“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson
Demopolis Historical Walk
December 1, 2016 – Thursday
We played tourist today by walking into town, taking pictures, and conversing with the locals. One gentleman, Mr. Bird, suggested that we visit his father’s farm in Forkland, AL, about ten miles away. I don’t think we’ll be able to visit but I did look it up on the web, Hay Art in Forkland, definitely a different art form.
A little from Mother Nature on our way into town.
MockingbirdNice day for a dip in the river.Situated on historic White Bluff overlooking the Tombigbee River. Bluff Hall was built in 1832 by slaves of Allen Glover for his daughter, Sarah Serena, and her husband Francis Strother Lyon. Lawyer and planter, F.S. Lyon, served in both the Confederate and the United States congresses. Frequent war-time visitors in his house were General Leonidas Polk and General Zachary Deas. – Alabama Historical MarkerPart of Bluff Hall, currently a gift shop.Cabin located behind Bluff HallBuilt during 1843-1861, Gaineswood evolved from a two-room “dogtrot” cabin into a Greek Revival style mansion. General Nathan Bryan Whitfield, the builder, was his own architect, though he had no formal training. The labor was done mostly by slaves, some of whom were extremely accomplished carpenters and plasterers. Three styles of Greek architecture are represented in the house: Doric-style outside, Ionic for the interior, and Corinthian in the drawing room. Gaineswood contains much of its original furnishings as well as several inventions of the builder. – Rural SW ALGaineswood GatehouseThis is one of the oldest buildings in Demopolis. It was built in 1843 by the Presbyterians of Demopolis using locally-made bricks. It served as their sanctuary until after the Civil War. During the reconstruction period, a garrison of Federal troops, stationed in Demopolis, moved the county seat from Linden, AL, and used this building for a courthouse. – Rural SW ALThe Laird Cottage is a restored 1870 residence with Greek Revival and Italianate style. The building now serves as the headquarters of the Marengo County Historical Society. It has a museum that contains exhibits and works of Geneva Mercer, national and international acclaimed sculptor and painter from the nearby community of Jefferson. – Rural SW ALWho remembers Coca Cola for a nickel?
And on our way back to Andiamo, a little more from Mother Nature.
