Near Kingsland in Cleveland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 27, 2024

1. Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home Marker

Inscription.
Paul William Bryant was born on September 11, 1913, and spent his early years here in a home in Moro Bottom. He was one of twelve children born to Monroe and Ida Bryant. As a young teenager, Paul earned the nickname “Bear” by entering a carnival promotion in which he wrestled a bear. At Fordyce High School he was a football standout and played on their 1930 state championship team. He attended the University of Alabama, playing on teams that won the Southeastern Conference, national championship, and Rose Bowl. Bryant worked as an assistant coach at Alabama and Vanderbilt before serving in the Navy in World War II.

After the war, he was head coach at Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A&M before returning to Alabama as head coach in 1958. In 38 seasons, Bryant amassed a record of 323-85-17, including 29 bowl games. His teams won 14 SEC titles, 1 SWC title, and 6 national championships. Bryant was honored as National Coach of the Year 3 times, SEC Coach of the Year 12 times, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan four weeks after his death on January 26, 1983. At the time,

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he was the most successful coach in college football history. Bryant’s career was commemorated by a US postage stamp in 1997.

Erected 2024 by Arkansas Historic Preservation Program; Arkansas Heritage. (Marker Number 43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 1913.

Location. 33° 47.669′ N, 92° 18.361′ W. Marker is near Kingsland, Arkansas, in Cleveland County. It is on State Highway 8 3 miles west of State Highway 97, on the right when traveling east. Hwy 8 between Fordyce and New Edinburg, 1/2 mile west of Smith Chapel Rd, on south side of highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1560 AR-8, Kingsland AR 71652, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Gulf Coastal Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 27, 2024

2. Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home Marker

Side 2

it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Union Wagon Train Leaves Camden (approx. 3 miles away); The Battle of Marks' Mill (approx. 3 miles away); The Battle at Marks' Mill (approx. 3 miles away); Witnesses to War (approx. 3 miles away); Cleveland County Battle of Mark's Mill (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Battle Had Begun! (approx. 3.4 miles away); Shelby's Approach (approx. 3.4 miles away); Battle of Marks' Mills / Marks Family Experience (approx. 3.6 miles away).

Regarding Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home. The house that Paul "Bear" Bryant grew up in is no longer there; this marker merely marks the site where it formerly stood.

Also see . . . Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Unveils … (Arkansas Heritage). Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Unveils Paul 'Bear' Bryant Historical Marker in Fordyce:

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) successfully
Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 27, 2024

3. Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home Marker
View of marker from Highway 8 in its setting next to large sign saying "Birth Place of Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant"
unveiled a new historical marker on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, honoring legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in his hometown of Fordyce, Arkansas. The event, held at his birthplace, at 1560 AR-8, Kingsland, AR 71652 drew a crowd of residents, sports enthusiasts and public officials who came together to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the most iconic figures in collegiate sports history.

The ceremony featured remarks by Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd, State Representative Sonia Barker, Shea Lewis, Secretary of Arkansas Department of Parks Heritage and Tourism (ADPHT), Marty Ryall, director of Arkansas Heritage and the Great-Great Niece of Coach Bryant, Jennifer Robinson.

(Submitted on September 30, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2024, by Ashley Sides of Little Rock, Arkansas. This page has been viewed 1,403 times since then and 157 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2024, by Ashley Sides of Little Rock, Arkansas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.