Download/print Driving Tour Guide
Transcription
Download/print Driving Tour Guide
Twelve historical sites in Gardendale, Alabama, are featured on a driving tour April 22-May 6, 2016. Signs with brief descriptions of historical significance are placed at each address. DRIVING TOUR Driving tour maps will be available at the Gardendale Martha Moore Public Library April 22 - May 6, at the Magnolia Festival Welcome Tent April 23, and online: magnoliafestival.org. SITE 1: 205 Fieldstown Road Former Site of James Kimmons’ Store (current site of CVS) The store was one of the first stores in Gardendale, originally constructed in 1890. The original structure no longer stands. This store had many historical ties to the local community. Jugtown Turnaround, an original play about how Gardendale changed its name from Jugtown in 1906, centers around this store. SITE 2: 100 Fieldstown Road KIMMONS’ STORE Former site of James Kimmons Home (current site of Walgreens) Built in 1890, the house was home to the Kimmons family. It was eventually demolished when a shopping center was built in the fifties. KIMMONS’ HOME SITE 3: 939 Main Street Established with 27 members on September 30, 1876, the church was originally named Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church, then named Gardendale Baptist Church. The church was renamed on October 19, 1956 to Gardendale First Baptist Church. The congregation moved three times and now has two locations in Gardendale. The first is across the street, GFBC’s South campus. The second, GFBC’s North Campus, is located at 316 Mountain Crest Parkway. SITES 1-3 OF 12 GARDENDALE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DRIVING TOUR SITE 4: 704 Main Street First Gardendale Post Office The first Gardendale post office opened its doors in 1935. It was originally located on Main Street where Gardendale High School currently sits. Prior to the establishment of this post office, the citizens of Gardendale had to send and receive mail through the post office in the town of Morris, just north of Gardendale. GARDENDALE POST OFFICE SITE 5: 489 Tarrant Road Moore Home Well known for the large stone structure in the front yard of the property, the structure was created as a cistern for an irrigation system by Mr. William Moore. The tank, made of fieldstones, collected rainwater as well as run-off water from the house and gutter which was piped out to his turnip fields. William and his wife, Mary, were instrumental in starting Pineywood Baptist Church. The Moore’s son, Ray Moore, served two terms as a Jefferson County Commissioner. He was also a Baptist minister. SITE 6: 795 Tarrant Rd. MOORE HOME Mickwee Store and Home Built in 1902, the general store doubled as a home for the Mickwee family. Kahlil Mikwee purchased the property from Mr. Frank Cole in 1920. Steven and Jeanie Phillips renovated the house in 1989 and it serves as their current MICKWEE STORE AND HOME residence. A school teacher changed the last name to Mickwee because she felt it was a more correct spelling. KAHLIL MIKWEE THIS PICTURE IS IN AN EXHIBIT IN THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE ABOUT ARABIC IMMIGRANTS OWNING BUSINESSES IN AMERICA The Mickwee’s were known for their generous hearts. Mr. Mickwee was a peddler who rode the train between cities and took orders for goods he sold in his store. While riding the train, he would make friends with the homeless and other travelers on the train. Often, he would send them to the side of his house where Mrs. Mickwee would leave food on a window sill in their home to help folks that were down on their luck eat without having to ask for food. Mama Mickwee would serve lunches on the counter, and accounts were “carried” through the depression. SITES 4-6 OF 12 DRIVING TOUR continued: SITE 6: 795 Tarrant Rd. Mickwee Store and Home Daughter, Feiza Mickwee, ran the store alone after Nazeria “Mama” Mickwee died in 1949 where she continued her parent’s generosity toward the community. While restoring the buildings, the current owners of the property, the Phillips family, discovered several letters to Feiza Mickwee, who lived in the home after the passing of her parents. The letters were written by Ursuline nuns all over the country thanking Feiza for her support. SITE 7: 1236 Main Street One of the Earliest Homes One of the oldest homes still standing in Gardendale, located at the corner of McCarty and Main Street. The house was built in 1875 and remodeled around 1959. This photograph shows the original house. ONE OF THE EARLIEST HOMES SITE 8: 116 Payne Road Thompson Home A man of German descent that lived in Cullman, Alabama, constructed the home in 1910. However, the gentleman who built the home never lived in it. Instead, S.T. Thompson acquired and was the first occupant of the home beginning in 1919. The home has remained in the Thompson family and is currently owned by Katherine Thompson Grimes. THOMPSON HOME SITE 9: 2328 North Rd Elkhead Tourist Court Formerly an important service station with a restaurant attached to it and cabins on the hill. Many travelers that passed through the city relied on service stations similar to Elkhead in order to have a place to stay and rest before continuing on their travels. Carys Tourist Court and Elkhead Tourist Court faced each other. ELKHEAD TOURIST COURT SITES 7-9 OF 12 DRIVING TOUR SITE 10: 2436 Ebenezer Lane Former Ebeneezer Methodist Church (currently occupied by Revealed Word Worship Center) This church was constructed in 1860 on Snow Rogers Road. Built on an acre of land, the site for the church building was donated by John and Susan Belcher to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. EBENEEZER METHODIST CHURCH SITE 11: 2636 Snow Rogers Rd Snow Rogers Community House This facility was the result of the Work Progress Administration (WPA) established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The community house, constructed in 1939, was built by many of the 9,000 unemployed people of Jefferson County. The government created jobs for the unemployed by having them work to improve school buildings, roads, and to help improve the National Park areas. The government invested $2 million into Public buildings and grounds. SNOW ROGERS COMMUNITY HOUSE SITE 12: 7027 Church Rd Former Friendship United Methodist Church (currently owned by Friendship Community Church) This was the first church within the city limits of Gardendale, established in 1837. This is the fourth building the church occupied since its establishment. The original church building was constructed in log cabin style. It was used as a school building during the weekdays and as a church on Sundays. When the church was originally built, John Belcher donated land for the church at $1 an acre. In addition, the L&N Railroad Company donated land to the church for its cemetery. SITES 10-12 OF 12 FORMER FRIENDSHIP UMC DRIVING TOUR There are many historic sites in the Gardendale area, and here are two more! If you would like more information on interesting sites in Gardendale, visit the Gardendale Historical Society Museum at 175 Bell Street or contact Gardendale Historian Kermit Dooley at [email protected]. Snow Rogers School: 2636 Snow Rogers Road Gardendale’s oldest school, established in 1915. The students first met at Friendship Church on Church Street, then moved to a building on Old Hwy 31 in North Gardendale. The school was called Frog Pond School because it was located near a pond. Mr. Snow Rogers later donated land on Snow Rogers Road to build an A-frame schoolhouse. The present Snow Rogers school stands in the same location, the playground being the exact spot where the older school stood. Snow Rogers Elementary celebrated their 100th Anniversary in 2014. SNOW ROGERS SCHOOL Gardendale Methodist Church (Currently Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church): 805 Crest Drive Gardendale Methodist Church was established in 1860. The congregation first met in a brush arbor. The church was called Schugarts’ Chapel. Later, a log structure was built in 191415, then remodeled in 1945. A new structure was built beside the original in 1960. These were both located where Publix is today. In 1974, Gardendale Methodist Church and Mt. Vernon Methodist in North Birmingham merged to become Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. The church constructed the large brick building off Hwy 31 (Decatur Hwy) in use today. ADDITIONAL SITES GARDENDALE METHODIST CHURCH 12 7027 Church Rd - END HERE Rd Former Friendship United Methodist Church, currently owned by Friendship Community Church. First church in the city limits of Gardendale, established in 1837. The original church building was constructed in log cabin style and John Belcher donated land for the church for the price of $1 an acre. 11 2636 Snow Rogers Rd Snow Rogers Community House was the result of the Work Progress Administration (WPA) established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The community house, constructed in 1939, was built by many of the 9,000 unemployed people of Jefferson County. 10 Former Ebeneezer Methodist Church , currently owned by Revealed Word Worship Center. This church was built in 1860 on Snow Rogers Road. The church was constructed on an acre of land donated by John and Susan Belcher to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Go to: MAGNOLIAFESTIVAL.ORG for more information on these Trail of History sites. 2436 Ebenezer Lane 9 2328 North Rd Elkhead Tourist Court was an important service station with a restaurant attached to it and cabins on the hill. Many travelers that passed through the city relied on service stations similar to Elkhead in order to have a place to stay and rest before continuing on their travels. 8 116 Payne Road A man of German descent that lived in Cullman, Alabama, constructed the home in 1910 but never lived there. Instead, S.T. Thompson acquired and was the first occupant of the home in 1919. The home has remained in the Thompson family and is currently owned by Katherine Thompson Grimes. 7 1236 Main Street One of the oldest homes still standing in Gardendale. The house was built in 1875 and remodeled around 1959. 6 795 Tarrant Road Built in 1902, the general store doubled as a home for the Mickwee family. Steven and Jeanie Phillips renovated the house in 1989 as their current residence. Kahlil Mikwee purchased the store/home from Mr. Frank Cole in 1920. The Mickwees were known as a generous family to the community. 5 489 Tarrant Road Moore Home. Well known for the large fieldstone structure in the front yard of the property, the tank was created as a cistern for an irrigation system by Mr. Ray Moore. The water collected was piped out to his turnip fields. He served as both a Jefferson County Commissioner and Baptist minister. 4 704 Main Street The first Gardendale post office opened its doors in 1935. It was originally located on Main Street where Gardendale High School currently sits. Prior to the establishment of this post office, the citizens of Gardendale had to send and receive mail through the post office in the city of Morris. 3 939 Main Street Former Gardendale First Baptist Church. Established with 27 members on September 30, 1876, it was originally named Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church. The church was renamed on October 19, 1956 to Gardendale First Baptist Church. J.I. Kimmons donated the land for this location. 2 100 Fieldstown Road Former site of James Kimmons Home (Current Site of Walgreens). Built in 1890, the house was home to the Kimmons family. It was eventually demolished when a shopping center was built in the fifties. 1 205 Fieldstown Road - START HER E Former Site of James Kimmons’ Store (Current Site of CVS). The store was one of the first in Gardendale, originally constructed in 1890. Jugtown Turnaround, an original play about how Gardendale changed its name from Jugtown in 1906, centers around this store. Start your Trail of History Driving Tour with Kimmons store (#1), where the city’s name was changed from Jugtown to Gardendale in 1906, and end in North Gardendale at the former Friendship Church. Enjoy!