Sheffield in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Village One
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 27, 2009
1. Village One Marker
In 1918, during World War I, the U.S. Government built this unique village of 85 bungalows, school, and officers barracks to house personnel at nearby Nitrate Plant No. 1. Prefabricated and standard size materials were used in construction along with red tile roofs and stucco exteriors. Streets were laid out in an unusual "Liberty Bell" design.
Reverse:
The Village was owned by TVA from 1933~1949. Its employees occupied the houses and their children attended a progressive school in the barracks building 1934~1941. TVA sold the houses at auction and gave the school and parks to the City of Sheffield in 1949. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Erected by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 34° 44.781′ N, 87° 43.061′ W. Marker is in Sheffield, Alabama, in Colbert County. Marker is at the intersection of Wilson Dam Avenue and Pickwick Street on Wilson Dam Avenue. Located at the intersection of Pickwick Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Winston Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Nitrate Plant No. 1 (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Nitrate Plant No. 1 (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Challenge / The Response (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Moon Tree (approx. 0.8 miles away); At This Well (approx. 0.8 miles away); Ivy Green (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ethel Davis Plaza (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheffield.
Also see . . . Historic Village Laid out form of Liberty Bell. The unique layout of the village was in the form of a handbell which resembled the Liberty Bell, including the handle, body, clapper and a school at the base. The village contained 112 residential homes, 2 school buildings, and a large apartment building for unmarried officers. Maud Lindsay, who was a nationally-known writer of children’s books was chosen as the first kindergarten teacher at the school. (Submitted on September 2, 2019, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 27, 2009
2. Village One Marker Reverse
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 27, 2009
3. Village One School House
This school is being restored.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,842 times since then and 121 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
