The object in this article isn't to slash the South since instead there's a type of southern whimsy in some of their art and it may be unmistakeable relative other variations of this folky artistic dialect so let's have some of that.
For this one I'll throw up a two or three examples and likely you will know from this whether you want to follow the link to the source since they display a great many images such as the example and it's not on a slideshow.
Source: Karen G. Hill via FindaGrave.com
Cherokee County
Grave of Typewriter Inventor, Centre
John Pratt, inventor of the typewriter, is buried in Pratt Memorial Park on County Road 265 in Centre.
Maybe you think so what but he did that and Chattanooga isn't a small town but still they were proud of him.
Source: RuralSWAlabama.com
Choctaw County
Alabama’s first oil well, Gilbertown
RuralSWAlabama.org says: “On January 2, 1944, the State of Alabama granted Hunt Oil Company a permit to drill the A. R. Jackson Well No. 1 at Gilbertown, AL. Hunt Oil Company was owned by the famous oil man, H. L. Hunt of Dallas, Texas. The drilling commenced on January 10, 1944, and oil was struck approximately one month later at 2,580 feet in fractured Selma chalk. The discovery of this well led to the creation of the State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama in 1945, and to the development and growth of the petroleum industry in Alabama.”
Practically everyone anywhere thinks those wells are eyesores but it was an extremely big deal in their history so they made it a shrine.
Contributed by Wil Elrick
Coffee County
Boll Weevil Monument, Enterprise
The World’s Largest Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise is the world’s largest boll weevil monument – and the world’s only boll weevil monument. It was erected after the pesky insect destroyed crops, forcing farmers to diversify, as a reminder to how they overcame adversity. It was dedicated Dec. 11, 1919, at College and Main streets in downtown Enterprise.
How can you possibly pass on the Boll Weevil Monument to recognize its significance of history?
Maybe it hits you as kitsch and you keep moving but maybe you pick up a different vibe for these types of monuments and it makes you curious.
Alabama Living: The quirkiest roadside attraction in each of Alabama's 67 counties
These types of monuments aren't only in the South and maybe it's Indiana or Illinois for the world's largest ball of string. These things are obviously ludicrous but they're not when a number of type decide of course it's ludicrous but it's our lunacy and we're diggin' it. There's some stream of Americana in this but there are likely many rivulets within it.
Take a look if you like and don't miss the Junkosaurus.
For this one I'll throw up a two or three examples and likely you will know from this whether you want to follow the link to the source since they display a great many images such as the example and it's not on a slideshow.
Source: Karen G. Hill via FindaGrave.com
Cherokee County
Grave of Typewriter Inventor, Centre
John Pratt, inventor of the typewriter, is buried in Pratt Memorial Park on County Road 265 in Centre.
Maybe you think so what but he did that and Chattanooga isn't a small town but still they were proud of him.
Source: RuralSWAlabama.com
Choctaw County
Alabama’s first oil well, Gilbertown
RuralSWAlabama.org says: “On January 2, 1944, the State of Alabama granted Hunt Oil Company a permit to drill the A. R. Jackson Well No. 1 at Gilbertown, AL. Hunt Oil Company was owned by the famous oil man, H. L. Hunt of Dallas, Texas. The drilling commenced on January 10, 1944, and oil was struck approximately one month later at 2,580 feet in fractured Selma chalk. The discovery of this well led to the creation of the State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama in 1945, and to the development and growth of the petroleum industry in Alabama.”
Practically everyone anywhere thinks those wells are eyesores but it was an extremely big deal in their history so they made it a shrine.
Contributed by Wil Elrick
Coffee County
Boll Weevil Monument, Enterprise
The World’s Largest Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise is the world’s largest boll weevil monument – and the world’s only boll weevil monument. It was erected after the pesky insect destroyed crops, forcing farmers to diversify, as a reminder to how they overcame adversity. It was dedicated Dec. 11, 1919, at College and Main streets in downtown Enterprise.
How can you possibly pass on the Boll Weevil Monument to recognize its significance of history?
Maybe it hits you as kitsch and you keep moving but maybe you pick up a different vibe for these types of monuments and it makes you curious.
Alabama Living: The quirkiest roadside attraction in each of Alabama's 67 counties
These types of monuments aren't only in the South and maybe it's Indiana or Illinois for the world's largest ball of string. These things are obviously ludicrous but they're not when a number of type decide of course it's ludicrous but it's our lunacy and we're diggin' it. There's some stream of Americana in this but there are likely many rivulets within it.
Take a look if you like and don't miss the Junkosaurus.
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