The other article that talked about Choctaws originally living in the area that later became Tuscaloosa. Made me wonder if the Moundville Indians were a different tribe or related to the Choctaw?
Hi Pamela, the Mississippian Indians living at Moundville predate the Choctaw Indians by several hundred years. But they could be related. We don’t know for sure.
If it were true I wouldn’t want and I’m sure others wouldn’t want this to be torn down. It would be great to know that my African ancestors were able to escape the brutal and evil slavers.
The hole was actually a cellar pit to hide from a tornado and or any kind of personal destruction. And yes it was used to escape an individual if necessary. The hole was later in years abandoned and closed to keep people out from going into and having an accident. History hid a few facts for personal reasons? As they say, “some things are better left alone”…
wink crittenden
Myth most certainly NOT busted. Not by a long shot. I have been in the tunnels. They were just looking in the wrong place. You cant just point to a hole in the ground and say, “Look, this is just a hole in the ground. Therefore there are no tunnels under Tuscaloosa.”. All this means is that this jabroney reporter doesn’t know where they are.
I’ll tell you where one entrance is, but it was sealed off a few years ago. Go to the northwest corner of Reese Phifer Hall. On the side facing University Blvd, there is a flight of stairs (about 15 steps) going from a second story door down to the University Blvd sidewalk. This flight of stairs is flanked on either side by two more flights of stairs which take you back toward the building and down another 5 feet or so. Go down the these stairs and turn back towards University Blvd. You’ll be looking at a wall under the first flight of stairs with no distinguishing features other than a small rectangular panel in the middle (roughly 2′ x 3′). That panel covers up a door that used to enter into the tunnel which runs directly under University Blvd. Up until about 6 or 7 years ago, that door was exposed. But now you’ll just have to take my word for it that it was there and that there is definitely a tunnel running under University Blvd directly in front of the stadium.
All wrong … These tunnels sent sewage to the river … They dumped everything in the river! The Jemison Mansion had indoor plumbing, very advanced for the time. So did Bryce Hospital and it all went into the river. Pollution much?
The story I heard was that the tunnel(s) connected the town house to the plantation house across the river. For what purpose, I don’t know. There very well could have been indoor plumbing at the town house. I wonder if the house plans still exist; that would solve the mystery of one or two tunnels !!!
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Sure hope it was.
LOve all the history you post!
Donna, where did you find the illustration of the old Governors Mansion in Tuskaloosa, used in the article on Slave Tunnells – thanks! -David N.
The pictures are drawings from the book listed in the Sources at the bottom.
Brandon Prescott …..You will like this.
Will read:)
I read and watched! Myth busted! lol
I’ll have to read this. I went to Grad school in Tuscaloosa!
Very interesting!
I love this kind of stuff. I went to church at Southside Baptist when I was a kid (Drish Mansion) . It has lots of history also
Just old drug tunnels 😛
Here Ya go Teresa Baier.
Great history of Tuscaloosa.
False.
The other article that talked about Choctaws originally living in the area that later became Tuscaloosa. Made me wonder if the Moundville Indians were a different tribe or related to the Choctaw?
Hi Pamela, the Mississippian Indians living at Moundville predate the Choctaw Indians by several hundred years. But they could be related. We don’t know for sure.
I attended a wedding in this old home and toured all of the ground floor, it is beautiful went up to the top tower.
Angel M Smith have you read this?
I haven’t read it yet, but I saw it.
I love these stories of Alabama.Want to read about the 2 female schools of that time.
N, this is about the Jemison House.
I’ve no doubt that city Tuscaloosa has many secrets…
Angela Bracewell Clardy neat article
oh cool can not wait to read it.
lets go check it out
Angela Thomas maybe look into this lol
This is not far from where I live! Interesting!!
Not true all that was found was sewer system …….
I’m glad to know it’s not true because if it were they would make them tear the house down because it’s offensive to someone.
If it were true I wouldn’t want and I’m sure others wouldn’t want this to be torn down. It would be great to know that my African ancestors were able to escape the brutal and evil slavers.
The hole was actually a cellar pit to hide from a tornado and or any kind of personal destruction. And yes it was used to escape an individual if necessary. The hole was later in years abandoned and closed to keep people out from going into and having an accident. History hid a few facts for personal reasons? As they say, “some things are better left alone”…
Myth most certainly NOT busted. Not by a long shot. I have been in the tunnels. They were just looking in the wrong place. You cant just point to a hole in the ground and say, “Look, this is just a hole in the ground. Therefore there are no tunnels under Tuscaloosa.”. All this means is that this jabroney reporter doesn’t know where they are.
I’ll tell you where one entrance is, but it was sealed off a few years ago. Go to the northwest corner of Reese Phifer Hall. On the side facing University Blvd, there is a flight of stairs (about 15 steps) going from a second story door down to the University Blvd sidewalk. This flight of stairs is flanked on either side by two more flights of stairs which take you back toward the building and down another 5 feet or so. Go down the these stairs and turn back towards University Blvd. You’ll be looking at a wall under the first flight of stairs with no distinguishing features other than a small rectangular panel in the middle (roughly 2′ x 3′). That panel covers up a door that used to enter into the tunnel which runs directly under University Blvd. Up until about 6 or 7 years ago, that door was exposed. But now you’ll just have to take my word for it that it was there and that there is definitely a tunnel running under University Blvd directly in front of the stadium.
You are a Print Medium, so print the Story!
Very interesting.
Sandy Crossley
I heard this story when I was a child. I am a descendent of William Henry Jemison, younger brother of Robert, who built this house.
All wrong … These tunnels sent sewage to the river … They dumped everything in the river! The Jemison Mansion had indoor plumbing, very advanced for the time. So did Bryce Hospital and it all went into the river. Pollution much?
The story I heard was that the tunnel(s) connected the town house to the plantation house across the river. For what purpose, I don’t know. There very well could have been indoor plumbing at the town house. I wonder if the house plans still exist; that would solve the mystery of one or two tunnels !!!
This looks like Clark Hall at U of A