and nearer home, in Columbus. This need not jeopardize her place among the progressive cities of our region, but might, on the other hand, enable her to escape the monotony of standardization that sometimes afflicts communities of the purely "go-getter" type.