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

Sweetwater

— 1828 —

July 18, 2009

1. Sweetwater Marker

Inscription. Home of Major John Brahan, veteran War of 1812. Major General, Alabama Militia, who owned 4,000 acres here. Built of bricks made on the place, marble mantels imported from Italy, boxwood hedge from London. Named for spring nearby. Federal and Confederate quarters here at various times during the Civil War. Home of Brahan’s son–in–law Robert M. Patton, Governor of Alabama, 1865–1868.

Erected by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 34° 49.516′ N, 87° 38.675′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker is at the intersection of Florence Boulevard (U.S. 43) and Sweetwater Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Florence Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Weeden Heights (approx. half a mile away); Deibert Park (approx. one mile away); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Andrew Jackson's Military Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Florence Wagon Company (approx. 1.3 miles away); Cotton and Textile Mills

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(approx. 1.3 miles away); The Father of Rock ’N’ Roll / Sam Phillips in Florence (approx. 1.4 miles away); Maud McKnight Lindsay (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Regarding Sweetwater. The Sweetwater Plantation is in the process of being restored. It is hidden by trees and cannot be seen from the road.

Warning: The resident fiercely enforces the no-trespassing sign posted at the entrance due to repeated vandalism on the site. Information on requesting access is available on the FaceBook page for Sweetwater Mansion, Alabama.

Also see . . .
1. Sweetwater Plantation, Lauderdale County. Encyclopedia of Alabama entry. (Submitted on October 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Robert M. Patton (1865-67). Encyclopedia of Alabama entry. (Submitted on October 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Sweetwater Plantation (Florence, Alabama)
The Sweetwater Plantation once covered 3800 acres in NW Alabama, and was once owned by Governor Robert Patton. The Indians that once lived here called the creek Sweetwater. The Sweetwater Creek empties into the Tennessee River. Major

Sweetwater Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, March 14, 2010

2. Sweetwater Mansion

The mansion during the restoration process.

Brahan and his wife are buried on the grounds.

— Submitted March 9, 2010.

Sweetwater Plantation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By W. N. Manning, March 17, 1934

3. Sweetwater Plantation

Also known as the Governor Robert Patton House. This photograph was taken for the National Register of Historic Places and is in the U.S. Library of Congress' Built in America Collection and the Wikipedia Commons collection.

Robert M. Patton image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia, Unknown

4. Robert M. Patton

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010. This page has been viewed 4,037 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2010. 2. submitted on March 22, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on June 24, 2010. 4. submitted on October 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.

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