The lake that is no more Story by Jerry C. Smith Submitted photos Water is an absolute necessity for any permanent settlement, be it an Indian village or a major city. An area in northern St. Clair County is blessed with five springs, arranged in a circle around a sixth major spring that provided [...]
New owners bring changes to historic Springville house Story by Tina Tidmore Photos by Jerry Martin A “For Sale” sign remained in the lawn of a 19th century Springville house for about six years. It has been known as the “Buchanan house” and the “Coupland-George house,” depending on who was living in it at the [...]
County’s oldest cemetery a little-known find Story and photos by Jerry Smith Most of Pell City’s departed are nicely memorialized in several spacious, well-known cemeteries; among them Oak Ridge, the largest; Valley Hill (which lies neither in a valley nor on a hill); New Hope (Truitt); and Mt. Zion. But the city’s original burial [...]
A modern tale of historic survival Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Jerry Martin It would be more than a decade before the young, upstart town known as Pell City would be incorporated to its west. Riverside lay to its east. In the middle, thrived the timber town of Seddon. Population: 500. The year was [...]
Creating a most unusual tradition Photos by Jerry Martin The T-shirt peeking out from the opening of the camouflage jacket read: “Alabama: So Many Squirrels. So Few Recipes.” If you’re making such a fashion statement and others are envious of your attire, chances are that you are participating in the annual Lovejoy Slingshot Hunt. This [...]
A look back at how St. Clair County got started Story by Jerry Smith Photos submitted Photos by Jerry Martin A wagon train set out from Georgia in late autumn of 1816, headed westward-ho toward Shelby County, Alabama, to settle with other recent migrants from North Carolina. Among these latest emigrants were John Ash, his [...]
Friends celebrate defying odds Survivor (ser-vahy-ver) noun: 1. Somebody who survives: somebody who remains alive despite being exposed to life-threatening danger. 2. Somebody with great powers of endurance: somebody who shows a great will to live or a great determination to overcome difficulties and carry on. Story by Carol Pappas Photos by Jerry Martin At [...]
Crowds fill Pell City Civic Center as show cast comes to promote Global Championship Wrestling Story by Loyd McIntosh Photos by Jerry Martin Every generation has one of those cultural touchstones where they remember exactly where they were when they heard the news and were forced to take stock of the world around them. The [...]
When St. Clair’s largest city was just getting started Story by Jerry Smith Submitted photos What magic molded a sleepy little whistle stop of 40 souls into St. Clair County’s largest city? Actually, the town owes its success to a missed train and a fortuitous marriage. Pell City was blessed with both a father and [...]
A St. Clair County culinary sensation Story by Loyd McIntosh Photos by Jerry Martin Fried foods may be bad for the heart, but they’re oh so great for the soul. Done right, a deep-fried anything can be heaven in a flaky golden container. Case in point, in an episode of the old WB television series [...]
