Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Sculpture Relief Books and Learning

1921

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, July 2, 2009

1. Sculpture Relief Books and Learning 1921 Marker

Inscription. This sculpture relief was created by James W. Stoves and placed above the entrance to Gilbert Elementary School in 1921. In 1980, following the demolition of Gilbert school, it was moved to Hibbett Middle School. Because of its theme which relates to the teaching of children, it is now a part of the Florence/Lauderdale Public Library. Stoves left the Birmingham, Alabama coal mines to become a stoneworker and sculptor. He moved to Florence in 1913 and purchased the Florence Marble Works. Many of the monuments in the Florence Cemetery were sculptured by Stokes (sic).

Erected by Florence Historical Board Florence Alabama.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 34° 48.204′ N, 87° 40.464′ W. Marker was in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It was on N. Wood Ave.. Located in front of Florence Public Library. between E. Tuscalossa & E. Tombigbee Sts. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 350 North Wood Avenue,

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Florence AL 35630, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Sculpture Relief (a few steps from this marker); Florence Synodical Female College (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church 1888 (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodrow Wilson Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wood Avenue Church of Christ (about 300 feet away); Wood Avenue Historic District (about 400 feet away); Walnut Street Historic District

Florence Public Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, July 2, 2009

2. Florence Public Library

(about 500 feet away); Justice John McKinley Federal Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Sculpture of Books and Learning by James W. Stoves image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, April 13, 2013

3. Sculpture of Books and Learning by James W. Stoves

Now graces the front of the Florence Library

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,489 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.