About that comment : “Its situation was low, subjecting it to over-flow from both rivers, so that at times it was almost impossible to reach the statehouse without a conveyance by water.”
It was pure politics that moved the capital from Cahawba. Cahawba is on a high spot that rarely if ever floods. It was inundated once but ene then the statehouse was high n dry. More proof it was always a great location– it used to be a large native american village and had a large mound. You dont see them in low areas.
It was political spin – pure n simple
Funny. The Alabama history I was taught in school said that the first temporary capital was Huntsville, and the first permanent capital was St. Stevens, which subsequently was abandoned due to malaria and yellow fever. Then was moved to Cahawba/ Cahaba whichever spelling is accurate.
[…] Selma in Dallas County, Alabama is well-known for it’s history as a center for civil-rights struggles, but Dallas County also plays an integral part of the early state of Alabama since the first capital was located in Dallas County at old Cahawba. […]
I remember the old cemetery.. One of the Graves belongs to a riverboat captain and the cover to his grave has some of his life’s story carved in it. I hiked there many years ago as a Boy Scout.
I remember the old cemetery.. One of the Graves belongs to a riverboat captain and the cover to his grave has some of his life’s story carved in it. I hiked there many years ago as a Boy Scout.
I rode over there last year on the bike. The lonely columns of one of these great mansions now decaying in the woods was really eerie.
They also dug up one of the largest Indian mounds to make the railroad bed into town, then built the statehouse on the old mound site.
So much history now gone, and for the most part you can’t even tell it was ever there.
One of the sources/authors cited is “Amelia G. Fry.” Her correct name was Anna M. Gayle Fry. This information is in the front of her book, Memories of Old Cahaba”, copyright 1905.Memories of old Cahaba – Scholar’s Choice Edition
[…] detoured to include the village of Montgomery in his itinerary, and taking the boat here, visited Cahaba, the State Capital, thence proceeded by boat to Mobile, […]
[…] Cahaba, the old town, the land force taking one week’s rations with them. But before reaching Cahaba were out of provisions. They remained there four days waiting for the schooner, after eating one […]
vanne hanisch-godoy
No, I didn’t know it was unlawful to cut down trees in Alabama. I think it still is a good idea not to cut them down. It takes so long to grow a tree, and no time at all to cut them down. It is better for the environment as well.
Linda Derry
I think you are wrong about there being a great flood in 1825. That is more myth that fact. 1825 was more likely a drought year.
The first flood to really inundate the town entirely was in 1865, which is when the county seat was moved, and the town really began to die. There was high water or freshets earlier in the capital era, but more an inconvenience that cut one part of town off from another, but the story of flooding was stretched beyond belief by editors of the towns competing for the capital.
[…] detoured to include the village of Montgomery in his itinerary, and taking the boat here, visited Cahaba, the State Capital, thence proceeded by boat to Mobile, […]
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About that comment : “Its situation was low, subjecting it to over-flow from both rivers, so that at times it was almost impossible to reach the statehouse without a conveyance by water.”
It was pure politics that moved the capital from Cahawba. Cahawba is on a high spot that rarely if ever floods. It was inundated once but ene then the statehouse was high n dry. More proof it was always a great location– it used to be a large native american village and had a large mound. You dont see them in low areas.
It was political spin – pure n simple
Funny. The Alabama history I was taught in school said that the first temporary capital was Huntsville, and the first permanent capital was St. Stevens, which subsequently was abandoned due to malaria and yellow fever. Then was moved to Cahawba/ Cahaba whichever spelling is accurate.
Keyword may be temporary???????
Followed by Saint Stevens.
I’ve been there. Beth Speight Meredith
Love this site!
[…] Selma in Dallas County, Alabama is well-known for it’s history as a center for civil-rights struggles, but Dallas County also plays an integral part of the early state of Alabama since the first capital was located in Dallas County at old Cahawba. […]
I remember the old cemetery.. One of the Graves belongs to a riverboat captain and the cover to his grave has some of his life’s story carved in it. I hiked there many years ago as a Boy Scout.
I remember the old cemetery.. One of the Graves belongs to a riverboat captain and the cover to his grave has some of his life’s story carved in it. I hiked there many years ago as a Boy Scout.
I rode over there last year on the bike. The lonely columns of one of these great mansions now decaying in the woods was really eerie.
They also dug up one of the largest Indian mounds to make the railroad bed into town, then built the statehouse on the old mound site.
So much history now gone, and for the most part you can’t even tell it was ever there.
Old Cahawba, we adore thee.
Went there a few years ago. A trip well worth making.
Trish Robertson Johnson a ghost story
Interesting
One of the sources/authors cited is “Amelia G. Fry.” Her correct name was Anna M. Gayle Fry. This information is in the front of her book, Memories of Old Cahaba”, copyright 1905.Memories of old Cahaba – Scholar’s Choice Edition
[…] detoured to include the village of Montgomery in his itinerary, and taking the boat here, visited Cahaba, the State Capital, thence proceeded by boat to Mobile, […]
[…] Cahaba, the old town, the land force taking one week’s rations with them. But before reaching Cahaba were out of provisions. They remained there four days waiting for the schooner, after eating one […]
No, I didn’t know it was unlawful to cut down trees in Alabama. I think it still is a good idea not to cut them down. It takes so long to grow a tree, and no time at all to cut them down. It is better for the environment as well.
I think you are wrong about there being a great flood in 1825. That is more myth that fact. 1825 was more likely a drought year.
The first flood to really inundate the town entirely was in 1865, which is when the county seat was moved, and the town really began to die. There was high water or freshets earlier in the capital era, but more an inconvenience that cut one part of town off from another, but the story of flooding was stretched beyond belief by editors of the towns competing for the capital.
[…] detoured to include the village of Montgomery in his itinerary, and taking the boat here, visited Cahaba, the State Capital, thence proceeded by boat to Mobile, […]