Montgomery County Archives

In light of Montgomery, Alabama's 2018 Camilia Bowl football game, played on December 15, 2018, this episode discusses the history of Montgomery's Cramton Bowl stadium.

In this episode we continue our series on Influential Montgomerians by discussing Alabama’s first African American politician, James T. Rapier. We explore the life of Rapier, including his time in Florence, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; and Buxton, Ontario, Canada. We also focus on his education in Canada, as well as abroad in Scotland. Furthermore we examine his return to Alabama to become a leader in the Republican Party and career as a successful politician and labor organizer.

Sources: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/rapier-james-thomas-1837-1883

http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3272

https://www.biography.com/people/james-t-rapier-40910

Music: www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of In the Stacks, we begin a series on Influential Montgomerians by discussing one of the earliest white settlers of Montgomery, Abraham Mordecai. We follow Mordecai’s life from his Jewish background in Philadelphia and his service in the American Revolution, the war of 1812, and the Creek Wars of 1813-14. We also explore his relationship with the Creek Indians as a trader and his role in developing the Cotton industry in the Montgomery area.

In the Stacks: Episode 17: Cottage Hill by Montgomery County Archives

In this episode we take a look into the lives of two of Montgomery’s most influential residents of the 19th century, Dr. William O. Baldwin and James Hale. We discuss the unusual connection between the two men and their role in within the city’s rich History.

Sources:

http://www.alabamapioneers.com/biography-william-owen-baldwin-m-d-born-1818-photograph/

https://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/03/the_story_behind_4_historic_ho.html

https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&localeSubcountryName=Alabama&query=%2Bgivenname%3A%22James%20H.%22~%20%2Bsurname%3AHale~%20%2Brecord_country%3A%22United%20States%22%20%2Brecord_subcountry%3A%22United%20States%2CAlabama%22

https://books.google.com/books?id=vZQ3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA659&dq=james+hale+alabama&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj1wKP02L_cAhWI3VMKHeYDA8U4ChDoAQg3MAM#v=onepage&q=james%20hale%20alabama&f=false

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAjv0FXvRQ

https://books.google.com/books?id=RVDJRbURtRMC&pg=PA369&lpg=PA369&dq=james+hale+montgomery&source=bl&ots=fpIONNN6F8&sig=97KU4njXXwK65oWFlh-oXQbar-8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFsMm8_pTcAhVPmeAKHSRiBDo4FBDoAQhJMAo#v=onepage&q=james%20hale%20montgomery&f=false

http://www.in2013dollars.com/1888-dollars-in-2018?amount=50000

http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3282

https://books.google.com/books?id=aIO4Ci9eYrEC&pg=PA29&dq=james+hale+montgomery+alabama&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi68aut6sncAhXL7VMKHfXmAHIQ6AEIODAD#v=onepage&q=james%20hale%20montgomery%20alabama&f=false

http://theatremontgomery.blogspot.com/2011/02/asf-blood-divided.html

Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of In the Stacks, we present a discussion with the staff of the Montgomery County Archives, featuring County Archivist Dallas Hanbury, volunteer Taylor Smith, and Intern David Cook. The interview focuses on how the three developed their interest in archives and what they think can be done to help others develop an interest as well.

In this Episode of In the Stacks, we discuss how Montgomery became the permanent site of the Alabama State Capital. We begin by discussing how St. Stephens became the original home of the state capital before it briefly moved to Huntsville. We then examine the turbulent time it spent in the town of Cahaba that led to it being moved to Tuscaloosa and the politics that led to it finding a home in Montgomery.

Sources: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1674 http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2498

http://www.archives.state.al.us/capital/capitals.html http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1543

http://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/history/constitutions/1819/1819all.html

http://www.alabamapioneers.com/chandelier-falls-in-alabama-capital-on-first-session/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNsu55CSTSY

Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of In the Stacks we discuss Revolutionary War General Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Alabama in 1825, including Montgomery. Lafayette’s visit to the young state was part of a grand tour of the United States to honor the general, the last surviving general of the American Revolution. The visit was important to Alabama for many reasons, including its unifying affect on the young state.

Sources: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2152

Levasseur, Auguste. Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825; or Journal of a Voyage to the United States. Translated by John D. Godman. New York: Research Reprints, 1970

Music: www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of In the Stacks we discuss the aviation history of Montgomery, Alabama. We discuss the flying school opened by the Wright Brothers in Montgomery and how that site would later become Maxwell Air Force Base.

Sources:

http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1337

http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1364

Music: www.purple-planet.com

In this episode we discuss the Montgomery County Courthouse and the upcoming 60th anniversary if its opening. We discuss historic moments that occurred within the Courthouse and basic facts about the building.

Sources:

http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/cdm/singleitem/collection/photo/id/9809/rec/393

http://digital.archives.alabama.gov/cdm/singleitem/collection/amg/id/36231/rec/419

https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/13000894.htm

Music: www.purple-planet.com