Title
Col. Woolsey Finnell, 1866-1955
Subject
Civil engineers
Railroad engineers
Highway departments
World War I
Veterans
Probate judge
Description
Woolsey Finnell was born on October 24, 1866, in Duncanville near Tuscaloosa. He was an 1887 engineering graduate of the University of Alabama. Commissioned into the U.S. Army as a major in 1917, Finnell served in the Engineer Corps in France during World War I and achieved the rank of colonel. He was cited for meritorious service by General Pershing. He received the French decoration Legion of Honor.
Finnell served as probate judge of Tuscaloosa County from 1923 to 1927, as engineer for the city of Tuscaloosa, as state director of highways and as a civil engineer who worked for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad for 25 years.
While in the contracting business, Finnell built the sanctuary of the First Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa and the concrete reservoir for the city of Tuscaloosa’s water supply on Castle Hill. He put in the lift span of the old Warrior River drawbridge which opened in 1922 and was used for 51 years until it was closed in 1973.
When Finnell worked for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, he built the trestle over the river between Tuscaloosa and Northport. The landmark steel and wooden bridge, still in use, was once considered the longest trestle in the nation.
He was the recipient of the gold award of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. As the first Alabama resident to receive the Mason’s highest honor, Finnell accepted the award alongside J. Edgar Hoover (director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time).
Finnell is responsible for helping officially name the American Legion. One of the best known veterans’ organizations, the American Legion focuses on community efforts of patriotism and long-term health care/temporary treatment for service veterans as well as their families.
He died on Jan 26, 1955. The 4-lane bridge over the Black Warrior River on U.S. Hwy. 82 was named for him when it opened in 1961.
Finnell served as probate judge of Tuscaloosa County from 1923 to 1927, as engineer for the city of Tuscaloosa, as state director of highways and as a civil engineer who worked for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad for 25 years.
While in the contracting business, Finnell built the sanctuary of the First Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa and the concrete reservoir for the city of Tuscaloosa’s water supply on Castle Hill. He put in the lift span of the old Warrior River drawbridge which opened in 1922 and was used for 51 years until it was closed in 1973.
When Finnell worked for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, he built the trestle over the river between Tuscaloosa and Northport. The landmark steel and wooden bridge, still in use, was once considered the longest trestle in the nation.
He was the recipient of the gold award of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. As the first Alabama resident to receive the Mason’s highest honor, Finnell accepted the award alongside J. Edgar Hoover (director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time).
Finnell is responsible for helping officially name the American Legion. One of the best known veterans’ organizations, the American Legion focuses on community efforts of patriotism and long-term health care/temporary treatment for service veterans as well as their families.
He died on Jan 26, 1955. The 4-lane bridge over the Black Warrior River on U.S. Hwy. 82 was named for him when it opened in 1961.
Source
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Contributor
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
429
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
5 x 7 inches