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

The Civil War Years: 1861-1865

City of Tuscaloosa

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

1. The Civil War Years: 1861-1865 Marker

Inscription. Because of its location, Tuscaloosa was spared from conflict and destruction for most of the war. Many served in the Confederate military, while on the home front local industry produced clothing, munitions, and other war material. The city also served as a site for medical treatment, military prisons, and refuge for civilians fleeing other areas.

Days before the end of the war, Union cavalry swept into Tuscaloosa. After a brief resistance by Home Guards and University cadets, the city surrendered. In spite of the approaching end of the war, Federal troops burned much of The University of Alabama and local industries. Shops, stores, and some residences were looted. In later years, the federal government paid reparations for the destruction of the UA campus.

Additional information about Tuscaloosa during the Civil War is found on markers along the Riverwalk and on the UA campus.

Erected by City of Tuscaloosa.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 33° 12.576′ N, 87° 33.854′ W. Marker is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. It can be reached from the intersection of 6th Street and 21st Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is

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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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reconstruction:1867-1874 (a few steps from this marker); The Capital Years: 1825-1847 (a few steps from this marker); 1887: The Beginnings of Modern Tuscaloosa (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Tuscaloosa (within shouting distance of this marker); The Earliest Tuscaloosans and Our Namesake (within shouting distance of this marker); Answering the Call to Duty (within shouting distance of this marker); African-American Business District (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil Rights Era (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.

Also see . . . Tuscaloosa During the Civil War. Throughout most of the war years Tuscaloosa's role was primarily one of support in the form of manpower, services, and supplies. (Dr. Robert Mellown, Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society, as archived by the Internet Archive on March 14, 2011) (Submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 25, 2023

2. The Civil War Years: 1861-1865 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 353 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.