2013~ October 1, Tuesday, Trip to Red Bay, Alabama “The Way we worked”

On October 1, 2013, my husband and I drove to Red Bay, Alabama, to see the traveling Smithsonian exhibit" The Way We Worked."

My husband drove west on Highway 72; at Pride, he turned left onto Highway 247.

We saw rugged mountains with towering forests along Highway 247. The trees were green with a hint of yellow and orange, not quite ready for autumn.

We had to wait several minutes because a large road machine was digging in the ground, doing some kind of road construction. We also passed several log trucks and several horse trailers; there must have been a horse show nearby.

Road Construction

Log Truck

"The Way We Worked" is a collection of black-and-white images from the National Archives.

The display will be at the Weatherford Center on Main Street from September 14 to October 25, 2013.

"The Way We Worked"

"Another collection being displayed is Music Works" from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 

"Theater Works" is Storytelling & Local Movies at the Weatherford Center. 

"Quilt Works" is displayed at Red Bay Library next to the Weatherford Centers. 

Many first-, second- and third-class ribbons were given away in many categories for the quilts. 

In the Machine Child Category, Fiona Oliver won first Place (Christmas Scene), and Christianly Carter took thirdPlacee (Stork Scene).

The Auburn (eagle) and Alabama (the elephant) quilts were side by side; they were rival teams.

There was a cross-stitched quilt by Lucille Horton given as a wedding gift in July 1983, 

A quilt made by Granny Burcham for Hazel Hall in 1947, it was a friendship quilt (each block was made by different individuals, with the names of family members on the blocks. These quilts were often raffled off as fundraisers.)

An Alabama National Champion quilt displaying dates of: 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012

A Cathedral window tie-hanging quilt made by Dianne Bentley (governor's wife) from ties belonging to Governor Robert Bentley.

Josiah Oliver (second Place) and Cindy Carter (first Place) made a couple of Alabama quilts in the children's contest.

The back wall of the Placehe Library was made of quilts of many shapes, sizes, and designs.

Alabama Quilt

Our walk in Red Bay was on a bright, sunny October day. We followed the tracks for tourists to follow for "The Way We Worked Smithsonian Tour."

We saw many of Red Bay's old buildings depicting murals of the lives of the people of Red Bay. Starting with A.M. Nix Barbecue, Bay Theater, Morrow, Red Bay Café, Red Bay Grocery, Red Bay Ice and Gin Company, Red Bay School, Rob Orrick's Hamburger's, T. D. Jackson's Meat Market, The Calaboose, The depot and hotel, the old Medical clinic, the style shop, the well, Thompson's seed and feed, Wilson Read to Wear and ending with Yarber's Grist Mill. 

Murals Red Bay 

Murals Red Bay 

Down the street from the Red Bay Museum is History Works, where you can find local treasures from years past.

 Red Bay Museum 

 Red Bay Museum 

"The Way We Lived" inside Red Bay's Museum was the original sign and staircase of The Red Bay Hotel, which is now being restored.

We saw a Cary Safe from Buffalo, NY, a sign from Faust Rexall Drugs, a counter from a hardware store, a soda fountain from a drug store, a sign from Naber's & Co., a Cash Store, an antiquated Coca-Cola drink machine, dippers that were used at the old well, the ceiling, light fixtures, and seats from the old Red Bay theater.

There were medical instruments used by a local physician, a computing scale for Sagle Co from Dayton, Ohio, and items donated by several different churches. There were also military uniforms on display worn by local veterans of Red Bay.

There was a sign that said "Condimental Ginning System," items from the old train depot, and farm tools of every kind. 

There were several rooms, each with different themes, depicting the life of Red Bay, Alabama.

The top floor was full of items from Tammy Wynett.

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

 Tammy Wynette Dresses

It was getting past lunchtime, and we asked where a good local restaurant was, but all they had to offer were chain Restaurants. 

So we stopped at Jack, where I ordered chicken fingers with green beans and water. 

After lunch, we headed north on Highway 24. 

There was a lot of construction along this highway, and it is far from being finished.

We drove through downtown Russellville.

We stopped on Jackson Avenue, where I took pictures of the town and some historic markers. Next, we stopped at the Historic Roxy Theater, where I took photos of the theater and historical markers.

Historic Roxy Theater 

Historic Roxy Theater 

We drove further down the street, and I spied an old cemetery called Sadler. 

We stopped in Littleville, Alabama, to take a picture of the historical marker about Captain Benjamin Little, who lived in historic Littleville. 

Littleville 

History of Littleville, Alabama 
Capt. Benjamin F. Little, a former Confederate soldier, opened a store here after the railroad from Tuscumbia to Russellville was built in 1887. A train station and several houses were soon erected. A rail spur provided access to nearby iron ore mines. Capt. A.H. Keller owned a sandstone quarry and summer Resort called Fern Quarry near Keller Springs just north of the town in the 1880s and 1890s. The stone was used to construct a blast furnace and commercial buildings in Sheffield. In 1917, Jackson Highway (U.S. Hwy 43) was built along the general route of the old Jackson Military Road. (continued on the other side) (continued from the other side) According to local lore, early settler Hezekiah Tharp's wife Nancy was the daughter of Chickasaw Chief George Colbert (the county is named for him and his brother Levi). Ligon Springs, 1~1/2 miles west, was a popular summer Resort in the 1870s. The water was advertised as a cure for dropsy, dyspepsia, sore eyes, kidney diseases, etc. By 1910, Littleville had a population of 30. Its merchants were J.D. Bullington, general merchandise; G.W. Hargett, lumber; M.C. Murray, general merchandise; L.O. Breitling, bakery; and C.J. Brockway, lawyer. The town was incorporated in 1956, and Frank Bullington became the first mayor.

All the way home, I snapped pictures of the winding roads, the towering trees, old and new houses, and signs, and I did not stop until it was dark.

My husband grilled pork chops when we came home, while I made creamed potatoes and mixed vegetables. 

A good home-cooked hot meal is a great way to end the day.