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

Weeden Heights

early 1900s

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 30, 2009

1. Weeden Heights Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This Twentieth century business and residential area was developed by John D. Weeden Jr. during the building of Wilson Dam and the World War I Defense Plants. Weeden Heights was carved from 3,800-acre Sweetwater Plantation, the former home of his grandfather, Governor Robert M. Patton. The slave village, with its 23 small cabins facing a community square, was located north of the Broadway Recreation Center. An unmarked slave cemetery is nearby. In 1871 the Pattons gifted a 25-acre farm in this area to a former slave. Edmund Patton. "In consideration of his faithfulness and fidelity."

Erected 2009 by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 34° 49.157′ N, 87° 38.352′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Broadway Street and Mahogany Ave on N. Broadway Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 N Broadway 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

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2010

2. Weeden Heights Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

. Sweetwater (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Father of Rock ’N’ Roll / Sam Phillips in Florence (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jonathan Quinn Pettus (approx. 0.9 miles away); John Wilkinson Taylor (approx. 0.9 miles away); Doublehead, Cherokee Chief (approx. 0.9 miles away); Aaron Gus Green (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lin Dunn (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . .
1. Blue Water Publications. Civil War Stories by Dr. McDonald The hero of this story was the Negro slave, Edmund Patton. Edmund, who was later to be affectionately called “Uncle Champ” by the other Negroes, must have had a premonition that night. (Submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. Confederate veteran, Volume 30. Edmund - A servant (Tribute by Mrs. John D. Weeden, Florence, Al) to th faithful body servant of ex-Governor Robert M. Patton.) (Submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Broadway Rec Center part of Weeden Heights Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2010

3. Broadway Rec Center part of Weeden Heights Area

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,303 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.