Click here and join me as I go for a ride in one of the Old South’s most dangerous cities! In today’s micro adventure I travel to one of the Old South’s most dangerous cities, …
Click here and join me on another Epic Micro Adventure as I discover a mass grave site for coal miners from the 1800’s! Then I’ll visit the site of ruined Coke Ovens – you’ll just …
Click here and Join me on another micro adventure as I discover the Tannehill Furnace once used to supply iron for Confederate ordinance! My latest micro adventure that I’m calling – Taking Random Roads Ends …
Click here and join me on another epic adventure as I go Urban Hiking in West Blocton, Alabama, a coal mining town once known for lawlessness! In my latest adventure I visit West Blocton, Alabama, …
Click here and join me on another micro adventure as I explore the Heart of Dixie train museum and so much more! My latest rural exploration micro adventure has it all – beautiful countrysides, old …
In today’s micro adventure I travel to one of the Old South’s most dangerous cities, I’m calling it – Riding in One of the OLD SOUTH’S most DANGEROUS cities! Ep – 38.
Whenever I explore cities like this I always wonder what things were like in their prime. But I also live in hops that one day they will see a revival.
While the crime rate in the most dangerous cites in America might be high we all know that the majority of the population are great people. They are hard workers making a living for their family. Typically the crime is subjected to certain parts of a city.
While traveling in Old Southern cities like this I have always felt very safe. The people have been nice etc…
That’s why I hope for a revival in many of these old southern cities.
So I hope you enjoy my latest adventure in the Old South that I’m calling – Riding in One of the OLD SOUTH’S most DANGEROUS cities! Ep – 38
In my latest micro adventure that I’m calling, 1800’s Coal Miner Mass Graves Found near Coke Ovens and Once Lawless Town of West Blocton! Ep-38, I travel back to the 1800’s once lawless town of West Blocton in Bibb County, Alabama.
While there I find the 1800’s Italian Catholic cemetery. According to internment.com – Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery was placed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 22, 1999. History
In the late 19th Century, hundreds of Italians immigrated to Bibb County, Alabama to work in the coalmines of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company (TCI). In spite of segregation and discrimination, these immigrants established a thriving and vibrant community in Blocton, Alabama. In addition to their own community known as Little Italy, the Italian immigrants founded St. Francis of Assisi Church and later, the the Catholic cemetery.
Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery was established in 1896 and consecrated in 1901. It was used until 1970. The cemetery is located in what was then the coal mining community of Blocton, a town developed by TCI.
Little Italy, the immigrant’s separate community, was located northeast of the cemetery, straddling a railroad spur which served the Klondike Mine and TCl’s #3,6, and 9 mines.
The Italian Catholic Cemetery contains approximately 86 monuments of modest range and variety, representing over 100 Italian family names.
Then I travel to a very interesting ruins site in Bibb County near West Blocton known as Coke Oven Park. Cokeovenpark.com has this to say – Originally opened in 1996, the West Blocton Coke Ovens Park is situated among the ruins of 467 ovens that were capable of producing 600 tons of coke daily. Construction on the ovens began in 1887 and the first coke was produced in 1888. The Blocton ovens complex was once one of the largest of its kind in the state.
Coke is one of the three ingredients needed to make iron in a blast furnace, the others being iron ore and limestone. Coal was top-loaded into the ovens, heated to 2,800 degrees to burn off impurities, leaving coke which is almost pure carbon.
Then I travel back to the once Lawless 1800’s town of West Blocton to eat at the Tiger Hut!
Hope you enjoy my latest micro adventure that I’m calling – 1800’s Coal Miner Mass Graves Found near Coke Ovens and Once Lawless Town of West Blocton! Ep-38
My latest micro adventure that I’m calling – Taking Random Roads Ends in a Hike – And I Find This! Provided Iron for Confederate Ordinance? Ep-32 – I find a little of everything! Barns, beautiful countryside, old homes, new homes some abandoned, vacant, lived in – you can decide.
After taking a bunch of random roads I end up at Tannehill State Park for an early morning hike. While hiking I come across the massive structure known as the Tannehill Furnace, which helped provide iron for Confederate Ordinance.
Here’s what wikipedia has to say: The Tannehill Ironworks is the central feature of Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park near the unincorporated town of McCalla in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Tannehill Furnace, it was a major supplier of iron for Confederate ordnance.
Tannehill State Park has many rustic period cabins to rent as well the state park website has this to say: The park has 7 rental cabins. 6 are rustic log cabins from the 1800s that have been moved into the park and restored. The Nelson House is a trailer that has been converted to a cabin. All the cabins have a furnished kitchen, living room with a fireplace, bathroom, heat and air-conditioning.* One rack of firewood is furnished per stay Labor Day until Memorial Day. Additional firewood may be purchased at the Country Store. There are no TVs, radios or telephones in the cabins. Cabins are intended for overnight use only. Rental for parties or entertainment purposes is prohibited.
So, I hope you enjoy my latest micro adventure that I’m calling – Taking Random Roads Ends in a Hike – And I Find This! Provided Iron for Confederate Ordinance? Ep-32
In my latest adventure I visit West Blocton, Alabama, once described as a lawless coal mining town. I’m calling this one, West Blocton – Once Described as Lawless Coal Mining Town! Urban Hiking Ep-37.
Yes, all the usual suspects are in this one as well – barns, beautiful country landscapes, what appears to be some abandoned, uninhabited or vacant homes – but as usual you get to decide what you think on those!
Here’s what the Encyclopedia of Alabama’s website has to say about West Blocton: West Blocton sprang up in the late nineteenth century near mines owned by the Cahaba Coal Company. It was the fastest-growing town in the coal-mining district and had the reputation for lawlessness. It first was dubbed Suttletown after an early store owner in the area, then Smith, and finally West Blocton to differentiate it from the nearby town of Blocton, which no longer exists. Both towns supposedly derived their names from the huge intact blocks of coal, some weighing as much as a ton, that were removed from the mine. West Blocton was incorporated in 1901. Several businesses quickly opened, including in 1901 a dispensary that gave half of its profits to the town. Other businesses included dry goods stores, a stable a photographer, and so on. A rudimentary water system was available by 1902, and the first public school opened in 1903. The first post office opened in 1904. The town was notable for its large Jewish community, which had largely disappeared by the 1920s. In 1903, West Blocton was hit by a tornado, then by a flood in 1916, and then by a major fire in 1927. The town rebuilt each time. In 1935, the town’s high school was declared structurally unsound and a new one was built.
The Historical Marker Database site notes what’s on the historical marker at the beginning of the town – West Blocton began as a business and residential community adjoining the Cahaba Coal Mining Company’s town of Blocton in 1883-84. West Blocton incorporated in 1901. Eugene D. Reynolds was the first mayor, 1901-1904, followed by Dr. L.E. Peacock, 1904-1906. A son of Italian Immigrants, Frank T. Ferrire, has been the longest serving mayor, 1965-1984. West Blocton was the commercial center of the southern Cahaba coal field serving the neighboring company towns and mining camps of Belle Ellen, Piper, Lucille, Gurnee, Coleanor, Garnsey, Galloway, Marvel, Moffatt, Masena, Braehead, Red Eagle and Hargrove. Economic opportunity attracted a diverse population. An Italian Catholic Cemetery lies just east of town and the League of Brothers Synagogue was built on Main Street in 1905. Bibb County’s first bank, the Blocton Savings Bank was established in 1892. By 1910, West Blocton boasted of 55 businesses including a newspaper, bottling works, hotels, general stores, lawyers, doctors, photographers, shoemaker, tailor and dentist offices. West Blocton is now the home of the Cahaba Lily Festival.
My latest rural exploration micro adventure has it all – beautiful countrysides, old barns, vacant, abandoned and uninhabited stuff – but you decide that! But then I come up on the unexpected train graveyard/museum! It’s the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum!
I’m calling this one Unexpected Find in Shelby County, Alabama? Train Graveyard/Museum? Rural Exploration Ep – 32!
This one has your usual suspects – old barns, beautiful countrysides, rural landscapes. You can decide if they are abandoned, uninhabited or just vacant or lived in!
But the unexpected find is the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. It was waaay more than expected! The Heart of Dixie Railroad museum is located in Calera, Alabama in Shelby County just outside of Birmingham. The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum has a ton of old cars to see and photograph.
As per the Heart of Dixie railroad museum website:
As the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama our museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauge trains, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and an outdoor collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses. Our exhibits, operating railroads, and educational programs function as both a unique means of tourism and recreation, and also a way to preserve the rich history of Alabama and our nation.
So I hope you like my latest Rural Exploration micro adventure that’s all about the usual suspects and this time the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum/Graveyard!
Join me on an Early Ride in Jefferson County, Alabama in a short film I’m calling, What I found on an Early Ride in Jefferson County – Rural Exploration Ep-30!
Ever wonder where a road goes? That’s what we do! If we see a road and wonder where it goes – we go and find out. In doing so we often find incredible landscapes, rural landscapes and all that goes along with a ride in the country.
In this rural exploration video we’ll find some incredible stuff… Beautiful country homes, horses, old cars and trucks and a few barns! Abandoned? Vacant? Uninhabited? You decide on this micro adventure in Jefferson County, Alabama!
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, located in the central portion of the state. As of the 2020 census, its population was 674,721. Its county seat is Birmingham. Wikipedia Area: 1,124 mi² Founded: December 13, 1819 Population: 667,820 (2021) County seat: Birmingham Colleges and Universities: University of Alabama at Birmingham, MORE
In my latest micro adventure I go rural exploring at sunset in Jefferson County, Alabama with my Yellow Lab once again!
I’m calling this one, What I found at sunset in Jefferson County, AL. Missing person poster and more…
In the middle of nowhere I find a missing person poster detailing Terry J Gilbert – https://www.wbrc.com/2021/09/10/tuscaloosa-county-deputies-search-man-missing-since-july/
At the time of this posting I can’t tell if he was ever found.
The rest of this rural exploration video we’ll find barns, old country homes and much more. Abandoned? Uninhabited? Vacant? You’ll have to decide.
This beautiful rural countryside is mostly located in Jefferson County, Alabama near Birmingham.
So I hope you like my latest micro adventure as I go rural exploring with my yellow lab in one I’m calling, What I found at sunset in Jefferson County, AL. Missing person poster and more…
Old barns! Rural landscapes! Beautiful homes! Abandoned homes! Vacant homes! Homes that are lived in daily! Horses! Tractors! This one has it all for those that love the country!
This series – Rural Exploration, was inspired by those long slow country rides my family would take on a Sunday afternoon. So I hope you like my latest ride in the country, a micro adventure that I’m calling – Found in Jefferson County? Beautiful barns, homes and so much more! Rural Exploration Ep – 28!
In this micro adventure I find beautiful rural barns, ma and pop grocery stores, old homes – some appear to be vacant homes, abandoned homes, vacated homes and some lived in daily!
All of this is was found in Jefferson County, Alabama, while exploring roads I’d never been on for the most part.
So I hope you enjoy my latest rural exploration short film with – Old barns! Rural landscapes! Beautiful homes! Abandoned homes! Vacant homes! Homes that are lived in daily! Horses! Tractors! That I’m calling – Found in Jefferson County? Beautiful barns, homes and so much more! Rural Exploration Ep – 28!
In my latest micro adventure I find myself eventually getting lost somewhere in Bibb County, Alabama – I’m calling it – Lost in Bibb County, Alabama – But Saw Some Cool Scenery!
On this micro adventure I decided to do a little rural exploration… Loaded up my Yellow Lab and eventually got lost in Bibb County, Alabama! But before the GPS helped find our way home we got to see a lot of cool scenery.
Some of the scenery on this micro adventure into Bibb County, Alabama was either vacant, abandoned, or uninhabited – you’ll need to decide for yourself.
This is another rural micro adventured inspired from my childhood a my family would often take long Sunday drives in the country.
The official Bibb County website has this to say:
Bibb County was created through an act of the Alabama Territorial Legislature on February 7, 1818, one year before Alabama was officially named and became part of the United States.Originally called Cahawba County, named after the river that runs through it, the county was renamed Bibb County in 1820 to honor Alabama’s first Governor, William Wyatt Bibb. Before settlers moved to the area, it was populated by the Creek Indians of the Upper Towns, who lived along the banks of the Cahaba and its tributaries.To the south, Bibb is bordered by many historical “black belt” counties, and is known for its recreational opportunities along the Cahaba River and within the Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee District.
During the nineteenth century, Bibb County was a noted iron, coal, and lumber center. Lumber production boomed in the twentieth century and timber products remain a mainstay of today’s economy.Bibb County has a thriving health care community, consisting of a rural hospital, nursing home, attached retirement community, specialty medical clinics, and a physician training program attached to the University of Alabama Birmingham.
· Founding Date: February 7, 1818· Area: 626 square miles· Population: 22,572 (2016 Census estimate)· Major Waterways: Cahaba River, Little Cahaba River· Major Highways: U.S. 82· County Seat: Centreville· Largest City: Brent
So I hope you like my latest Rural Exploration micro adventure – Lost in Bibb County, Alabama – But Saw Some Cool Scenery!
In my latest micro adventure that I’m calling, Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park? – Montevallo, Alabama – I find these mysterious tree carvings in a small park.
While urban hiking I discovered this small park in Montevallo, Alabama with quite a few tree carvings.
While it’s probably not mysterious to those that lived there, I have no idea who did all these or why? But I did find some them to be creepy as well.
Overall it was a great day for urban hiking in Montevallo, Alabama and to find this park was just icing on the cake.
According to Wikipedia’s website:
The area where Montevallo is now was once controlled by the Creek Indians. After being acquired in 1814 Jesse Wilson claimed a small hill on the northern bank of Wilson’s Creek by the present Montevallo City Cemetery and created a homestead there, making it the oldest settlement in Shelby County. Wilson’s friends and family followed afterwards and also settled in the area, and a settlement known as Wilson’s Hill developed on the site. The settlement’s location at almost the exact center of Alabama meant it was considered one of the potential sites for the University of Alabama. In an attempt to encourage the university to choose the site the settlement changed its name to Montevallo, which is Italian for the hill in the valley.
Montevallo was used by local farmers as a market town where they could sell and package their produce. It was incorporated as a city in 1848. In 1853 a railway was built between Montevallo and Selma which allowed further economic growth to Montevallo and in 1856 a coal mine was created nearby leading to further growth.
During the American Civil War, Union troops under the command of James H. Wilson camped in Montevallo in the spring of 1865 and skirmished with Confederates near the railroad depot. After the war, commercial life and growth was dominated by the coal mine owned by Truman Aldrich who leased the mine and attempted to increase production in response to the growing iron industry in the region and the growing city of Birmingham. Starting in 1890, company owned worker housing was built in Montevallo to house miners. Main Hall, Montevallo
In the early 1890s, residents of Montevallo entered the city in a competition to be selected for the site of the Alabama Girl’s Industrial School (later the University of Montevallo) a technical college for white women, raising funds to purchase land and antebellum buildings for the college they won and the college was founded in Montevallo in 1896. Commerce and economic growth increased in Montevallo after the establishment of the college, which was renamed Alabama College in 1919, started admitting men in 1956 and started admitting African Americans in 1968 and became the modern liberal arts University of Montevallo. The university became the main source of commerce in Montevallo and money generated by it was used by the municipal government to build schools. The university also allowed the community some stability during the Great Depression. It quickly took over the coal mine as the major employer in Montevallo, the coal mine closing in 1946.[4][5]
So I hope you like my latest micro adventure – Mysterious Tree Carvings of Orr Park? – Montevallo, Alabama.
