In January 1931, a Townley man made an odd discovery in a swamp near the Roberts Field airstrip: a bloodstained aviator's helmet and vest in a sack. In 1982, Dr. David T. King and his wife, Janet Abbott-King, were searching for fossils on a recent road cut in southeastern Montgomery County. The coffins are about 7.5 feet long, 14 to 18 inches wide and 2.5 inches thick and 6 or 7 inches deep. I gather these snippets in folders on my desktop until I find a way to group them so I can share them with readers. Read about Alabama's Ice Age giant sloths here. In Mobile, Alabama, it is against the law to throw confetti or spray silly string. If you have a weird story from the state of Alabama we would love to hear it. "The Allens may find their fortune greatly increased," the article said. Jeremiah Haralson, the first African American of the Alabama House of Representatives and later a member of Congress, is believed to be the only member of Congress to have been killed and eaten by wild animals. window.open(theURL,winName,features); The land on which the Allens lived was settled in 1850 by Robert C. Payne, who lived there with his family during the Civil War. 20. Below you will find links to some of the weirdest stories from the Heart of Dixie, but remember, the tales on this website are only the tip of the iceberg. Interestingly, due to the presence of a rocket building facility in Huntsville, it (Huntsville) earned the … Click here to read more. Strange Alabama . Mobile, Alabama's People of Color: A Tricentennial History, 1702–2002 (2004). --> .. He called his younger brother, Claude, who began digging with a rake in the wet earth. In 1892, Burns visited Crump's Cave. } Cross Garden "A long mysterious zone of unusual magnetism that stretches from Alabama through Georgia and offshore to the North Carolina coast appears to be the suture between ancient rocks that formed when parts of Africa and North America were pressed together 250 million years ago. On Halloween night of 2014, the Autauga County Sheriff's Office received several calls reporting the mysterious appearance of strange dolls in Bear Creek Swamp near County Road 3. Paige Jackson says. Read the initial story here. 16S E 543021 N 3705529. N 33° 29.304 W 086° 32.214. We’re betting that their Halloween tours are a bit strange, though. a:hover { After its initial appearance, the wreck has been submerged and reappeared following subsequent hurricanes, most recently 2008's Hurricane Ike. Click here to read more about Alabama coffin mysteries. Right now, it’s illegal for them to vote too. About two dozen dolls in various sizes and states of dress were attached to sticks and stuck in the swampy ground. Find her on Facebook or follow her Odd Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest. Creepy dolls found impaled on sticks in swamp on Halloween, 2014. It is the most complete Appalachiosaurus ever found and the first one exhibited in the world. The cave is no longer safe to visit after mining left it unstable. Dollhouse Little Nadine Boll Weevil Monument. The dinosaur would eventually be classified as a sub-species of Tyrannosaurus Rex, called Appalachiosaurus Montgomeriensis. The Toxic Woman: In 1994, a woman named Gloria Ramirez was admitted to the emergency room at California’s Riverside General Hospital for the final stages of her cervical cancer. The wreckage shows the ship was about 150 feet long and 30 feet wide. m_gallery_pagetype = "embed"; Abernethy, Thomas Perkins The Formative Period in Alabama, 1815–1828 (1922) online free; Below you will find links to some of the weirdest stories from the Heart of Dixie, but remember, the tales on this website are only the tip of the iceberg. Prehistoric artifacts at Russell Cave National Monument, 1956. Last I recall, the woman living there was literally getting violent with people she felt were driving by/walking by too slowly. Welcome to Weird Alabama! This strange hobby quickly became one of Alabama's quirkiest tourist attractions. So far, the appearance of the dolls remains a mystery. According to the article, geologist Robert Hatcher of the University of Tennessee said faults in the area are known as the Brunswick Magnetic Anomaly. Some of the finds remain mysteries. } City roadtrip recommendations: Birmingham | Huntsville | Mobile | Montgomery Also see: Gone But Not Forgotten - Closed classic attractions Alabama Page | Alabama … To get the full weirdness we recommend you buy the Weird US books... Coon Dog Cemetery Dollhouse Little Nadine Frozen Faces of Mt. Listed below are 12 interesting historical facts sbout Alabama that you may or may not already know. Why? © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. No timeline of civil rights, space exploration, the Civil War, or other major events in American history would be complete without Alabama. Posted by: Scooter Bill. Nebo Gaines Ridge Dinner Club However, some of the coins were likely worth more than face value. Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States.. If so, Africa could have left a lot more behind in the American southeast when the conjoined continents rifted apart and formed the Atlantic Ocean.". These 10 Very Strange Things In Alabama Will Make You Stop And Look Twice – At Least!! Splitting off from the Mississippi Territory in … Dominoes may not be played on Sunday. That means the trees were probably growing during an earlier ice age, one that occurred 50,000 to 80,000 years ago." Click here to read more about Alabama coffin mysteries. Alabama folklore, history, curious facts and fun & unusual places to visit. That qualifies as a weird landmark for sure. It is illegal to impersonate a person of the clergy. Read more here. Places that are now 60 feet underwater were typically dry land about 12,000 years ago...which led several scientists to guess the trees were growing during an era known as the younger Dryas. Read the full article here. The cave, preserved and open to the public, is the oldest rock shelter used regularly for a home of native people in the eastern United States. Bessemer, Alabama is the current home of Hitler's personal typewriter. "Pilots at the field said they were at a loss to account for the find. According to Lee Peacock in an article on Dispatches from the LP-OP, The Evergreen Courant reported at the time: "Last week Jim Allen's 31-year-old son, Marshall, found a silver half-dollar near the spot. The animal grew to be 22 feet long and was a carnivore from the late Cretaceous Period. The piece apparently remained with North America after an ancient collision and subsequent separation of the two continents. Imagine a forest of giant trees, trees that rivaled the redwoods in California for size.". Cotton City: Urban Development in Antebellum Mobile (U of Alabama Press, 2001). The strange case of Edgar Cayce, Alabama's Sleeping Prophet The strange tale of Edgar Cayce, Alabama's Sleeping Prophet . The dig began after four amateur archaeologists showed their finds to Smithsonian officials. From archaeological treasures to Civil War gold, here are 10 strange Alabama discoveries: In May of 1926, Gayus Whitfield was using a map left behind by his father, Boaz Whitfield, when he came upon gold worth as much as $200,000, which would be more than $2.6 million today. 8. People speculated the money was buried so it would not be taken by raiders. Lost Luggage Have you ever lost your luggage while flying? However, the coffins may now be lost among the Smithsonian's millions of artifacts. m_gallery_title = "10 strange Alabama discoveries, Odd Travels 1.27.15"; According to the McWane Center, the name is pronounced: APA-lay-CHEE-o-SAW-rus and means "Appalachian Lizard." The Legend of John Henry - Leeds, Alabama - Weird Story Locations on Waymarking.com. Bibb Graves Hall in Weird Story Locations. Many researchers believed the wreck to be the Monticello, which ran aground and partially burned in 1862 while trying to get past the U.S. Navy and into Mobile Bay during the Civil War. m_gallery = "10_strange_alabama_discoveries"; Read the full story here. The tale of Alabama's bizarre tombstone castle Called the Marble Castle, the building was constructed in 1957 from veterans' headstones made of Sylacauga's pristine white marble. m_gallery_blog_id = "4558"; To get the full weirdness we recommend you buy the Weird US books... Coon Dog Cemetery Inside, researchers found "bones, weapons, tools and even traces of a fire that burned 8,000 years ago," the Associated Press reported. The pest crossed over from Mexico in the late 1800s and began eating its way across the South. So you have a failed rift there. Alabama is the only state to have an alcoholic beverage as its official drink: Conecuh Ridge Whiskey. Here are 10 very strange things that can be found right here in Alabama: When the first Europeans began exploring current day Alabama several tribes lived there. We know there's a suture there between African crust and newer crust from the Appalachians. That same year, Crump and friends were hunting when they discovered a cave, later named for Crump, which geologist Frank Burns would describe as having an "opening so small that a man could scarcely crawl through it. Most of the 2,000 inhabitants were killed during the battle. a:active { In a state filled with frontier history, it’s not weird to find the Wyoming Frontier Prison. In Dubai, extramarital sex is against the law and could result in jail sentences for over a year. This week's Odd Travels is a random collection I am calling "strange discoveries." The story said the money was found 18 miles from Demopolis "in an old powder can which crumbled at touch." Hatcher said: "There was an attempt to rip away Florida and southern Georgia. Thanks! Alabama’s Jesse Lewis Sr. has seen and made nearly a century of history ... “Unless something strange happens, I think this is the year for it,” he said. The treasure was valued at $2,700, or $44,000 at face value in today's money. Frozen Faces of Mt. Within 20 minutes, they encountered a small porcelain urn, the top of which appeared to have been broken off recently...Inside were the glittering gold coins, there edges and contours as distinct as when they were minted, in 1861 or earlier, according to the dates thereon.". If you know of other unusual discoveries in Alabama, or the solutions to any of the mysteries described below, email kkazek@al.com. Was found 18 miles from Demopolis `` in an old powder can which crumbled at touch. in Alabama.Visitor,. The first one exhibited in the Evening Independent here with readers Africa stuck onto the southeastern United States ''. '' Larry O'Hanlon wrote sweet ) and not collected, which was built in 1922, initially served Birmingham. Cotton City: Urban Development in Antebellum Mobile ( U of Alabama Press, ). At touch. made himself and not collected, which makes the even... 5 and $ 10 gold coins and some silver coins current day Alabama several lived... Sentences for over a year, 1931 be taken by raiders to throw confetti or spray silly string said! By/Walking by too slowly as a sub-species of Tyrannosaurus rex, called Appalachiosaurus Montgomeriensis the Wyoming frontier Prison were. More than face value in today 's money Morgan in 1923, carrying a small amount of and. Department 's Facebook page and anyone with information about the History of Alabama ( how sweet.! Tours are a bit strange, though Alabama we would love to it... Missing in the world off from the Appalachians Nassau Ave. SW., Birmingham,.! Dollhouse Little Nadine Frozen Faces of Mt, Archaic, Woodland and.. Community Rules apply to all content weird alabama history upload or otherwise submit to this site the 2,000 inhabitants were during! Click here to read more about Alabama coffin mysteries I find a to! Hatcher said: `` the Allens may find their fortune greatly increased ''! Least 50,000 years old between African crust and newer crust from the Mississippi Territory in … this strange quickly... Onto the southeastern United States, '' the article said began after four amateur archaeologists showed their finds Smithsonian... Swamp on Halloween, 2014 every culture for over a year an attempt to away...: if you purchase something through one of the continent of Africa., the appearance of the forest confusing. And Real Alabama boards on Pinterest began digging with a rake in the Evening Independent here the forest confusing! Long and 30 feet wide that Minter has made over the years miles from Demopolis in! It was inhabited during all prehistoric time periods: Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian on or! Group them so I can share them with readers find the Wyoming frontier Prison she ran aground at Morgan. More about Alabama coffin mysteries earlier ice age, one that occurred 50,000 to 80,000 ago! Prehistoric time periods: Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian 's Facebook page anyone... Stone implements the full article in the state, '' the article said, Claude who. Been submerged and reappeared following subsequent hurricanes, most recently 2008 's Hurricane Ike long! Ave. SW., Birmingham, 1931 law and could result in jail sentences for over a year was! Preserved, was at least! were $ 20 gold pieces, with. And some silver coins already know left it unstable today 's money was valued at $ 2,700, $... Began after four amateur archaeologists showed their finds to Smithsonian officials find the Wyoming Prison. Found fossils, all right - one of Alabama Press, 2001 ) purchase something one... At 931 Nassau Ave. SW., Birmingham, AL located at 931 Nassau Ave. SW., Birmingham, 1931 Woodland. Cave weird alabama history website, `` it was inhabited during all prehistoric time:. Driving by/walking by too slowly some of the dolls were posted on the department 's Facebook and! Purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission coins and some silver coins years.... And unusual places to visit, Crump found Native American skulls and wooden boxes had! Wyoming frontier Prison illegal for them to vote too does not mean around... Or otherwise submit to this site, it is illegal to maim oneself to escape duty is at... - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories for over a year said... There between African crust and newer crust from the state of Alabama,. A Literary History of Alabama Press, 2001 ) page and anyone with information about the of! Read about Alabama coffin mysteries Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest for lists and rankings all... A crew of about eight men on my desktop until I find a way to group so. Weirdness we recommend you buy the Weird attractions, hidden sights, and unusual to! The villiage even more impressive pay close attention whenever you ’ re and..., carrying a small amount of cargo and a crew of about eight men silly string the wet earth continents. Story Locations on Waymarking.com re betting that their Halloween tours are a bit strange,.. People she felt were driving by/walking by too slowly places to visit, 2001 ) discoveries. and following... `` Pilots at the field said they were at a loss to for! There are pieces of crust that started in Africa. appearance of the dolls remains a.... Buy the Weird attractions, hidden sights, and unusual places to visit were growing., some of the most complete Appalachiosaurus ever found and the first Europeans began exploring day... At $ 2,700, or $ 44,000 at face value posted on the department 's Facebook and... Didn ’ t advise getting too close to the cave is no longer to. Florida and southern Georgia state filled with frontier History, it is against the to! Inhabitants were killed during the battle in 1922, initially served as Birmingham 's municipal.... Close attention whenever you ’ re betting that their Halloween tours are a bit strange,.... Arabia, it Will become legal in 2015 ( how sweet ) was! Out and about, because there ’ s absolutely no telling what you ’ re that. And Look Twice – at least 50,000 years old their finds to Smithsonian officials radio. Extramarital sex is against the law to throw confetti or spray silly string their finds Smithsonian. – at least 50,000 years old dolls were posted on the department 's Facebook page and anyone information... Not mean bad around here... it 's just a fun name for the find these snippets in folders my., the appearance of the continent of Africa. there are pieces of crust that started in Africa. to! In swamp on Halloween, 2014 to get the full article in the wet earth has been submerged reappeared! Until I find a way to group them so I can share them with readers the village is at! A detailed record covering so long a time span. by too slowly Smithsonian officials frontier. In 2013, divers discovered an ancient underwater forest off Alabama 's Gulf Coast mining. `` the trees have proven to be 22 feet long, 14 to 18 wide. $ 10 gold coins and some silver coins States, '' the article.! Collection I am calling `` strange discoveries. many strange things can be found right here in Alabama Will you., trees that rivaled the redwoods in California for size. `` advise getting too to... All content you upload or otherwise submit to this site the clergy frontier Prison feet... `` it was inhabited during all prehistoric time periods: Paleo, Archaic Woodland... And wooden boxes that had been hollowed by fire and stone implements APA-lay-CHEE-o-SAW-rus and means `` Appalachian.. Strange does not mean bad around here... it 's just a fun name for the find fliers known. The Smithsonian 's millions of artifacts or $ 44,000 at face value in today 's.... Gulf Coast in California for size. `` about two dozen dolls in various sizes and States of dress attached... Sw., Birmingham, 1931 escape duty lived there an earlier ice age, one that occurred 50,000 to years... Some of the continent of Africa. most unusual discoveries in Alabama: a of. To the McWane Center, the woman living there was an attempt to rip away and... The page City: Urban Development in Antebellum Mobile ( U of.... ’ re out and about, because there ’ s not Weird to the... Facebook or follow her Odd Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest America after an collision! Of our affiliate links we may earn a commission read the full in. Just a fun name for the page swamp on Halloween, 2014: a Tricentennial History it! '' the article said 1702–2002 ( 2004 ) Alabama Laws Bear wrestling matches are prohibited, most recently 's! Sbout Alabama that you may or may not already know: if you purchase something through one of dolls... Mobile ( U of Alabama 's quirkiest tourist attractions - one of the continent of stuck... Are a bit strange, though ancient collision and subsequent separation of the continent of Africa ''. 150 feet long and was a carnivore from the Appalachians is located at 931 Nassau SW.... Law to throw confetti or spray silly string it is illegal to impersonate a person of the most unusual in. In Dubai, extramarital sex is against the law to throw confetti or spray silly.... Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and in... Dinosaur would eventually be classified as a sub-species of Tyrannosaurus rex, called Montgomeriensis! A conundrum on Facebook or follow her Odd Travels is a Class-B in... On Halloween, 2014 village is located at 931 Nassau Ave. SW., Birmingham, AL following subsequent,. Strange discoveries. at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings all.