Homegrown History
24 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 months ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsDiscover Athens, Alabama and Limestone County from one who has studied it and one who has lived it. Rebekah Davis, Limestone County archivist, and Limestone County native, Richard Martin, recount stories and bring in special guests to talk about the rich history of Limestone County, Alabama.
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Episodes
Pryor Field and History of Aviation in Limestone County
May 11, 2023 19:16 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBRebekah and Richard welcome Pryor Field Airport Manager Adam Fox in a conversation about the history of aviation in Limestone County. They discuss Pryor Field's important role in both the past and future for aviation and other development in North Alabama. https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ https://flydcu.com/ Reference books mentioned in this podcast are available at the Limestone County Archives or Athens-Limestone Public Library Music f...
World War I and II: Limestone County Answers the Call
March 29, 2023 20:37 - 51 minutes - 45.1 MBRebekah and Richard host Sandy Thompson, Director of the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens, Alabama. They discuss historic events of World War I and II and Limestone County's service both in action and on the home front. Entire families enlisted and many of their stories are told here. Richard remembers his father on the USS Alabama along with several uncles in active duty. Rebekah remembers her Great Aunt Jerene, the first Rosie the Riveter from Athens. The Veterans Mu...
Women's Suffrage: First Female Voters in Limestone County
February 17, 2023 16:55 - 42 minutes - 37.2 MBRebekah and Richard discuss the 19th Amendment and history of women's suffrage. A controversial subject, in Limestone County groups of women banded together to register for their right to vote. Rebekah and Richard identify some of these early women and men who championed the cause. Find out why the Tennessee legislature made a run for the Alabama border in a last ditch effort to thwart the amendment! https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Mus...
Pandemics in Limestone County: 1866 - 2023
January 05, 2023 14:48 - 56 minutes - 48.5 MBEpidemics and pandemics are nothing new. Rebekah recounts the history of infectious diseases in Limestone County and steps the community took (including armed border patrol) to stop the spread of disease. Richard remembers the polio scare in the 1950s. They are joined by Traci Collins, Athens-Limestone Hospital President, who describes the early days of Covid-19 from the very first case in LC and the hospital's ongoing measures to keep the community safe. https://limestonecount...
Homegrown HAUNTED History_2022
October 18, 2022 17:34 - 36 minutes - 26.7 MBHomegrown HAUNTED History_2022 – A 1893 tragic fire on the downtown Athens Square consumed two men and has since sparked stories of haunting visitations. Now, hear compelling new accounts of paranormal activity in an ALL NEW episode of ghost stories with Rebekah, Richard, local author Shane Black, and ghost hunter Jarred Miller. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ https://www.visitathensal.com/ Shane Black's book, Spirits of Athens: ...
Trinity School - Part 2
September 23, 2022 17:35 - 39 minutes - 34.2 MBFor more than a hundred years (1865 - 1970) Trinity School served Limestone County's African American students in a time when their educational opportunities were less than ideal. How Trinity graduates from small-town Athens, Alabama went on to make major contributions in the world of arts and sciences, education, government, and medicine as well as civil and human rights is the topic of this episode. Richard and Rebekah are joined by special guests Charlotte Fulton, author of Holdi...
Trinity School - Part 1
August 23, 2022 17:37 - 43 minutes - 37.8 MBFor more than a hundred years (1865 - 1970) Trinity School served Limestone County's African American students, and its history reflects a microcosm of the African American experience. Founded by Mary Fletcher Wells to educate newly freed slaves and their children, the first classes were held only weeks after the South surrendered. The story of Trinity and the determination to keep it open through fires, hardship, and community discord is the story of dedicated educators who taught ...
The Civil War: Limestone County in Conflict, Part 2
July 21, 2022 14:09 - 42 minutes - 36.6 MBRebekah and Richard host local historian of African American history, Peggy Towns, and Limestone County educator, Chris Paysinger, for Part 2 of the Civil War and its impact on Athens and Limestone County. Taking notes from personal diaries, genealogy research, and other historical records, they localize the history of the Civil War by sharing individual stories of people (including their own ancestors) withstanding the Union occupation of Athens. One former Limestone County residen...
The Civil War: Limestone County in Conflict, Part I
July 01, 2022 18:15 - 42 minutes - 36.7 MBRebekah and Richard host local historian of African American history, Peggy Towns, and Limestone County educator, Chris Paysinger, for a look into Athens and Limestone County during the early days of the Civil War. Originally sympathetic with the Union, find out what triggered the turning point for the city of Athens. Also learn about the United States Colored Infantry stationed at Fort Henderson as well as speculation that the famous short story, "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,...
The Case of the Scottsboro Boys - Part 2 (1933 - present)
May 18, 2022 21:31 - 40 minutes - 35.5 MBLET JUSTICE BE DONE THOUGH THE HEAVENS MAY FALL - the family motto of Judge James E. Horton was emblazoned at the top of his controversial decision in the 1933 Scottsboro Boys case to throw out the guilty verdict and order a new trial. Rebekah and Richard continue their discussion with local author and African American historian, Peggy Towns, and Steven Brown, author and Professor of Political Science from Auburn University. They recount the aftermath of this case: what happened t...
The Case of the Scottsboro Boys - Part I (1931-1933)
April 27, 2022 15:02 - 41 minutes - 36.9 MBIn April, 1931, an all-white, all-male jury quickly convicted the Scottsboro Boys and sentenced eight of them to death. But that was just the beginning. With the whole world watching this racially charged case, in 1933, the retrial of Haywood Patterson began in Decatur, Alabama with Judge James E. Horton of Athens, Alabama presiding. In this episode Rebekah and Richard welcome local author and African American historian, Peggy Towns, from Decatur, and Steven Brown, author and Profes...
Historic Homes in Limestone County - Part II
March 22, 2022 19:49 - 36 minutes - 51.4 MBEvery historic home has a story and a host of families that saw them through the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Great Depression and beyond. In this episode, Rebekah once again welcomes Limestone County native and retired Professor of Art History, Lakin Boyd, for a continued talk about the houses and their residents who were pivotal players in the early days of Athens and Limestone County, Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Limest...
Historic Homes in Limestone County - Part I
March 07, 2022 15:59 - 43 minutes - 66.2 MBRebekah and Richard welcome Limestone County native and retired Professor of Art History, Lakin Boyd. Lakin shares his extensive research on historic homes of Limestone County. Dating back to the early 1800’s, he talks about the different architectural styles through the years as well as stories of the early residents, some of whom had a front row seat for the Civil War's Battle of Athens. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Limest...
Athens State University, 200 Years, with Dr. Harry Joiner
January 25, 2022 20:11 - 56 minutes - 48.8 MBAthens State University is the oldest continuously operated institution of higher education in the Alabama state system and will celebrate its bicentennial in 2022. Surviving epidemics, wars, and economic hardship, the college has overcome adversity and grown thanks to the hard work and generosity of the people of Athens and Limestone County. Dr. Harry Joiner, Professor Emeritus at Athens State University, discusses its history from the early days as a female academy to a modern da...
Ardmore (A Tale of Two Cities) with Ronnie Cornelison and David Walker
December 16, 2021 20:05 - 28 minutes - 23.2 MBStraddling two states and four county lines, Ardmore is a unique town with a storied past. With origins dating back to the Trail of Tears and a boost from the L&N Railroad, Ardmore grew from a trading post into a thriving town. In this episode we hear about 1930s bootlegging traffic and an incident involving the Freedom Riders during the 1960s Civil Rights movement. Also, the murder of an Ardmore man, Kirby Cole - immortalized in song by Athens native, Aaron Sims. Links https:/...
More...Telling Tales with Doug Wells
November 18, 2021 18:11 - 34 minutes - 29.8 MBOnce again, Rebekah and Richard talk with Limestone County native and storyteller, Doug Wells. City boy (Richard) and farm boy (Doug) compare notes and remember their Athens teenage years. Listen to their stories about football rivalries, courting, and fun at the county fair while coming of age in Limestone County, Alabama in the 1950's. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Music from Pixabay
Homegrown HAUNTED History
October 29, 2021 17:04 - 38 minutes - 28.7 MBHomegrown HAUNTED History – a special Halloween ghostly episode with Rebekah, Richard, and local author Shane Black. Haunted halls, glowing balls, and noises in the night with special appearances by Charles Sarver, George Houston, and Mary....Listen if you dare…… Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ https://www.visitathensal.com/ Music and Sound Effects from Pixabay
Telling Tales with Doug Wells
October 19, 2021 16:05 - 31 minutes - 26.7 MBRebekah and Richard talk with Limestone County native and storyteller, Doug Wells. Laugh out loud as Doug and Richard recount growing up, going to town, and getting in trouble as young boys in 1940's Limestone County. They talk about standing room only Saturday nights on the Athens Square and paint a lively picture of life in a bygone era. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Music from Pixabay
Tornadoes in Dixie Alley with Kelly Kazek
September 14, 2021 18:49 - 37 minutes - 32 MBApril 27, 2011. 62 tornadoes struck Alabama, 7 hit Limestone County. Richard and Rebekah talk to Kelly Kazek, a local author who witnessed this tornado and has interviewed survivors of some of Alabama’s most devastating tornadoes. From families and homes upended to survivors left for dead, their stories range from heartbreaking to inspirational. Notes: Books available at the Limestone County Archive and Athens-Limestone Public library include: "A history of Alabama's deadliest ...
Limestone County: Wild and ‘Wooley’ Days (1818 - 1850's)
August 16, 2021 15:16 - 34 minutes - 29.6 MBRebekah and Richard recount the lively early days of the Athens Square with bear fights, horse races and a jail housing pet panthers! They discuss the significance of Cottonport as a transportation hub and Wooley Springs as an early recreation and wellness resort. In telling the story of the first railroad in Limestone County, they talk about its founders and importance for early residents. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Have qu...
Early Limestone County (Part 2) with Dr. Harry Joiner
July 22, 2021 17:58 - 43 minutes - 34.4 MBDr. Harry Joiner continues his talk with Richard and Rebekah on the early days of Limestone County, Alabama. Find out how Alabama went from unsettled territory to statehood, where its boundaries were carved, and why it almost became part of Mississippi. Dr. Joiner also talks about the the origin and cost of 192 acres that is now Athens, Alabama. Links https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ More Info The Foxfire book series on Appalachian histo...
Early Limestone County (Part 1) with Dr. Harry Joiner
July 09, 2021 19:54 - 39 minutes - 34 MBRebekah Davis and Richard Martin talk to special guest, Dr. Harry Joiner. A historian and author of early Alabama history, Dr. Joiner tells where dinosaurs roamed in North Alabama, how the valleys were carved from mountains and rivers, and why the mussels of the Muscle Shoals were an important food source for early cave dwellers.. He also talks about early Native Americans and where to see ancient Indian mounds today. Links: https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ ht...
Trail of Tears with David Walker and Ronnie Cornelison
July 09, 2021 19:53 - 37 minutes - 32.5 MBDiscover the history of the Trail of Tears with Rebekah Davis, Limestone County archivist, and Athens, Alabama native, Richard Martin. Their guests are David Walker and Ronnie Cornelison, local experts who have studied Native Americans and the early roads they walked from Alabama to Oklahoma after the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Find out how these roads were uncovered using map layering technology and where you can go to follow the Trail of Tears. https://www.okhistory.org/research...
Limestone County History Introduction
June 15, 2021 19:33 - 21 minutes - 15.8 MBMeet Rebekah Davis, Limestone County Alabama archivist, and long-time Athens, AL native, Richard Martin, as they talk about the unique history of Limestone County, Alabama. Rebekah and Richard talk about their personal connection to Limestone County and touch on topics they will be featuring on future episodes of Homegrown History. Links: https://limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/archives/ https://www.alcpl.org/ Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] ...