Phenix City in Russell County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Horace King
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
1. Horace King Marker (side 1)
Horace King a slave of John Godwin was construction foreman for the first Dillingham Street Bridge in 1832, when he and Godwin introduced the “town lattice” bridge design into the Chattahoochee Valley. King built most of the early wooden bridges spanning the river, including those at West Point, Eufaula and Fort Gaines-Franklin. After Godwin’s death in 1859, he raised a monument inscribed: “In lasting remembrance of the love and gratitude felt for his lost friend and former master.”
(side 2)
Born September 8, 1807 near Cheraw, South Carolina of African and American Indian ancestry.
Slave of John Godwin, bridgebuilder.
Supervised first Dillingham Street Bridge, 1832-1833.
Freed By Act of Alabama Legislature, 1846.
Member Alabama House of Representatives, 1869–1872
Successful contractor-builder in Chattahoochee valley.
Died in LaGrange, Georgia, May 27, 1887.
Erected 1979 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Russell County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical date for this entry is May 27, 1885.
Location. 32° 27.811′ N,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederates Set Fire To Lower Bridge (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); POW ✯ MIA Monument (about 600 feet away); Coweta and Northeastern Russell County: (about 700 feet away); "Emperor" Brims, Mary Musgrove and Chief William McIntosh (about 700 feet away); Coweta: Center for International Diplomacy (about 700 feet away); The Creek Town of Coweta (about 700 feet away); Six Indians Hanged (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Horace King (approx. ¼ mile away in Georgia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phenix City.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other locations of his work.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
2. Horace King Marker (side 2)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
3. Horace King Marker & Area
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,137 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
