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

The Founding of Tuscaloosa

City of Tuscaloosa

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

1. The Founding of Tuscaloosa Marker

Inscription. After the United States purchased Choctaw lands east of the Tombigbee River in 1816, the Tuscaloosa area opened to settlers. For the most part these people were of European descent and came from areas such as north Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. Some brought slaves of African ancestry with them.

Utilizing Indian trails or paddling along the Black Warrior River, these settlers quickly created a rough frontier town of log cabins, taverns, and crude hotels. On December 13, 1819, the day before Alabama was admitted to the Union, Tuscaloosa was incorporated.

This pioneer village grew rapidly, and in less than 10 years after its founding, was designated as the new State Capital in 1825.

More information about early Tuscaloosa and its role as State Capital is available at Capitol Park and along the connecting Riverwalk.

Erected by City of Tuscaloosa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1819.

Location. 33° 12.57′ N, 87° 33.874′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. Marker 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

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is at or near this postal address: 2106 6th St, Tuscaloosa AL 35401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Capital Years: 1825-1847 (a few steps from this marker); The Earliest Tuscaloosans and Our Namesake (a few steps from this marker); Why Are We Here? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil War Years: 1861-1865 (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconstruction:1867-1874 (within shouting distance of this marker); Where Are We? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil Rights Era (within shouting distance of this marker); African-American Business District (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. The Founding of Tuscaloosa 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 93 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.