Near Vandiver in Shelby County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Sidney Word Lee

(1864-1944)

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, February 16, 2012

1. Sidney Word Lee Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Founder of Buffalo Rock Company (1901) in Birmingham and creator of Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale, a medicinal tonic first used in the Civil War. Lee's vision and influential support inspired the construction of this road across Double Oak Mountain connecting Coosa Valley to more developed land in the Cahaba Valley.

Work began on Highway 25 in 1914 and was completed in 1921. At the time no other roads existed on the mountain and early settlers called the path the Winding Stair Trail. Highway 25 provided access to Lee's 3000-acre camp in Calcis-an area Lee claimed to be the most beautiful in the world. He often brought friends and family to vacation here and local denizens reported his many visits included gifts of fruit and candy for the children of the region.

Erected 2011 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location.

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33° 28.703′ N, 86° 32.641′ W. Marker is near Vandiver, Alabama, in Shelby County. Marker is on Alabama Route 25 north of Lake View Circle, on the right when traveling north. Marker located atop Double Oak Mountain between Vandiver and Dunnavant communities. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vandiver AL 35176, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mt. Hebron Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Mt. Hebron School (approx. 3.7 miles away); Rowan House (approx. 3.8 miles away); Congressional Medal Of Honor Recipients (approx. 4.3 miles away); Jonathan Bass House Museum (approx. 4.4 miles away); John Henry (approx. 4½ miles away); The Depot (approx. 4½ miles away); Old Sterrett Cemetery (approx. 4.6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Sid Lee by the Bhamwiki. (Submitted on February 16, 2012, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. History of the Buffalo Rock Company. (Submitted on February 16, 2012, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, February 16, 2012

2. Sidney Word Lee Marker

Coosa Valley viewed from Double Oak Mountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, December 7, 2008

3. Coosa Valley viewed from Double Oak Mountain

Coosa Valley and Highway 25. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, March 6, 2010

4. Coosa Valley and Highway 25.

Highway 25 acending Double Oak Mountain on the Coosa Valley side of the mountain. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, March 6, 2010

5. Highway 25 acending Double Oak Mountain on the Coosa Valley side of the mountain.

Cahaba Valley viewed from Double Oak Mountain. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, March 6, 2010

6. Cahaba Valley viewed from Double Oak Mountain.

The original Sidney Word Lee Marker that was replaced by the current marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By TRCP Alliance, March 6, 2010

7. The original Sidney Word Lee Marker that was replaced by the current marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2012, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,310 times since then and 182 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 16, 2012, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.