On July 4, 1845, the piercing sound of a steamboat's whistle along the banks of the Coosa River served as an exotic, technological proclamation for the beginning of a new era in Northeast Alabama. The landing of Captain James Lafferty's steamboat, the Coosa, marked the genesis of a new town and the realization of a shared vision of Gabriel Hughes, Joseph Hughes, and John S. Moragne. From that moment on, hundreds upon hundreds of pioneering men and women immigrated to Gadsden in the latter part of the nineteenth century pursuing the American dream of land and opportunity. Gadsden: City of Champions, with over 100 black-and-white illustrations, presents a comprehensive history of Gadsden's astonishing development and details the various stages of the city's evolution, from a neutral playing field between rival Cherokee and Creek tribes, to a wilderness stagecoach stop, to a humble village, to a major riverboat port, into a modern industrial city. Amid streetcars, opera houses, bustling mills, and unpaved streets, readers meet local figures, such as Colonel R.B. Kyle, Captain James M. Elliott Jr., Judge John H. Disque, Emma Sansom, and John W. Wisdom, and a host of colorful characters riverboat pilots, theater managers, mill workers, Pulltight saloonkeepers, and bootleggers against an epic backdrop of war, Reconstruction, depression, fire, and prosperity.
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About the Author
Local author and historian Mike Goodson has composed an engaging narrative that captures the spirit and charm of Gadsden's unforgettable heritage. Recalling the vigor, determination, and imagination of the cityÃs earlier leaders and citizens, his words and images celebrate their achievements in creating a community that continues to flourish with each passing decade. Readers, both old and young, native and newcomer, will find Gadsden: City of Champions a compelling American story, one full of adventure, tragedy, and good fortune.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyable reading,
By Jim McCullars (Huntsville, AL United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gadsden, (AL) City of Champions (Making of America) (Paperback)
If you enjoy history and grew up in the "City of Champions", you will enjoy this book. Learn the men behind the many names that you know from streets (Meighan Boulevard, Kyle Avenue, Elliott Avenue, Turrentine Avenue) and schools (Disque Junior High, Mitchell Elementary). Gadsden had some fascinating figures and truly visionary leaders in its early days, and Mike Goodson tells us their stories. Did you know that Gadsden even has a connection to the world-famous Jack Daniel's Distillery? Check it out!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gadsden, City of Champions,
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This review is from: Gadsden, (AL) City of Champions (Making of America) (Paperback)
As a descendant of one of the founders of the city, I found the book very enlightening. A great historical read.
Walter D. Smith
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
For many years the only inhabitants to live in the area today known as Gadsden were members of the Creek and Cherokee Indian Nations. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
central fire station, tire production, riverboat captains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Alabama City, Etowah County, Coosa River, Broad Street, United States, Lookout Mountain, World War, Colonel Kyle, Noccalula Falls, Black Creek, Captain Elliott, Dwight Manufacturing Company, Double Springs, East Gadsden, Forrest Avenue, Camp Sibcrt, Gadsdcn Theatre, Gadsden Theatre, Memorial Bridge, Steve Means, Chestnut Street, Civil War, Etowah Rifles, First Baptist Church, Iigh School New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
For many years the only inhabitants to live in the area today known as Gadsden were members of the Creek and Cherokee Indian Nations. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
central fire station, tire production, riverboat captains Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Alabama City, Etowah County, Coosa River, Broad Street, United States, Lookout Mountain, World War, Colonel Kyle, Noccalula Falls, Black Creek, Captain Elliott, Dwight Manufacturing Company, Double Springs, East Gadsden, Forrest Avenue, Camp Sibcrt, Gadsdcn Theatre, Gadsden Theatre, Memorial Bridge, Steve Means, Chestnut Street, Civil War, Etowah Rifles, First Baptist Church, Iigh School New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 3
books:
- North Carolina by Irvin S. Cobb on page 20
- Etowah County, Vol. 2 (AL) (Images of America) by Mike Goodson in Front Matter
- The Civil Rights Movement by Mark Newman on page 126
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