Phenix City in Russell County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Albert Love Patterson
January 27, 1891 - June 18, 1954
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
1. Albert Love Patterson Marker (side 1)
Inscription.
Albert Love Patterson. January 27, 1891 - June 18, 1954. (side 1) , Born at New Site, Alabama, he grew up working on his parents’ farm. In 1916 he worked in the oil fields in Texas and joined the Texas National Guard. He married Agnes Benson of Alabama in 1917. In 1918 he was commissioned an officer in the 36th Infantry Division. He was wounded by machine gun fire at St. Etienne, France, during World War I and awarded the French Croix de Guerre with gilt star for bravery. He later received the Purple Heart. His wounds left him crippled for life, but his spirit was undaunted., Returning to Alabama, he served as a school teacher, principal and member of the Phenix City School Board, serving as chairman for six years. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1924, received a law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Tennessee, and practiced law in east Alabama from 1928 until his death. He represented Russell and Lee Counties in the State Senate from 1946 to 1950, and was active in the Methodist Church and various civic organizations. Albert Patterson is remembered as an honest man with the courage to stand by his convictions in the face of great adversity.
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(Continued from other side). The Coulter Building housed the law office of Albert Patterson. Patterson won the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of Alabama on June 4, 1954, campaigning on a platform to end criminal activity in Phenix City and the public corruption that allowed it to flourish. As a consequence of his efforts and his support of the Russell Betterment Association, Patterson was fatally shot on June 18, 1954 in the parking lot next to this building. Martial law was declared and General Walter J. “Crack” Hanna and the Alabama National Guard came to Phenix City. The sacrifice of Albert Patterson led to the restoration of law and order in Phenix City.
(side 1)
Born at New Site, Alabama, he grew up working on his parents’ farm. In 1916 he worked in the oil fields in Texas and joined the Texas National Guard. He married Agnes Benson of Alabama in 1917. In 1918 he was commissioned an officer in the 36th Infantry Division. He was wounded by machine gun fire at St. Etienne, France, during World War I and awarded the French Croix de Guerre with gilt star for bravery. He later received the Purple Heart. His wounds left him crippled for life, but his spirit was undaunted.
Returning to Alabama, he served as a school teacher, principal and member of the Phenix City School Board, serving as chairman for six years. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1924, received a law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Tennessee, and practiced law in east Alabama from 1928 until his death. He represented Russell and Lee Counties in the State Senate from 1946 to 1950, and was active in the Methodist Church and various civic organizations. Albert Patterson is remembered as an honest man with the courage to stand by his convictions in the face of great adversity.
(Continued on other side)
(side 2)
(Continued from other side)
The Coulter Building housed the law office of Albert Patterson. Patterson won the Democratic nomination
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for Attorney General of Alabama on June 4, 1954, campaigning on a platform to end criminal activity in Phenix City and the public corruption that allowed it to flourish. As a consequence of his efforts and his support of the Russell Betterment Association, Patterson was fatally shot on June 18, 1954 in the parking lot next to this building. Martial law was declared and General Walter J. “Crack” Hanna and the Alabama National Guard came to Phenix City. The sacrifice of Albert Patterson led to the restoration of law and order in Phenix City.
Erected 2006 by The Historic Chattahoochee Commission, The Phenix City-Russell County Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Historical Association.
Location. 32° 28.414′ N, 84° 59.968′ W. Marker is in Phenix City, Alabama, in Russell County. Marker is at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 15th Street, on the left when traveling north on 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 5th Avenue South, Phenix City AL 36867, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Before The Battle / Battle Of Girard (about 400 feet away,
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
2. Albert Love Patterson Marker (side 2)
measured in a direct line); Ancient Fisheries (approx. ¼ mile away); Calhoun (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Mills (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); TSYS (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Griffin (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Mott (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Last Battle (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phenix City.
Also see . . . Albert Patterson assassination case. Alabama Department of Archives and History (Submitted on October 9, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
3. Coulter Building
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,982 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on October 7, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
