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

Bennett Walker Smith

City of Florence Walk of Honor

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, December 1, 2010

1. Bennett Walker Smith Marker

Inscription.
Rev. Dr. Bennett W. Smith, as president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, expanded the organization internationally. Active in Civil Rights in America and South Africa, he counseled President Bill Clinton on racial equality.

Erected 2010 by City of Florence.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series list.

Location. 34° 48.383′ N, 87° 37.883′ 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 11 left side. 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,

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: William D. "Buddy" Killen (here, next to this marker); Admiral Richard H. Jackson (here, next to this marker); Justice John A. McKinley

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(here, next to this marker); Dr. Ethelbert Brinkley Norton (here, next to this marker); Rear Admiral Mary Alice Hall (here, next to this marker); Edward Asbury O'Neal, III (here, next to this marker); LTC Allen D. ("Skip") Butler (here, next to this marker); Robert E. "Bob" Bruninga (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, March 29, 2023

2. Bennett Walker Smith Marker

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 29, 2025

3. Bennett Walker Smith Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,430 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on March 29, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. Photos: 1. submitted on December 2, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on March 31, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.