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

James Thomas Rapier

City of Florence Walk of Honor

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, July 13, 2009

1. James Thomas Rapier Marker

Inscription.
Lawyer and statesman James T. Rapier, a son of free African-American parents in Florence, holds the distinction of being just the second African-American from Alabama to be elected, in 1873, to the U.S. Congress.

Erected 2007 by City of Florence.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 34° 48.374′ N, 87° 37.884′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It can be reached from Hightower Place south of Veterans Drive (Alabama Route 133), on the left when traveling south. Beginning with marker one, this marker is on pole 15 backside. It is one of 18 poles each has four sides that is located behind the Marriott Hotel in River Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

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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: Homer J. Givens (here, next to this marker); Samuel Cornelius Phillips (here, next to this marker); Maurice Causey (here, next to this marker); Doublehead, Cherokee Chief (here, next to this marker); William Burch (Billy) Reid (here, next to this marker); Robert Rausch (here, next to this marker); Rear Admiral Fran McKee (here, next to this marker); Lynn Middleton Sibley (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . .
1. James T. Rapier. James Thomas Rapier (November 13, 1837 – May 31, 1883) was a United States Representative from 1873 until 1875. He was one of Alabama's three black congressmen during Reconstruction. (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. BlackPast.Org Remembered & Reclaimed.

Walk of Honor River Heritage Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, March 22, 2010

2. Walk of Honor River Heritage Park

Rapier, James Thomas (1837-1883) (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,739 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.