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

Justice John McKinley Federal Building

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 25, 2009

1. Justice John McKinley Federal Building Marker

Inscription. Named for Alabama's first United States Supreme Court Justice, John McKinley made his home in Florence, Alabama from about 1821 to 1842. Born May 1, 1780 in Culpepper County, Virginia, he died July 19, 1852 and is buried in Louisville, Kentucky. McKinley was an early setter of Huntsville, Alabama and resided in the Howard Weeden Home. As a member of the Cypress Land Company, he was one of the seven founders of Florence in 1818. McKinley helped establish one of Florence's first schools and its first church. First Presbyterian Church.

McKinley was an early benefactor of public education in Alabama by donating land for the current Athens State University and serving on the original Board of Trustees for the University of Alabama. As a local lawyer, he gained regional status as an Alabama Legislator and national status in both the U.S. House and Senate. His work in Congress on the first Florence Canal establishes him as the "Spiritual Father of TVA." While a resident of Florence in 1838, McKinley was sworn in as the 23rd Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court where he served until his death.

Erected by Alabama State Bar Legal Milestone.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics

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• Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1882.

Location. 34° 48.137′ N, 87° 40.515′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is on N. Seminary St. close to E. Tombigbee St.. Marker is in front of US Post Office on N Seminary St. Florence, Al. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 N Seminary St,, Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florence Synodical Female College (about 400 feet away); Sculpture Relief Books and Learning (about 500 feet away); First Baptist Church 1888 (about 500 feet away); City of Florence (about 500 feet away); Regions Bank (about 500 feet away); Woodrow Wilson Park (about 500 feet away); Original Site of FAME Recording Studio (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . . File:U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Florence, AL.jpg. Picture 1913 (Submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Justice John McKinley Federal Building Marker/Reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 25, 2009

2. Justice John McKinley Federal Building Marker/Reverse side

Justice John McKinley Federal Building/US Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, June 25, 2009

3. Justice John McKinley Federal Building/US Post Office

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 3, 2014

4. Justice John McKinley Federal Building Marker

Picture is hanging inside the United States Post Office and Court House

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, May 3, 2014

5. Justice John McKinley Federal Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,227 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4, 5. submitted on May 26, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.