Etowah County (AL) (Images of America)
Bob Scarboro, Mike Goodson
Language: English
Pages: 128
ISBN: 0738516244
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Drawing from, among other sources, the collection of famed photographer Adolph Lebourg, a French immigrant who traveled to Alabama with a circus, Scarboro and Goodson combine wonderful images with insightful text to provide a unique look at the county's heritage. Especially evident in Lebourg's photographs is a passion for motorcycles, providing a great point of interest for many of the book's images. Etowah County includes such points of interest as the Kyle Home, which once stood on the present site of the Etowah County Courthouse, the home of Alabama Power Company founder W.P. Lay, and
several of the county's early movie theaters. Many local businesses and industries are highlighted in the early years of their existence. Also included are glimpses of such local events as parades, sporting events, and the beautiful Nocallula Falls. Whether one is a longtime resident familiar with all the area has to offer, or a newcomer eager to learn more of the county's heritage, Etowah County is a wonderful look at days gone by.
municipal offices together under one roof; the unpaved roads were becoming more of a problem with the coming of the first automobiles to Gadsden; and a question about a new post office would soon come up. Although Gadsden would face many new challenges in the upcoming years, these problems would be met one by one successfully. The early days of the new century saw the coming of the automobile, or “tin lizzie” as many people referred to the new horseless carriages. The automobile brought many new
laws were not as strict as today. The prize was awarded to the lucky ticket holder. Today Compass Bank occupies this corner of Sixth and Broad Streets. The home of William Patrick Lay was another of the stately homes located on Forrest Avenue. This home was located near the present site of the Alabama Power Company offices, a company that Lay helped found. W. P. Lay moved to Gadsden in 1874 where he engaged in the lumber business. He developed hydroelectricity and later built his first
of Gardner Street and Seventh Street, was another of Etowah County’s popular drive-ins. The Chow Time was popular during the late 1960s, offering a Tiny Chow Burger for only 15¢ and a Chow Burger, which was a huge burger with minced onions. Today the building that housed the Chow Time is part of Grissom Honda. Jack’s Kwikee Hamburgers was another locally owned drive-in that was very popular during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Jack’s Kwikee offered a small hamburger for 15¢ as well as
intersection in the Alabama City area. This was both the entrance to the Dwight Manufacturing Company and the main business district known as Wall Street. Wall Street, or Seventh Street, contained many of the stores and offices of the mill village. This was also the home of Alabama City’s Ritz Theatre. Today this is the intersection of Wall Street and Meighan Boulevard. Fourth Street in Alabama City was the home of the McGraw Brothers Bottlers. This building has housed several businesses
1950s. Raw materials for several of Etowah County’s manufacturing plants and industries were shipped by rail to Etowah County, and finished goods were then shipped all over the United States through this rail yard. Today this depot and rail yard have limited traffic. The viaduct leading into downtown Attalla on Highways 278 and 431 has been an important addition to the area for many years. This marvel actually allowed traffic from these major highways to travel beneath the many railroads