Auburn in Lee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Lathe

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, January 16, 2011

1. The Lathe Marker

Inscription. Built in Selma, Alabama, during the early part of the Civil War for the manufacture of military supplies for the Confederate Army. During the war an attempt was made to move it to Columbus, Georgia to prevent its being seized by Federal troops. En route, it was buried for a time near Irondale, Alabama. When the danger of capture had passed, it was dug up and moved to Columbus, where it was used for boring cannon until the end of the war. After the war, the lathe was used by the Birmingham Rolling Mills, which later became part of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company. In 1936 that company presented this historic lathe to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.

Erected 1952 by Alpha Phi Omega.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 32° 36.298′ N, 85° 28.964′ W. Marker is in Auburn, Alabama, in Lee County. It can be reached from South College Street, on the right when traveling south. The Lathe is located on the north side of Samford Hall on the campus of Auburn University. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Auburn University AL 36849, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and in Greater Columbus.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 walking distance of this marker: The East Alabama Methodist College (here, next to this marker);

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Auburn WWI Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); East Alabama Male College (about 400 feet away); Auburn University Chapel (about 400 feet away); Auburn University (about 400 feet away); Desegregation at Auburn (about 500 feet away); Auburn - Alabama (about 600 feet away); Auburn 1865~Present / The "Loveliest Village" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Toomers Corner And The Bank Of Auburn (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

The Lathe and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, January 16, 2011

2. The Lathe and Marker

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, January 16, 2011

3. The Lathe

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, January 16, 2011

4. The Lathe

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,724 times since then and 141 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.