Union Springs in Bullock County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Union Springs, Alabama

Photographed by David J Gaines, October 20, 2012

1. Union Springs, Alabama Marker

Inscription.

Union Springs, Alabama. . , In the early 1800s, settlers coming from the Carolinas and Georgia received land grants and some purchased land from the Indians. They settled and cleared the forest for new farms and plantations in what would become a newly formed State of Alabama (1819). This same area would become Macon County in 1832. African men, women, and children were brought in as slaves tending fields, doing carpentry work, becoming brick masons, and serving in the homes of their owners in various capacities. Merchants, cabinetmakers, carpenters, tavern operators, livery stable operators, physicians, lawyers, teachers, and ministers followed to sell their wares and service the needs of the people. On January 13, 1844, Governor Benjamin Fitzpatrick signed legislation giving Union Springs, a community in Macon County, a corporate existence. On March 13, 184, William H. Waugh, the first Intendant, and Councilmen James A. Jones, August C. Hawkins, John B. Coleman, J. T. Coxe, Micajah N. Eley, Cicero Broome, and M. D. Farris were sworn into office by H. H. Smith, Justice of the Peace. The War Between the States ended in 1865 and all slaves were freed.

On December 5, 1866, Bullock County was created out of portions of Macon, Barbour, Pike, and Montgomery Counties. Union Springs was selected as its county seat. County officials were elected and a jail and courthouse were constructed. New brick business buildings were built. Railroads were routed through the town, cotton warehouses were built, two cemeteries were designated, two fire departments and schools were established. During the period 1890-1910, an opera house, race track, street railroad, and banks were established. Electrical, water, sewage, and telephone systems improved the quality of life. Large homes of various architectural styles were built which reflected the success of their owners. Men and women of Union Springs have served proudly and with honor in all of the country’s wars and conflicts. Union Springs is the “Bird Dog Field Trial Capitol of the World” and is the only city in the United States that can say “Welcome to USA.”

In the early 1800s, settlers coming from the Carolinas and Georgia received land grants and some purchased land from the Indians. They settled and cleared the forest for new farms and plantations in what would become a newly formed State of Alabama (1819). This same area would become Macon County in 1832. African men, women, and children were brought in as slaves tending fields, doing carpentry work, becoming brick masons, and serving in the homes of their owners in various capacities. Merchants, cabinetmakers, carpenters, tavern operators, livery stable operators, physicians, lawyers, teachers, and ministers followed to sell their wares and service the needs of the people. On January 13, 1844, Governor Benjamin Fitzpatrick signed legislation giving Union Springs, a community in Macon County, a corporate existence. On March 13, 184, William H. Waugh, the first Intendant, and Councilmen James A. Jones, August C. Hawkins, John B. Coleman, J. T. Coxe, Micajah N. Eley, Cicero Broome, and M. D. Farris were sworn into office by H. H. Smith, Justice of the Peace. The War Between the States ended in 1865 and all slaves were freed.

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were constructed. New brick business buildings were built. Railroads were routed through the town, cotton warehouses were built, two cemeteries were designated, two fire departments and schools were established. During the period 1890-1910, an opera house, race track, street railroad, and banks were established. Electrical, water, sewage, and telephone systems improved the quality of life. Large homes of various architectural styles were built which reflected the success of their owners. Men and women of Union Springs have served proudly and with honor in all of the country’s wars and conflicts. Union Springs is the “Bird Dog Field Trial Capitol of the World” and is the only city in the United States that can say “Welcome to USA.”

Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Union Springs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1871.

Location. 32° 8.726′ N, 85° 42.961′ W. Marker is in Union Springs, Alabama, in Bullock County. It is on North Prairie Street, on the right when traveling north. Across North Prairie Street from the Bullock County Courthouse.

Union Springs, Alabama Marker, back image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David J Gaines, October 20, 2012

2. Union Springs, Alabama Marker, back

Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Union Springs AL 36089, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bullock County Courthouse Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Depot & Coal Shute (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hank Williams (about 300 feet away); Eddie Kendricks (about 300 feet away); Trinity Episcopal Church / Red Door Theater (about 700 feet away); Log Cabin Museum / Old City Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Treaty Boundary Line (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Indian Treaty Boundary Line (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union Springs.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,124 times since then and 130 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.