Train Depot, Stevenson, Alabama

34°52'7.00"N
85°50'22.00"W
About 107 miles NE of Birmingham

Prompted by an entry in Alabama Off the Beaten Path, we visited Stevenson on our way to Russell Cave. The depot houses a museum of local history that we spent an enjoyable hour browsing through. The attendant graciously narrated our tour through each room, bringing the culture of the area alive. She explained that the stuffed eagle was electrocuted just outside of town and that the Christmas tree of kitchen gadgets stayed up year round because it turned out to be the best way to display them. She also showed us the Christmas decorations she was sorting through, explaining how she'd stretched the museum's meager budget at after-Christmas sales. My favorite exhibit was the room hung with a long series of class photos from the high school. Each included the staff, so I watched the secretary and principal as they aged and the students documented the march of fashion.

Next to the depot is the former hotel, currently hosting city offices. Only the truly exhausted must have slept well so few inches away from the tracks.

Stevenson Depot Days are held every year in June. And the depot is decorated annually for the winter holidays.

When we go back, we will look for Fort Harker and Little Brick.

Storm Damage in Eoline, Alabama

32 deg 59' 46.22"N
87 deg 14' 0.02"W
6.5 miles NW of Centerville.

Eoline is a landmark on our way to the woodpecker swamp in the Talledega National Forest.
James Spann has photos of damage from last night's storm on his weather blog.
I hope everyone there is OK and that the damage is minimal in the morning light.

Calcis, Alabama

33°25'35.05"N 86°25'52.91"W
About 22 miles southeast of Birmingham.

A small community presumably named after the limestone quarried nearby. This stone was used in construction of the Logan Martin Dam. The abandoned Justice store stands at the crossroads. Next door, an old house with gingerbread decoration is being restored.




Some history here.
Photos here.
Seen through the store window: