Title
Horace King, 1807-1885
Subject
Bridges
King, Horace, 1807-1885
King, Seth
Description
A historic marker erected on the banks of the Black Warrior River near the Hugh Thomas Bridge in Tuscaloosa reads:
"Born a slave in South Carolina in 1807, Horace King became a master bridge builder while working with John Godwin. With the aid of Tuscaloosan Robert Jemison, King was freed by act of the Alabama legislature in 1846. He went on to build many bridges and other structures across the South. Revered and respected for this organizational abilities, building skills and personal integrity, he formed the King Brothers Bridge Company with his family after the Civil War. After serving two terms in the Alabama legislature during Reconstruction, he died at LaGrange, GA, in 1885. John Godwin and Horace King built the first bridge across the Black Warrior River on this site in 1834. Alabama Historical Association."
However, it was discovered that it was Seth King, not Horace King, who built the first bridge across the Black Warrior. It was financed by Robert Jemison Jr. and Jemison charged a toll to users. The first bridge was burned by Croxton's raiders and it was rebuilt by Horace King in 1872.
"Born a slave in South Carolina in 1807, Horace King became a master bridge builder while working with John Godwin. With the aid of Tuscaloosan Robert Jemison, King was freed by act of the Alabama legislature in 1846. He went on to build many bridges and other structures across the South. Revered and respected for this organizational abilities, building skills and personal integrity, he formed the King Brothers Bridge Company with his family after the Civil War. After serving two terms in the Alabama legislature during Reconstruction, he died at LaGrange, GA, in 1885. John Godwin and Horace King built the first bridge across the Black Warrior River on this site in 1834. Alabama Historical Association."
However, it was discovered that it was Seth King, not Horace King, who built the first bridge across the Black Warrior. It was financed by Robert Jemison Jr. and Jemison charged a toll to users. The first bridge was burned by Croxton's raiders and it was rebuilt by Horace King in 1872.
Source
Betty Slowe
Date
April 12, 2017
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
2341
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph