Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Why Are We Here?

City of Tuscaloosa

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

1. Why Are We Here? Marker

Inscription. Since ancient times, people have been attracted to this area because of ease of accessibility and abundant resources. Tuscaloosa lies at an important point where the Black Warrior River crosses the boundary of the Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Plateau.

Each of these regions offered valuable resources. The Coastal Plain featured land for farm and pasture along with vast forests and springs of high-quality water while the Appalachian Plateau abounded in mineral resources such as coal, iron ore and stone.

A series of waterfalls at this juncture created a ford allowing easy crossing of the river. Thus several Indian trails, utilized by early setters, converged at this point. These waterfalls were a barrier to upstream travel thereby creating a head of navigation, a location with distinct economic advantages.

Erected by City of Tuscaloosa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 33° 12.568′ N, 87° 33.894′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. It can be reached from 6th Street west of 21st Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in Government Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2106 6th St, Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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 walking distance of this marker: Where Are We? (a few steps from this marker); The Earliest Tuscaloosans and Our Namesake (a few steps from this marker); The Founding of Tuscaloosa (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capital Years: 1825-1847 (within shouting distance of this marker); Into The Twenty-First Century (within shouting distance of this marker); April 2011 Tornado Outbreak (within shouting distance of this marker); Margaret M. DuPont (within shouting distance of this marker); Senator Richard Shelby (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tuscaloosa.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

2. Why Are We Here? Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.