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

Tom Sims

Legends and Lore

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 27, 2026

1. Tom Sims Marker

Inscription. 1896-1972. One of the writers of "Popeye" comic, inspired by life & people on Coosa River including father, captain of Gadsden steamboat "Leota."

Erected 2025 by Alabama Folklife Association and William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 186.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 33° 59.656′ N, 86° 0.085′ W. Marker is in Gadsden, Alabama, in Etowah County. It is on River Road 0.2 miles south of U.S. 411, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 129 River Rd, Gadsden AL 35901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

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 original Cherokee Nation,

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Southern Hill Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sisters Missionary Servants Of The Most Blessed Trinity (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gadsden Municipal Amphitheatre (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gadsden Amphitheater (approx. one mile away); Paul Harvey Loyalty Day (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gadsden, Alabama

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(approx. 1.1 miles away); John H. Wisdom (approx. 1.2 miles away); Emma Sansom Monument (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gadsden.

More about this marker. Dedicated October 15, 2025 in Jack L Ray Park

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, May 27, 2026

2. Tom Sims Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.