Near Bessemer in Jefferson County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Thomas McAdory Owen

(1866-1920)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2023

1. Thomas McAdory Owen Marker

Inscription. Thomas McAdory Owen, son of Dr. William Marmaduke Owen and Nancy Lucretia McAdory Owen, was born here on December 15, 1866, at the home of his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Emily McAdory. A University of Alabama graduate and lawyer, Owen served Jefferson County as justice of the peace and later assistant county solicitor. In 1893, he married Marle Bankhead, daughter of U.S. Congressman John Hollis Bankhead. Owen authored legislation which ultimately led to the creation of the Alabama Dept. of Archives and History in 1901, and served as director until his death on March 25, 1920. Thomas McAdory Owen is a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Richardson Owen.

Erected 2019 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 15, 1866.

Location. 33° 22.475′ N, 86° 57.681′ W. Marker is near Bessemer, Alabama, in Jefferson County. It is on Eastern Valley Road south of Elrie Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 Eastern Valley Rd, Bessemer AL 35020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: McAdory House (a few steps from this marker); Hosea Holcombe (approx. 1.4 miles away); “Spirit of the American Doughboy” (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sweet Home / Henry W. Sweet (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Bessemer Site (approx. 2 miles away); Bright Star / Koikos Restaurant (approx. 2 miles away); Owen House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Canaan Baptist Church (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bessemer.

Also see . . . Thomas M. Owen. Owen was also responsible for the revival of the Alabama Historical Society and wrote the first comprehensive study of the state's history and people. (Alden N. Monroe, Encyclopedia of Alabama) (Submitted on February 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2023

2. Thomas McAdory Owen Marker

Thomas McAdory Owen image. Click for full size.

from History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography by Thomas M. Owen (Public Domain), circa 1920

3. Thomas McAdory Owen

He founded the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the nation's first publicly funded, independent state archives agency.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.