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. How- ever during his lifetime, most people
this page online
Erected 2015 by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. 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. Marker 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.
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); Death in the Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hole That Was Once a Row (approx. 0.3 miles away); Who Lived Here? (approx. 0.3 miles away); Drug Store & the Rooms Above (approx. 0.3 miles away); Drug Store & the Room Above (approx. 0.4 miles away); Yankees in Cahawba (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018
2. Former slave quarters and area of "Kirk-View"
Photographed By Mark Hilton, January 6, 2018
3. Closeup of cartoon mentioned on marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
