Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
The Duke of Cahaba
Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018
1. The Duke of Cahaba Marker
Look around you. There are hundreds of pecan trees growing nearby. All were planted by Clifton Kirkpatrick, a.k.a. The Duke of Cahaba." (Note: Cahawba lost its "w" by the late 19th century.)
In 1889 Samuel and Sarah Kirkpatrick moved to Selma, leaving their Cahawba land in the capable hands of their son Clifton (1861 - 1930). He turned the abandoned remains of Alabama's first capital into a showcase farm of diversified, scientific agriculture by departing from the South's one crop cotton system.
Clifton Kirkpatrick believed in public service and worked to promote the welfare of all farmers. From 1927 until his death in 1930, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives. The Montgomery Advertiser published this political cartoon by Spang on January 12, 1927. Clearly, Clifton Kirkpatrick was well known as an advocate for agriculture in the Alabama region known as the "Black Belt."
How Clifton Became the "Duke"
Clifton Kirkpatrick served as an unofficial tour guide to the historic sites in Cahawba. However during his lifetime, most people used the shorter spelling "Cahaba." He often hosted visitors at
this page online
Erected 2015 by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 12, 1927.
Location. 32° 19.432′ N, 87° 5.872′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It is on Oak Street north of Fifth North Street, on the left when traveling north. Located within the Cahawba Archaeological Park (nominal fee required). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oak Street, Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the
Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018
2. Former slave quarters and area of "Kirk-View"
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Behind the Big House (a few steps from this marker); Cahawba's African American Cemetery (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Death in the Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hole That Was Once a Row (approx. 0.3 miles away); C.C. Pegues & His Most Unusual Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Who Lived Here? (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Lafayette Visits Cahawba (approx. 0.3 miles away); Drug Store & the Rooms Above (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Duke of Cahaba (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Behind the Big House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Kirk-View Farm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Old Brick Store (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Crocheron's Row (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); The Crocheron Columns (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 748 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
