Eden of the South a Chronology of Huntsville, Alabama 1805-2005
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Eden of the South A Chronology of Huntsville, Alabama 1805-2005 Edited by: Ranee' G. Pruitt Eden of the South . begins with the discovery of a limestone spring by settler John Hunt. In just over a century and a half, the settlement named in his honor would make worldwide headlines for research and development, earning Huntsville the name, the Space Capital of the World. But our history did not stop there! This book takes readers back to the little known incidental moments uncovered from numerous sources, as well as the amazing details behind the big events, famous people, and, more importantly, the unsung heroes. Two hundred years, a brief snapshot in time, are remembered by the people of the time. Over 700 photographs capture moments and commit them to immortality. Tragedies and triumphs, thought to be long forgotten, are recorded in one fascinating book. The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library proudly offers this publication as a fitting birthday present to celebrate the first 200 years of Huntsville, Alabama, the Eden of the South. EDEN OF THE SOUTH A Chronology of Huntsville, Alabama 1 8 0 5 - 2 0 0 5 E dited by Ranee G. Pruitt Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Huntsville, Alabama ©2005 Huntsville-Madison County Public Library Huntsville, Alabama 35801 All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Layout design by: James H. Maples Cover artist: Dennis Waldrop Photographer: James Pruitt All photographs, unless otherwise noted, are from the collection of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library ISBN: 0-9707368-2-7 Published by Huntsville-Madison County Public Library 915 M onroe St. P.O. Box 443 Huntsville, Alabama 35804 P reface In celebration of the Bicentennial of the City of Huntsville, the Board of Directors of the Huntsville Madison County Public Library is proud to present the Library’s first book: Eden of the South: A Chronology of Huntsville, Alabam a. Established in 1817, before Alabama was a state, Alabama’s first public library has provided continuous service to its citizens since that date. This community and its public library system has been built and nourished by genera tions of individuals, families, and members of the Library Board of Directors dating back to the early 1800’s. This book is the first of many planned for publication in the years to come. Proceeds generated from Eden of the South and the books that follow will enable the Library to build an endowment fund to support the collections in our Huntsville Heritage Room and Archives. We know you will enjoy the Library’s tribute in celebration of the 200th birthday of Huntsville, Alabama. Library Board of Directors Charles E. Kettle, Chairman Lady Shivers Tucker, Vice Chairman Teresa L. Noble Carol Casey Jones E. Cutter Hughes Library Director Donna B. Schremser City of Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer Councilman Richard M . Showers, Sr. Councilman Bill Kling Councilwoman Sandra Moon Councilman Glenn Watson Councilman Mark Russell iii Introduction In celebration of Huntsville’s 200th anniversary, the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library decided to publish a manuscript that would scan its events and people, as we are the keepers of Huntsville’s history. Many books have been written about the history of Huntsville; however, the purpose of this volume is to provide the reader with vari ous facets of its history, provide an accurate, concise desk reference, and to entertain readers with details of the less familiar characters and happenings that figured in the city’s rise to prominence. The chronology covers two hundred years and so many subjects that each entry is very brief. Great selectivity was used by the compilers and editors in choosing the events included. The book represents countless hours of research and writing by twenty different authors, each with their own inter ests, training, and writing style for that particular decade. Most of us have an interest in Huntsville’s history, either professionally or simply as amateur historians. As you read these pages and pore over the photographs of yester year, I hope you find yourself laughing at a certain event that you may have attended or remember, as entertaining as it is informative. Many of the entries were taken from the newspapers found in the Madison County Record Center of the Huntsville Public Library. Others were culled from a variety of references from books and manuscripts, a complete listing of which is included at the back of the book. An alphabetical index makes it easy to find entries covering a wide range of subjects and people, or you can just read along and be surprised on every page. It tells the story of how Huntsville developed from a small village near the Tennessee River to the Rocket capital of the world, as we know it today. Any year will give you a vivid sense of what life was like for Huntsvillians at that time, the political and financial developments that shaped their lives, the sporting events, and the arts that entertained them. Ranee Pruitt, editor iv Acknowledgements The Library is extremely grateful to the compilers and transcribers who generously gave their time and knowledge towards the publication of Eden o f the South. We thank Susanna Leberman, Donna Dunham, Jacquelyn Procter Gray, Brian Hogan, Thomas Hutchens, Jeanne Hand Henry, Patricia Ryan, Bob Adams, Judy Purinton, Martin Towery, Julie Blackwell, Linda Alcott Maples, James (Jim) Maples, Glenda Smallwood, David E. Milam, Nancy Rohr, Robert Reeves, and Rhonda Larkin. The monumental task of editing was accomplished by Ranee Pruitt and a dedicated team of local historians: A great deal of credit for the completion of this book goes to James (Jim) Maples who served as Layout Design Edi tor. The book could not have been done without him. A special thanks must be given to Associate Editors Richard Smallwood, and Jacquelyn Procter Gray, the guiding force behind this project.. We are also grateful to Nancy Rohr for her dedication to our project. In addition to her assistance to the editor, she also proofed the manuscript. Thanks also to artist Dennis Waldrop, who designed and painted John Hunt at the Big Spring for the cover. Donna Schremser, Director Huntsville-Madison County Public Library v The Editors and Compilers Photo by Bob Gathany E dito rs First row from left to right: Jim Maples, Ranee Pruitt, Richard Smallwood, and Jacque Gray C om pilers Second row from left to right: Julie Blackwell, Jeanne Hand Henry, Linda Alcott Maples, Rhonda Larkin, Glenda Smallwood, Bob Adams, and Nancy Rohr Back row from left to right: Patricia Ryan, Susanna Leberman, Martin Towery, Thomas Hutchens, Brian Hogan, Judy Purinton, and Robert Reeves Not pictured: David Milam and Donna Dunham vi The Compilers Eden of the South is the result of the work of 20 Huntsville history enthusiasts. It has been prepared as a timeline for the 200th Anniversary of John Hunt’s coming to the Big Spring. The compilers were chosen as a result of their love or involvement for their particular decade. I extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all who gener ously contributed 100’s of hours going through newspapers, books and manuscripts to complete their decade. 1805-1819 1910s Ranee Pruitt Patricia Ryan Archivist, Huntsville Public Library Textile Mill Historian, Author 1820s 1920s Susanna Leberman James H. and Linda Alcott Maples Student of History, Masters Program, UAH. H istorians 1830s 1930s Nancy Rohr Bob Adams Author, Historian President, Huntsville-Madison Co. Historical Society 1840s 1940s Donna Dunham Judy Purinton, Martin Towery and Julie Blackwell Historian, Madison County Records Center Adult Services Dept., Huntsville Public Library 1850s 1950s Jacquelyn Procter Gray Glenda Smallwood Author, Historian 1950’s Historian, Huntsville native 1860s 1960s Brian Hogan Robert Reeves Civil War Historian W H N T -T V 19 1870s 1970s Thomas Hutchens Ranee Pruitt Librarian, Huntsville Heritage Room 1980s 1880s David E. Milam Thomas Hutchens Historian 1890s 1990s Thomas Hutchens & Ranee Pruitt Rhonda Larkin Archivist, Madison County Records Center 1900s Jeanne Hand Henry (1900’s) 2000s Historian, Professional Genealogist Ranee Pruitt The Editors Ranee Pruitt - Editor James (Jim) Maples - Layout Design Editor Richard Smallwood - Associate Editor Jacquelyn Procter Gray - Associate Editor vii Table of Contents P reface.......................................................................................................................................................................................................iii Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................................iv A cknow ledgm ents................................................................................................................................................................................v The C om pilers....................................................................................................................................................................................... vi 1805-1819: The Eden of the S outh............................................................................................................................................... 1 1820s: A New S tate...........................................................................................................................................................................