Prattville in Autauga County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Daniel Pratt Cemetery / George Cooke
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The former carpenter’s apprentice practiced his craft in Milledgeville, Ga. where he gained skill in building and design. In 1832 Pratt came to Alabama to build cotton gins. Esther encouraged Pratt to remain in Alabama in order for him to establish a manufacturing complex and the village of Prattville, founded 1839.
In 1847 Pratt was the recipient of the University of Alabama’s first honorary degree. His design strongly influenced the 1851 rebuilding of the State Capitol. Pratt served as a legislator during the Civil War period.
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Southern itinerant painter was born in Maryland in 1793; married Maria Heath of Virginia in 1815. His wide range of work included landscapes, portraits, and religious and historical subjects. Many of his works, including “Interior of St. Peter’s-Rome,” are owned by the University of Georgia.
Cooke studied in Europe, 1826 - 1831, where he met poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a lifelong friend. Cooke’s patron, Daniel Pratt, displayed a collection of his paintings in the art gallery at the Pratt mansion. After Cooke’s 1849 death in New Orleans, he was buried here near the Pratt gallery which had displayed his art as a tribute to his life and work.
Erected 1994 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 32° 27.558′ N, 86° 28.723′ W. Marker is in Prattville, Alabama, in Autauga County. Marker can be reached from Gin Shop Hill Road. The marker is located at the Daniel Pratt Cemetery. The Cemetery is at the end of a 300 yard walk on a closed dirt road off Gin Shop Hill Road. The dirt road is located on the left about 50 yards south of where Bridge Street junctions with Gin Shop Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Prattville AL 36066, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pratt Homesite (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Heritage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Autauga County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Plank Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Autauga Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wilson Pickett, Jr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Autauga County Viet Nam Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Autauga County World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prattville.
Also see . . .
1. Bio of George Cooke from Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 25, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. Daniel Pratt at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on January 6, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. George Cooke at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on January 6, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Tim Carr, January 23, 2010
7. One of the original buildings of the Daniel Pratt Gin Company built by Daniel Pratt circa 1848
This structure is now owned and operated by the Continental Eagle Corporation and still manufacturing cotton gins at this location. This building is believed to be the longest continuously occupied industrial building in the State of Alabama.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 6,317 times since then and 320 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 24, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 8, 9. submitted on February 25, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.