On land donated by Ed Crosby, a group of African American community leaders had a well dug in January 1955 to provide the people of Gordonville with running water. The Well, the first black-owned water system in Alabama. Initially had just four . . . — — Map (db m207412) HM
Founded in 1820 by settlers from the Edgefield, Abbeville, and Colleton Districts of South Carolina on property purchased from the U.S. Land Office at Cahaba. Officially named Hayneville in 1831 to honor South Carolina Senator Robert Y. Hayne. . . . — — Map (db m68004) HM
Johnathan Daniels was murdered near
this spot, then Cash's Store, on
August 20, 1965.
He gave his life in the fight for
integration of the churches
and universal voter registration.
At the time, he
was a divinity student at
The . . . — — Map (db m147604) HM
Lynching in America
Between the end of the Civil War and the close of World War II,
white mobs killed thousands of Black Americans in racial terror
lynchings, and committed widespread violence that traumatized
millions more. The Lowndes . . . — — Map (db m235867) HM
(front)
1861-1865
The Soldier Dead
of Lowndes
(left side)
No men died there
with more glory.
Yet many died,
And there was much glory.
(right side)
To
Devotion and Valor. . . . — — Map (db m68342) WM
In the 1820s, Hayneville was known as "Big Swamp." In 1830, after being chosen as the county seat of Lowndes County, it was named Hayneville for Robert Y. Hayne, governor of South Carolina and a U.S. senator. The incorporation of Hayneville as a . . . — — Map (db m85459) HM
On August 20, 1965, Jonathan Myrick Daniels, a 26-year-old
Episcopal seminarian from Keene, New Hampshire, was shot dead
at point blank range here. He was a graduate of Virginia Military
Institute and was attending Episcopal Theological School, . . . — — Map (db m147601) HM
Lowndesboro, AL—Enraged whites, jealous over the business success of a Negro are believed to be the lynchers of Elmore Bolling. Bolling, 39, was found riddled with shot gun and pistol shots 150 yards from his general merchandise store. It is . . . — — Map (db m184279) HM
The Lowndesboro School is among the oldest surviving Reconstruction-era
African American schoolhouses in the United States. It was founded in 1867
by Dr. Mansfield Tyler, an educator, minister, and member of the Alabama
House of . . . — — Map (db m245992) HM
Frances Lewis II (1768-1837), a planter, was the first soul to
be interred in this family cemetery. Lewis was born a British
subject in the Colony of Virginia and migrated to Alabama in
the 1820s. The fathers of both Frances Lewis II and his . . . — — Map (db m245991) HM
Settled before 1820 by planters from South Carolina and Virigina. First called McGill's Hill, it was incorporated, 1832, as Lowndesboro in honor of William Lowndes. There was a brief skirmish here between Forrest's troops and Wilson's raiders, April . . . — — Map (db m70933) HM
Lowndesboro, Alabama
Lowndesboro developed from a small community of early settlers to a thriving township in the 1830’s. The settlers’ plantation interests were maintained in the lowlands along the Alabama River, while they built their . . . — — Map (db m70934) HM
In Honor of
Our Confederate Soldiers
1861 1865
Jno Alexander • Wm. Alexander • Wm. H. Alexander • Ed Alexander • Capt. M.F. Bonham • Maj. Bright • Capt. T.B. Brown • Alberta Caffee • Irvin Crocheron • J.P. Caffee • Jim Crocheron • Jno. . . . — — Map (db m85472) WM
Organized in 1850 as Shiloh Baptist Church on the Pritchett
Plantation, later known as the R.D. Spann Place on Highway
21, North, 3 miles north of Hayneville. Primitive later added
to the name. Building originally constructed of logs, then
a . . . — — Map (db m217245) HM
In memory of our sister Viola Liuzzo who gave her life in the struggle for the right to vote... March 25, 1965 Presented by SCLC/WOMEN Evelyn G. Lowery, National Convener - 1991 - The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Joseph E. . . . — — Map (db m85461) HM
Lynching in America
Thousands of black people were the victims of lynching and racial violence in the United States between 1877 and 1950. The lynching of African Americans during this era was a form of racial terrorism intended to . . . — — Map (db m97983) HM
Enslavement & Racial Terror
The enslavement of black people in the United States was a brutal,
dehumanizing system that lasted more than 200 years. Between 1819
and 1860, Alabama's enslaved population grew from 40,000 to 435,000.
According . . . — — Map (db m154554) HM
Threatened by the potential four-to-one advantage of the black vote, whites retaliated by ousting black families from white-owned lands. The African American families who lived here paid dearly to earn their right to vote. Crowded into canvas tents . . . — — Map (db m112400) HM
Since the federal registrars came in August of 1965, thousands and thousands of Negroes have registered to vote. White plantation owners have retaliated by mass evictions. In December 1965, over forty families either left the county, moved in . . . — — Map (db m112405) HM
Monday, March 22, 1965, on the second day of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, protesters passed this site in late afternoon. At that time the four-lane highway in front of you was only two lanes, and for safety reasons the number of . . . — — Map (db m112375) HM
Six miles North, on December 23, 1813,
General F.L. Claiborne's army defeated
the Creeks and destroyed the Holy
Ground Indian Village. One American
was killed and 33 Creeks. William
"Red Eagle" Weatherford escaped by
leaping on horseback into . . . — — Map (db m60714) HM
One of the significant battles of the Creek War of 1813-14 occurred near here on December 23, 1813. The 3rd Regiment, U.S. Infantry forces under the command of General F. L. Claiborne attacked a band of Creek Indians. Called "Holy Ground" by Creeks . . . — — Map (db m116890) HM
At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man's unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama. . . . — — Map (db m112403) HM
While helicopters buzzed overhead, National Guard soldiers—ordered by President Lyndon Johnson to protect the marchers—lined U.S. Highway 80, alert to the potential of violence by angry whites. Marchers walked mile after tired mile, while black . . . — — Map (db m112384) HM
The roots of this house of worship date to 1868 when 26 African American members of Mount Gilead Church left to form their own congregation. The present building was constructed in 1901, with several enlargements and renovations throughout the . . . — — Map (db m104068) HM
For African Americans in the 1960s, being kicked off white-owned lands for trying to register to vote no isolated incident. Just as had happened here in Lowndes County, blacks in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Greene County, Alabama, were driven from . . . — — Map (db m112389) HM
In December 1965, a city of tents appeared on this site. The temporary shelters were homes for evicted black sharecropper families. These farmers worked and lived their lives on white-owned farms in Lowndes County. But when they dared to register to . . . — — Map (db m112371) HM
A two story school building was constructed and dedicated on this site in 1932 as the Hahira High School. It replaced an earlier school building that had burned down. Bishop Nelson donated the land for the school. Later additions of an auditorium . . . — — Map (db m195852) HM
Dedicated to all veterans who have served in all wars in the military services of the United States of America from the Hahira area. — — Map (db m245708) WM
Near this site on May 19, 1918, twenty-one year old Mary Turner, eight months pregnant, was burned, mutilated, and shot to death by a local mob after publicly denouncing her husband’s lynching the previous day. In the days immediately following the . . . — — Map (db m219578) HM
When Lowndes County was created December 23, 1825, Lawrence Folsom, Sion Hall, William Blair, John J. Underwood and Daniel McCauly were appointed Commissioners to select the capital of Lowndes County. The site which they chose, named Franklinville, . . . — — Map (db m12171) HM
Ewell Brown General Merchandise Store built 1890 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places Lake Park Historical Society Museum — — Map (db m174310) HM
The Valdosta Episcopal Congregation, organized ca. 1871, held services in the courthouse until this building, originally a frame structure, was constructed in 1885. (Stucco was added in 1910.) The first service was held here on February 21, 1886, . . . — — Map (db m27568) HM
In 1916 five prominent Valdosta businessmen and civic leaders -- William S. West, Lowndes W. Shaw, Leonard F. Shaw, Daniel C. Ashley, and Owen K. Jones -- donated 11 acres to the city to create a public park. The deed stipulated that the property . . . — — Map (db m27131) HM
Organized by settlers from Liberty County on Dec 3, 1864. The first minister, Rev. Eli Graves, came from Brooks County once a month to hold services in the courthouse before the first church was dedicated in 1867. Early elders were S.M. Varnedoe, R. . . . — — Map (db m27524) HM
American Legion Valdosta Post No. 13 ——— A gift to Valdosta and Lowndes County, In memory of the Veterans of all wars. Robert H. Haze, Commander Dedicated Veterans Day November 11, 1969 — — Map (db m197598) WM
Lowndes County was created by an act of the Georgia Legislature December 23, 1825, from lands previously in Irwin County. It was named for William J. Lowndes, a South Carolina statesman. The first count officers commissioned May 29, 1826, were Henry . . . — — Map (db m40166) HM
A privately owned bank was founded in 1874 in Valdosta by Remer Y. Lane as the R. Y. Lane Banking Co. In 1888 Lane, with others, formed the Merchants Bank which evolved into the Citizens and Southern National Bank in 1926, becoming the largest . . . — — Map (db m40183) HM
Inspired by a grant of $15,000 from Andrew Carnegie, citizens constructed this building as a Carnegie Library in 1913, for $40,000. This was the first public building designed by local Architect Lloyd B. Greer and was formally opened June 1914. The . . . — — Map (db m23441) HM
Site of Old City Hall at Ashley St. and Hill Ave. The City Hall, a brick and granite two-story structure built in 1895, was “the ornament of the town” with its 70-ft. clock tower. For 63 years it served as a City Hall, as the City . . . — — Map (db m40184) HM
Built in 1869 by the Valdosta Baptist Church, this is the oldest extant Church building in Valdosta. The building was purchased by the Valdosta Primitive Baptist Church when it was constituted on January 28, 1899. — — Map (db m27588) HM
In remembrance of the courage, honor and sacrifice shown by those brave men and women who fought to defend the Spirit of America on September 11, 2001. Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Rodney N. Casey, Chairman Joyce E. Evans, District . . . — — Map (db m197596) HM
This corner, Wall Street and West Hill Ave., was the site of the largest inland Sea Island cotton market in the world in 1910. Because of this cotton market, Valdosta was named the center of cotton production in South Georgia and was also rated the . . . — — Map (db m28006) HM
Erected AD. 1949 by J. O. Varnedoe Camp No. 14 U. S. W. V. and their friends in memory of Spanish American War Veterans ——— Sixteen million World War Veterans wonder when wars will cease — — Map (db m197600) WM
Built 1908-1910 Formerly a United States Post Office and Federal courthouse designed by U.S. Treasury Department Architect J. Knox Taylor Rehabilitated and restored by the City of Valdosta Rededicated in 2010 216 East Central . . . — — Map (db m197662) HM
S. M. Varnedoe was administrator of a ten-grade private school, the Valdosta Institute, 1865 - 70. Famous among its students was J. H. “Doc” Holiday. The Masons and several churches also used the institute as a meeting place. After the . . . — — Map (db m21875) HM
The waiting station erected for the ladies at South Ga. State Normal College (in 1950, Valdosta State College), is all that remains of the streetcar system. The electric railroad was begun in 1899 to accommodate the 1900 State Fair at Pine Park . . . — — Map (db m109800) HM
Unity Presbyterian Church organized in 1828 with the Rev. Thos. Archibald, pastor. Buried here are early settlers, one Revolutionary War soldier, two War of 1812 soldiers, and three Civil War soldiers. — — Map (db m8966) HM
Built in 1946 as the first “Road Switcher” of its type in U.S. Columbus and Greenville Railway’s first diesel powered locomotive. Retired in 1984 after thirty-eight years on freight and passenger trains. — — Map (db m8457) HM
The Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church became part of the Tombecbee Presbytery in 1825 and joined the New Hope Cumberland Presbytery in 1866. The cemetery was established in 1827 and contains the graves of many veterans. The date Beersheba . . . — — Map (db m8477) HM
Congregation established in 1834 by William Ervin, Elizabeth and Drennon Love, James Ervin, Rosamond Odeneal and Thomas and Margaret E. Witherspoon. These Scots-Irish pioneers from Alabama and the Carolinas settled here after the Choctaw Cession of . . . — — Map (db m8484) HM
Here in 1862 Confederacy built huge arsenal employing over 1000 persons. Later one of buildings became original site of Union Academy, first free public school for Negroes in Columbus. — — Map (db m8553) HM
Dedicated in 1863. This is the oldest Catholic Church in NE Miss. It once served a parish that included Corinth & Meridian. The design for the Gothic structure was conceived by Fr. J. B. Mouton, the first pastor. — — Map (db m8486) HM
Originally, 1817-21, known as Possum Town. Became one of richest cities in old Black Prairie cotton belt. Home of state's first free school and M.S.C.W. — — Map (db m8487) HM
The Black Prairies of eastern Mississippi have produced a number of notable blues musicians, including Howlin’ Wolf, Bukka White, and Big Joe Williams. Activity in Columbus, the largest city in the region, centered around areas such as this block of . . . — — Map (db m27607) HM
Began here, April 25, 1866, with first annual placing of flowers on graves of Blue and Gray. Idea originated at meeting in Twelve Gables home of Miss Matt Morton. — — Map (db m8552) HM
The first "laboratory" school for teacher training in the state was established in 1907 by the faculty of Industrial Institute and College (1884), now Mississippi University for Women, the first public college for women in America. The present . . . — — Map (db m8554) HM
Dennis Wicks, Jr. designated land in the early 1900’s to build a pond for family members to water their livestock. The pond was called Wicks Pond. He also donated a water pump for clean drinking water.
Dennis Wicks, Jr.
November 17, 1883 ~ . . . — — Map (db m178992) HM
Organized in 1832 by Thomas Blewett, with Rev. A.S. Bayley serving as the first pastor (1832-1834), this church has erected two sanctuaries. The first was built here in 1838, and the second, this Gothic Revival-style structure designed by Reuben . . . — — Map (db m69565) HM
Founded, 1839, through efforts of Talbert Fanning and David Lipscomb. Present structure, erected 1849-50, housed refugee State Senate in Civil War. Here Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterways Agreement was signed in 1958. — — Map (db m8555) HM
One of America's leading playwrights, Tennessee Williams was born here March 26, 1911. He received the Pulitzer Prize for "Streetcar Named Desire" and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Both stories set in the South. — — Map (db m8556) HM
Oldest church organization in Columbus, dating from 1831. Second structure, built in 1844, became synagogue after building of present church, 1860-1867. — — Map (db m8557) HM
State's oldest free school. Has functioned since 1821. Worthy trustees, using 16th section income & employing able teachers, early made Columbus a cultural center in northeast Mississippi. — — Map (db m8582) HM
SW, 12 blocks. Two state governors, over 1,000 C.S.A. soldiers, including 4 generals, lie here. The decorating of their graves & those of Union soldiers, inspired F.M. Finch's "The Blue and the Gray." 1867. — — Map (db m8583) HM
Henry Armstrong, born Henry Jackson in this area in 1912, began his professional boxing career in 1931. Armstrong became the only boxer to hold world titles simultaneously in three weight divisions. He was named boxer of the year in 1937 and 1938 . . . — — Map (db m13902) HM
James “Jim” Wicks designated land in the early 1900’s to build a school to educate family members. The school was named Wicks Normal School.
James “Jim” Wicks
February 20, 1867 ~ January 2, 1939 — — Map (db m178993) HM
Built by Thomas Blewett circa 1840 for daughter Regina and James Harrison, leading lawyer and politician. Site of 1865 marriage and home of Stephen D. and Regina Harrison Lee. — — Map (db m8584) HM
Joshua Lawrence Meador was born in 1911 in Greenwood, Mississippi, and moved here at age seven. Meador worked for Walt Disney Productions from 1936 to 1965 as head of the effects department. His film credits include Snow White, Fantasia, Bambi, . . . — — Map (db m64694) HM
Built in 1953, the S.D. Lee High School
was designed by Jackson architect R. W. Naef
in the International Style. Named for former
Confederate general Stephen D. Lee, Lee High
School was constructed in the early phases of
the Equalization . . . — — Map (db m244671) HM
[Center] Dedicated to the honor and memory of our men and women of Lowndes County who served our country
World War II ★ Korea ★ Vietnam ★ World War I
[Left wing] In honor of those who gave their lives . . . — — Map (db m244667) WM
Remember WWI Veterans
This gate, a symbol of remembrance, is dedicated to the men and women of Lowndes County who served their country in the World War 1917-1918.
Erected November 11, 1933 by Tombigbee Unit No. 69 American Legion Auxiliary . . . — — Map (db m244666) WM
Built by War Department 1817-20, to connect New Orleans with Nashville. Suggested by & named for Gen. Andrew Jackson. Soon became an important commercial & telegraph route. — — Map (db m8585) HM
Organized by enslaved people in
1833, Missionary Union Baptist
Church is among the oldest black
congregations in northeast
Mississippi. After emancipation,
the church was chartered in 1867
during the pastorate of Rev. Jesse
Freeman Boulden. . . . — — Map (db m244670) HM
The oldest state supported woman's college (1884) in the United States. It pioneered in adding vocational subjects to standard arts-science program. — — Map (db m8586) HM
Established in 1833 when James and Susannah Vaughn donated 5.7 acres of land to the Mt. Pleasant congregation. After Judge John Perkins donated an adjacent 5-acre plot to the congregation in 1851, the church was moved and the original site was . . . — — Map (db m20116) HM
In September 1966, six local African American
women integrated the Mississippi State College for
Women. Undergraduate students Diane Hardy,
Barbara Turner, and Laverne Greene, and graduate
students Jacqueline Edwards, Mary Flowers, and
Eula . . . — — Map (db m244664) HM
Ned Wicks designated land to build a church in the early 1900’s for family members to worship the Lord. The church is called New Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Ned Wicks
August 1849 ~ circa 1929 — — Map (db m178995) HM
6 mi. N. at mouth of Tibbee and ford in Tombigbee is site of old Indian village, fort, and cotton trading center. Incorporated 1836, but declined with river trade. Now a wilderness.
(supplement)
This sign was originally posted (1952) . . . — — Map (db m178939) HM
The Queen City Hotel, located at this site, was once the cultural hub of the African American community in Columbus. Constructed in the 1880s, the building was opened as a hotel in 1914 by blues guitarist Robert Walker and later owned by Edward . . . — — Map (db m140700) HM
Front
For several decades beginning in the early 1900s, the Queen City Hotel, which stood across the street from this site, was at the center of a vibrant African American community along 7th Avenue North. Clubs and cafes in the area . . . — — Map (db m140699) HM
Opened 1820s. Ran from Jackson Military Road to Natchez Trace by way of Louisville, Doak's Stand & Choctaw Agency. For years it was only direct route from Columbus to Jackson. — — Map (db m28075) HM
The first rural consolidated school in Mississippi. The school was moved to this site in 1904 and flourished under the guidance of Professor B. G. Hull, who was principal until 1918. Due to the success of the school, Hull was recognized as a . . . — — Map (db m8622) HM
Home of Lt. Gen., C.S.A.; legislator; first president Miss A. & M. College; member Constitutional Convention of 1890; one of organizers of Vicksburg Military Park; Commander United Confederate Veterans; military historian. — — Map (db m8623) HM
