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

John H. Wisdom

Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, December 18, 2010

1. John H. Wisdom Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

His courageous ride of warning from Gadsden to Rome, Ga. on May 2, 1863 is unsurpassed in history.

Erected 1957 by Etowah County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1896.

Location. 34° 0.656′ N, 85° 59.96′ W. Marker is in Gadsden, Alabama, in Etowah County. Marker is on Broad Street east of 1st Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker stand to the the right of the Broad Street Bridge when heading east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gadsden AL 35901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Emma Sansom Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Gadsden, Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul Harvey Loyalty Day (within shouting distance

Broad Street Bridge and the John H. Wisdom Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim & Renda Carr, December 18, 2010

2. Broad Street Bridge and the John H. Wisdom Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Bunk Richardson (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gadsden Amphitheater (approx. ¼ mile away); Gadsden Municipal Amphitheatre (approx. ¼ mile away); Gadsden Times-News Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gadsden.

Regarding John H. Wisdom. John Henry Wisdom known as the "Paul Revere of the South" traversed the 67 miles via buggy, horses and a mule from Gadsden, Alabama to Rome, Georgia to warn the people of Rome the impending arrival of Abel Streight's command of Union Troops. The grateful citizens of Rome gave the 42 year old Wisdom a $400 silver service and $400 cash for his warning the city of the potential arrival of Federal forces. John Wisdom made

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the ride because the Union forces had sunk his ferryboat and his mother lived in Rome.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,828 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.