Huntsville Historical Markers

Historical Markers - Website


Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University William Hooper Councill, an ex-slave was founder and first president. Evolved from a normal school to a University in 94 years. Classes began in 1875 in a rented building. First school owned property was in 1881 on West Clinton Street. Land grant funds received in 1891 for the training of African Americans in agriculture and mechanical arts allowed the school to enlarge and re-establish at its present location. The University has under gone 6 name changes over the years.
1873…..Colored Normal School
1885…..The Huntsville State Colored Normal and Industrial School
1896…..The State Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes
1919…..The State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute for Negroes
1948…..Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College
1969…..Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

The Big Spring
William H. Pope, son of Leroy Pope, deeded the Big Spring to the City of Huntsville in 1843. An inexhaustible source of pure water has been a marvel to Indians and frontiersmen alike prior to the 19th century. John Hunt, an early settler, built his cabin near the spring in 1805. The Big Spring was a major attraction at the land sales of 1809. It and acres surrounding it were purchased by Leroy Pope. Spring water was being pumped 96 feet through hollowed cedar logs to a reservoir on the town square by 1823. This was one of the earliest waterworks in the country. Until 1957, the spring was the main source of fresh water for Huntsville citizens. From 1920 to 1950, the sale of water from the Big Spring was the largest single source of income for the city's General Fund. A park and picnic ground was developed around the Spring in 1898. It is still maintained today by the City of Huntsville as a park with development surrounding its perimeter.

Central Presbyterian Church
This church which had its origins in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was first mentioned at a meeting of the Presbytery on April 7, 1812. It became known as First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Huntsville, Alabama. In 1828 the first building was constructed on Greene Street north of Holmes Street. In 1845 a second building, designed by George Steele, was erected at this site. The present building was begun in 1899. In 1906 this church became known as Central Presbyterian Church when united with the Presbyterian Church, USA.

Chickasaw Old Fields
This place has been known by three names: Chickasaw Old Fields-1769. Cherokee Indians attacked Chickasaws who were invading their lands. After severe battle Chickasaws withdrew. Ditto's Landing-Early boat landing on Tennessee River established by John Ditto, Indian trader in 1802. Town of Whitesburg-Old river port, incorporated 1824 by James White, Abington, Va., "Salt King." (Located on U.S. Highway 431 near Tennessee River)

The Church of the Nativity, Episcopal
The Church of the Nativity congregation was organized December 17, 1842--the name chosen because of the approaching Christmas season. The Convention of the Diocese of Alabama, Protestant Episcopal Church, approved the congregation on February 16, 1843. The original brick church, erected in 1847, stood east of the present structure. The present church building, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture, was designed by Frank Wills and Henry Dudley of New York. Erected at a cost of $37,500, it was dedicated Easter Eve, April 13, 1859, and consecrated January 29, 1860.

Other Notable Historical Markers:

• Councill Training School
• Dallas Mills & Village
• Dallas(Optimist) Park
• First Bank in Alabama
• First Presbyterian Church
• First United Methodist Church
• Glenwood Cemetery
• Goldsmith-Schiffman Field
• Green Academy
• Hotel Monte Sano
• Howard Weeden Home
• Indian Creek Canal
• Initial Survey Point
• John Williams Walker
• Joseph J. Bradley School
• Lincoln School and Village
• Maple Hill Cemetery
• Merrimack Manufacturing Company & Village
• Oak Place
• Oakwood College
• Old Town Historic District
• Original Site of Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University
• Original Site of Lakeside United Methodist Church
• Original Site of Enon Baptist Church
• Passenger Depot
• The Public Inn
• Rison School
• Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church
• Saint Mary's Church of the Visitation
• Schiffman Building
• Site of Alabama's First Constitutional Convention
• Site of Ditto Landing and Town of Whitesburg
• Site of Huntsville Inn
• Site of Huntsville Slave Cemetery
• Tallulah Bankhead
• Temple B'nai Sholom
• The Leroy Pope Mansion
• Twickenham Historic District
• Site of William Hooper Council High School