On Cabot Avenue at Dwight, Winona, & Lakefront Aves. & Coolidge Cir., on the right when traveling north on Cabot Avenue.
Nichols came to Alabama City in 1894 to supervise construction of the Dwight Manufacturing Company. While serving as the mill's first agent, he planned and began a model mill village and was elected Mayor of Alabama City. — — Map (db m18578) HM
On 5th Avenue Northeast (U.S. 431) at Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 5th Avenue Northeast.
For thousands of years, two important Indian trade routes ran across what was to become Etowah County. The “High Town Path” ran from Charlestown, S.C. west to the Mississippi River, near Memphis, TN. The “Creek Path” begins . . . — — Map (db m39226) HM
On Gilbert Ferry Road SE (State Highway 77) north of Case Avenue SE, on the left when traveling north.
On 6/18/1942 the U.S. took possession of 36,300 acres in Etowah and adjoining St. Clair County to establish Alabama's first Chemical Warfare Center. The area was dedicated on 12/25/1942 and named for U.S. Army M/G William Luther Sibert, first Chief . . . — — Map (db m33304) HM
On 5th Avenue Northeast (U.S. 431) at Cleveland Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 5th Avenue Northeast.
Established as a supply camp by General Andrew Jackson, September 1813, on the banks of Big Wills Creek. It was here that Jackson directed the first campaign of the Creek War, and promoted Colonel John Coffee to Brigadier General and Captain Newton . . . — — Map (db m73993) HM
On 5th Avenue Northwest at 4th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 5th Avenue Northwest.
In the fall of 1902, Captain William Patrick Lay, of Gadsden, began construction of a small hydro electric generating plant at the site of Wesson Mill on Big Wills Creek, just southwest of Attalla. The plant was constructed, in Lay’s words, . . . — — Map (db m83730) HM
On 6th Avenue at 4th Street NW, on the right when traveling north on 6th Avenue.
In 1851 twelve Methodists met in Newton (later Attalla) to plan a Methodist Episcopal Church. A crude log building on North Fifth Street served as the first church. In 1861 and again in 1882 the church relocated on Fifth to accommodate the growing . . . — — Map (db m83731) HM
On Florida Short Route at Simmons Lane on Florida Short Route.
William Patrick Lay (1853-1940), founder of Alabama Power Company, built his first hydroelectric plant on Big Wills Creek about 2 miles east on Simmons Lane.
Lay purchased the Old Wesson Mill in 1902 and built a small hydroelectric generating . . . — — Map (db m73995) HM
On West Meighan Boulevard (U.S. 278) west of North 27th Street, on the right when traveling east.
1941 1945
This plaque dedicated to
and erected in honor of
The men and women of
Alabama City Alabama
who devotedly served
their country during
World War II — — Map (db m156366) WM
On West Meighan Boulevard (U.S. 278) west of North 27th Street, on the right when traveling east.
During the year of 1890, Capt. James M. Elliott, Jr., the famed riverboat captain and industrialist, began to draw up plans for a new town about two miles west of Gadsden. Elliott's dream was to develop the town as an industrial center and . . . — — Map (db m156368) HM
On Chestnut Street at South 9th Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street.
This stately Classic Revival house, built c. 1904, was the residence of Colonel Oliver Roland Hood (1867-1951), eminent Gadsden attorney and civic leader. Colonel Hood was one of the three incorporators of Alabama Power Company in 1906 and author of . . . — — Map (db m83732) HM
On Chestnut Street at South 8th Street, on the right when traveling west on Chestnut Street.
A religious school was organized in the Nadler home for the children of 10 Jewish families in 1903. From these roots came the first formal worship service in 1908.
The cornerstone for the sanctuary was laid on March 8, 1922 with both Jewish and . . . — — Map (db m51208) HM
On Marston Ave at Coolidge Circle, on the right on Marston Ave.
Dwight Manufacturing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts selected this site in Alabama City for a cotton mill in 1894. The Mill and the village covering 240 acres was constructed under the direction of Howard Gardner Nichols.
There were 160 . . . — — Map (db m18575) HM
On Chestnut Street at South 11th Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street.
The Eleventh Street School, built in 1907, was one of the earliest elementary schools in Gadsden. It is the only local surviving school building of that era.
This two-story red brick structure has solid masonry exterior walls and an entrance which . . . — — Map (db m83734) HM
On West Meighan Boulevard (Local Road 431) east of North 22nd Street, in the median.
Here girl heroine led Forrest’s (CSA) men across Black Creek on way to capture Streight’s (USA) raiders.
This saved the railroad supplying Confederate Army of Tennessee. — — Map (db m39131) HM
Near West Meighan Boulevard (Local Road 431) east of North 22nd Street, in the median.
Here on the morning of May 2, 1863 Emma Sansom braved the fire of Colonel Streight’s sharpshooters as she guided General Nathan Bedford Forrest and his gallant cavalrymen to the ford at this spot where they crossed Black Creek, at that time a raging . . . — — Map (db m39340) HM
On Broad Street at South 1st Street, in the median on Broad Street.
In memory of the Gadsden Alabama girl heroine Emma Sansom, who when the bridge across Black Creek had been burned by the enemy, mounted behind Gen. Forest and showed him a ford where his command crossed. He pursued and captured that enemy and . . . — — Map (db m12297) HM
World War I
Ables, Crawford
Aderholt, Carl
Atwood, Joe I.
Bagley, Hugh
Battles, Fred
Benton, Edwin J.
Berry, C.
Birchfield, Sam
Brewster, Everett
Buffington, Hugh G.
Bullard, Leo
Campbell, Earl C.
Cason, Floyd . . . — — Map (db m53844) WM
On Forrest Avenue at South 8th Street, on the right when traveling east on Forrest Avenue.
Created by state legislature on December 1, 1868 from territory taken from Cherokee, DeKalb, Marshall, Blount, St. Clair and Calhoun Counties, having originally been formed December 7, 1866 as Baine County in honor of Confederate hero David W. . . . — — Map (db m83735) HM
On South 1st Street south of Walnut Street, on the right when traveling north.
Through the efforts of local citizens, Benny Dean and Floyd Beddingfield, the City of Gadsden obtained this facility from American Legion Post Number 5 in 1985. Built in 1935, the amphitheater seats 1600 persons. Designed by local architect, Paul W. . . . — — Map (db m83736) HM
On South 1st Street, on the right when traveling north.
Built of local sandstone in 1935 on land obtained from the American Legion Post No. 5 this municipal amphitheatre seating about 1600 was constructed for staging theatrical and sporting events. Gadsden architect Paul W. Hofferbert designed the . . . — — Map (db m39140) HM
On Broad Street at North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Broad Street.
This Italianate brick commercial structure with a cast-iron storefront on the first floor is significant for its 24 year association with Gadsden’s principal newspaper. It was constructed in 1904 to house The Gadsden Times-News, which was . . . — — Map (db m39217) HM
On South 1st Street at Broad Street (U.S. 411), on the right when traveling north on South 1st Street.
Side A:
In the early 1840’s, John S. Moragne, along with Gabriel and Joseph Hughes, began surveying for a city on the banks of the Coosa River near the settlement of Double Springs. The new city would be located on 120 acres of land at the . . . — — Map (db m39139) HM
On Chestnut Street at South 9th Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street.
Built in 1886 for Edward Tracy Hollingsworth, a prominent merchant and banker, this two-story Victorian - style house with mansard roof is one of the few surviving examples of late-nineteenth century architecture in Gadsden. The original complex . . . — — Map (db m39134) HM
On North 1st Street at Locust Street, on the right when traveling north on North 1st Street.
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 intimidate . . . — — Map (db m116817) HM
On Loyalty Day this 30th day of April, 1967, we do pay honor and tribute to a great American
- Paul Harvey -
a man who has contributed much toward making this nation and especially Gadsden a better place to live. We salute a true champion of . . . — — Map (db m83737) HM
On South 1st Street at South 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north on South 1st Street.
On January 25, 1925 the Sisters acquired the 25 - bed Gadsden General Hospital on Chestnut Street and renamed it Holy Name of Jesus Hospital. The Hospital grew under the leadership of the Founders, Father Thomas A. Judge, C. M. and Mother Mary . . . — — Map (db m39141) HM
Near South Sixth Street, 0.2 miles south of Oak Street.
Established in 1826 as "The Colored Cemetery," this site is
the first and largest African-American cemetery in Gadsden.
In 1918, the Mosaic Templars of America, a fraternal
organization who provided African Americans with death and
burial . . . — — Map (db m167227) HM
White settlers in the hills of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina pushed the Cherokee Indian tribes into North Alabama. The Cherokee in turn encroached upon Creek Territory. There were sporadic battles between the . . . — — Map (db m83738) HM
The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church was organized on this site in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South of Gadsden, Alabama
November 16, 1870
Bishop Robert Paine, presiding
The Centennial Convocation of the Conference . . . — — Map (db m83739) HM
The surrounding area and this well was part of Turkey’s Town, once a capital of the proud Cherokee Nation. Chief Turkey was the principal chief during the late 1700’s.
On October 25, 1864, the Turkey Town Valley Expedition of the XV Corps Union . . . — — Map (db m83740) HM
On Forrest Avenue east of North 10 Street, on the right when traveling east.
This is the site of the family home of Gadsden native General William Luther Sibert who played a major role in the construction of the Panama Canal. While serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he was appointed chief engineer for the Atlantic . . . — — Map (db m39253) HM
On Alford Bend Road at Gilliland Street, on the right when traveling north on Alford Bend Road.
On the night of May 2nd and the morning of May 3rd, 1863, John Wisdom rode 67 miles, from Gadsden, Ala. To Rome, Ga. Under very harassing conditions, to warn the citizens of Col. A. D. Streight’s proposed march to burn and sack the city, Rome being . . . — — Map (db m41001) HM
On Rainbow Drive (U.S. 411) at Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east on Rainbow Drive.
Oldest church in Etowah County. Organized Saturday, April 2, 1831, at Harmony Meeting
House, which was built in 1821, by Edmond Jones at this location.
It was here that the Wills Creek Baptist Association was organized in 1836, Harmony
being . . . — — Map (db m205239) HM
On Rainbow Drive (U.S. 411) east of Peteet Street, on the right when traveling east.
In the summer of 1784 William Jones and his two young sons were among a group of families from Georgia making their way through this area following the Old High Town Path. They camped here near a large spring and planned to continue their journey . . . — — Map (db m156371) HM
On Rainbow Drive (U.S. 411) east of Peteet Street, on the right when traveling east.
The lone survivor being Edmond Jones, 5 year old son of William and Hannah Humphries Jones, who later gave the land for the cemetery. — — Map (db m156398) HM
On Church Street north of Mission Street, on the right when traveling south.
Sardis community derived its name from Sardis Baptist Church which was founded in 1882 on another site. There were 20 charter members. They met in a brush arbor until a building was completed in 1887, at this site. The church was a wooden, box frame . . . — — Map (db m156365) HM
