Hodges in Franklin County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

"Spirit of Hodges"

Photographed by David J Gaines, January 24, 2015

1. "Spirit of Hodges" Marker

Inscription. The Town of Hodges held a war bond auction in the month of January 1943. The proceeds amounted to about $47,000. As an award, the war department allowed Hodges to name a P-51 Mustang Fighter aircraft. She was named "The Spirit of Hodges." The plane was built by the North American Aviation Company and was modified in Birmingham, Alabama. The P-51 was a long range, single seated aircraft. It flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany and was used against the Japanese in the Pacific. It is not clear if the "Spirit of Hodges" plane was shot down or if she came back to the United States. On October 11, 2007 the Town of Hodges celebrated its 100th birthday. The Hodges Historical Committee formed its first festival and once again honored the "P-51" by using her as the theme for the celebration.

Erected 2010 by The Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Hodges.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1943.

Location. 34° 20.131′ N, 87° 55.882′ W. Marker is in Hodges, Alabama, in Franklin County. It

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is on Alabama Route 172 north of Canyon Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in a small park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hodges AL 35571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: History of Vina (approx. 7.8 miles away); Carl Atwood Elliott (approx. 7.9 miles away); Dismals (approx. 8.6 miles away); Town of Belgreen (approx. 10.4 miles away); Shottsville Cemetery (approx. 12.2 miles away); Buttahatchee Cemetery (approx. 13.2 miles away); Confederate Veterans Bicentennial Memorial (approx. 13.8 miles away); The First Alabama Cavalry (approx. 13.8 miles away).

Photographed by David J Gaines, January 24, 2015

2. "Spirit of Hodges" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2015, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on May 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2015, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.