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Community Heroes Series
From the November 2003 issue of Alabama Living magazine
 Article
by Kay Marshall
Marion
County is rich. Yes, rich.
We are a county that is chocked full of history and tales of honor
and glory. We are a county with renown connections to famous people
and events. We are a county with a quiet but significant passing
of cultures and tribes from centuries ago. We are significant, and
we should be working together to promote our rich history for others
to marvel at, to talk and read about and most importantly...to visit.
So who is promoting our cultural and historical heritage to the
world? Currently our only constant preservers of historical events
and sites in Marion County is a little known group of county citizens,
the Marion County Historical Society.
History Buffs Unite!
In the 1990's, a small group of his-tory buffs decided to charter
a local historical society centered around Marion County.
The Charter members were Willie Fikes, Nannette Lawhon, Annette
Sherrill, Virgil McGuire, Caroline Mixon, Pam (Mrs. Jim) Mixon,
Gera Terrell, and Bill Mayhall. Membership in the Historical Society
hovers at fifteen steady members and a few others who pay the membership
dues of $10 per year but do not actually attend the meetings. The
Society’s desire is to increase their membership in 2004 and
establish a strong and committed group of individuals to help them
proceed with the projects and plans they have set in action this
year. “We've never really gotten out and advertised the society
because we have not had the financial means to send out information,”
said the society’s Secretary-Treasurer, Sharon Rudicell-Dickenson,
of Hackleburg. Vice president, Virgil McGuire seconded this fact.
“We're just now getting to the point where we have out-of-state
interest and we're trying to get enough local backing so that we
can belong to the national and state associations,” he said.
The current dues of $10 per year will increase to $25 per year when
the society becomes affiliated with the other two agencies, but
considering what they bring to our county, that's still a bargain!
What defines a member?
Now here’s a thought that will wake you up. Here we are, living
in our houses, creating memories, and in fifty or so years, someone
from a future historical society may well be dredging up our past
or working hard to preserve our home. Imagine how honored (or horrified)
we might be to know that!
The current members of the Marion County Historical Society are
doing just that very thing for the past residents and others who
have marked our local tapestry with their presence.
The interest in the members, while ranging from one specific thing
to another, eventually form a concentric circle of general historical
enthusiasm.
Some members, like Sharon Rudicell-Dickenson, are involved from
a purely preservationist standpoint. “I just like it because
I enjoy the people and I certainly enjoy preserving the many historical
areas in our community like the old Jail, the old Courthouse...Somebody
just let  everything
go!” she said.
Club President and charter member, Willie Fikes, has stated that
she is interested in the people here and she loves to share as well
as partake of the many stories about our county.
Some have a pointed interest in working toward a particular goal
such as the establishment of horseback riding trails along the local
Indian Mounds. Others are members of both the local county Genealogical
Society as well as the Historical Society and act as an intermediary
for both associations. And then there are those who have joined
due to cultural interest, like John Berryhill, who currently serves
as Chief of the local Bird Clan of the Echota Indian tribe, and
of course there are those who are descendants of our fore-fathers
such as Bobby Terrell, a relative of Judge John Dabney Terrell (as
is the author). Joe Lolley, also a decendant of Judge Terrell is
the current owner of the home. Whatever the reasons their contributions
show pride in our county and they showcase our local heritage.
Projects & Plans
It may be surprising to note that this small, but determined and
plodding, group has been quietly successful in their first decade
of service to the county. Some of the past projects have included
county bus tours, formerly in connection with Bevill State Community
College, that visited local sites such as Pearce's Mill & Cemetery,
the Captain A.J. Hamilton House, Pikeville, the Judge Terrell's
House, Ford's Mill, the Bankhead Home in Lamar County - which used
to be part of Marion, and the Moscow Tavern, also in what is now
Lamar County. The tour was led by Dr. John Allman, III and consisted
of teachers, students and people who were interested in Marion County,
including former residents  who
heard of the tour and came back to participate.
During the early ‘90’s, the tours were always booked and
successful. The last tour conducted was in June of 1993, but the
Society is always willing to recharter the tour if interest abounds.
Other projects, already completed include the official state historical
marker at the Judge Terrell House in what used to be known as Pikeville.
Now that the marker is down, the state chapter of the CSA (Confederate
Son's of America) is working with the historical society on restoring
the Pikeville Courthouse. The Historical Commission, through the
CSA, is working with the Society on this project, and it is currently
in the planning stages.
In addition to the marker at the Judge Terrell House, the Society
is trying to secure markers for the Toll Gate area, the Indian Mounds,
and Jackson Military Road. A historical marker also eventually will
be placed at the old Hamilton House, near downtown Hamilton.
Indian Mounds & Riding Trails
One of the major endeavors of the Historical Society is that of
the restoration and preservation of the Indian Mounds. These historic
Mounds are located on the Buttahatchee River, two miles south of
Hamilton, and are along Jackson's Military Highway. The Mounds hold
Chickasaw Indian Chief Levi Colbert, after which Colbert County
was named, along with numerous other gravesites and artifacts.
Virgil McGuire, a man who others have described as a “walking
history book”, gave a vivid portrait of Chief Colbert.
“Levi was best friends with Judge John Dabney Terrell, who
is also buried in the Indian Mounds. The two men from different
cultural backgrounds both shared leadership qualities and a lifelong
friendship. In fact, part of Terrell’s burial clothing was
a panther-skinned vest that was presented to him as a gift by Levi
Colbert,” said McGuire.
The impact that the Mounds could have on our county, economically
speaking, is impressive. Do a few “What if’s” and
you’ll soon see the importance of helping the Society reach
their goals of preserving and enhancing this area of our county.
Need some help with the “What if’s?” ...Think Moundville,
Alabama... Think tourism... Think campgrounds... Think educational
resources... Think additional revenue from monies spent here in
our county.... It’s all good.
Although their task on this project is daunting, the members have
certainly not taken a laid-back approach. A lot has already been
accomplished. They have been aided by the USDA and the Corp of Engineers
to prohibit the encroachment of erosion along a one-half mile section
of the Mounds. They have completed the required archeological studies
which dates the area and details the cultural activities that took
place there. “During the study we found Indian pottery with
blue flying fish on it which were collected and sent to Moundville,”
explained McGuire. For those who may not know, Moundville is a state
park for Indian culture and is the depository for Indian artifacts
from all over the state of Alabama. It is also a highly successful
tourist spot.
The Society has also received per-
mission for right of ways from area property owners; the land has
been surveyed; they have found a grant writer and have applied for
grants but are in dire need for more funds to complete this beneficial
county project.
“Right now,” said McGuire, “we've applied for another
$87,000 because when we first began our estimates were made in 1992-1993.
Ten years later these estimates are about 50 percent less than needed
due to inflation,” he said. All of the members are endeared
to this project. “It would be a great asset to our area and
would be a way for children to learn about our local heritage and
have field trips. It would also be a place to go on walks or horseback
rides for all of our citizens. Videos could be made for education
and distributed throughout the county as well,” said Rudicell-Dickenson,
a retired teacher.
Indian Heritage
The Indian Mound project tips a hat at our county’s ancient
Indian history. John Berryhill, Chief of the Bird Clan of the Echotas,
has a vision of a local powwow for tribes around the state and as
a stop in the nationwide Trail of Tears pilgrimage. “The Mounds
actually belong to the Chickasaw and up further north to the Cherokee.
The Echotas are interested in the Mounds for cultural reasons, and
we want to see them preserved for the heritage of all Native Americans,”
said Berryhill. “The Mounds would also be a great attraction
for people coming into the area and the crossing of Military Road
runs right through the Mounds and would add to the interest. Andrew
Jackson and his troops actually camped out at that crossing,”
added Berryhill.
How can you help?
Come to the meetings and donate your time, your money, and your
wisdom. Meetings are held at Hamilton’s City Hall each second
Monday of the month at 6:00 PM. The Society welcomes anyone regardless
of whether you decide to officially join or not... just come. Come
out for Marion County and get behind this project and help not only
ourselves but our county!
For more information call Sharon Dickenson at 205.935.3723.
Kay Marshall is the Internet
Projects & Marketing Coordinator and Editor for TEC
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