Miscellaneous Americana, American Culture and History, Part VII

For those who take time to look and think about what they see, there are many things around that reflect America's culture and history. Old cars and old barns and old churches and other old buildings reflect the America that we hardly see these days.

Back in the 1850's, a railroad was built from Columbia, Tennessee to Decatur, Alabama. That rail line included the stone tunnel shown here. This one-lane tunnel is still part of a public road, Petty Branch Road, and open to traffic in Giles County, Tennessee.

This Stone Railroad Tunnel was Built in the 1850's

---

Bald Eagles, once endangered in the lower 48 states, are becoming common in many areas. North Alabama is home to dozens, if not hundreds, of Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagle Sits In a Tree

---

For a few of us, this mower was once the normal way to mow grass.

This mower was at an antique shop in Lewisburg, Tennessee.

Old Lawn Mower At An Antique Shop

---

By one name or another, the Decatur Daily newspaper has been around in north Alabama for over a hundred years.

Barret C. Shelton's father, William Randolph Shelton, established Decatur's newspaper in 1912. In 1916 the paper was renamed the Albany-Decatur Daily newspaper to reflect the name change of New Decatur to Albany, and in 1927 it was named the Decatur Daily when the "Twin Cities" formally united. Shelton took over the paper in 1924 after the death of his father and spent the remainder of his nearly sixty-year career at the helm of that institution. Sheldon, affectionately know as the "Old Man" was known far and wide as a booster of Decatur. He was the first chairman of the Tennessee River Valley Development Association and in that capacity he cooperated with the Tennessee Valley Authority to promote industrial development of the region, even delivering a speech on the subject to the United Nations in 1949. This well-worn typewriter testifies to the countless article, letters, and memos written by the "Old Man" in support of the community.

Old Typewriter From the Early to Mid-twentieth Century

---

Back before there were government programs like FDIC to insure the money kept in banks, a successful bank needed to do two things - keep people's money safe and make the public believe that the money was safe. To do that banks sometimes put large vaults in the front area of the bank so that people could see it.

The Morgan County (Alabama) Archives operates in a building that was once a bank, built in 1927. The large bank vault, featuring a 17 ton door, is still there in the main part of the Archives.

Old Bank Vault circa 1927

---

Corinth, Mississippi is a beautiful Southern town and is full of history, American culture, and Antebellum architecture. A casual stroll around the historic city is a photographer's delight.

Red Patio Chairs

---

In the Elk River Mills area of Limestone County, Alabama, one can travel down Baker Hill Road and before they reach the river they can see the Gilbert Covered Bridge spanning a stream there on the left side of the road.

Gilbert Covered Bridge

---

The old servant's quarters behind the old Burleson-Hines-McEntire house in Decatur, Alabama.

Old Log Cabin in Decatur

---

In Limestone County, Alabama, much of the old railroad bed that once ran from Columbia, Tennessee to Decatur, Alabama is now a walking trail. For those walking the trail who use a sharp eye to look for old structures and sings of a different period in history, there are treasures to be seen.

Below is one of a few old rock culverts built during the railroad construction during the 1850's.

Old Rock Culvert on An Old Railroad Line

---

Bluegrass music is one of the few purely American styles of music. It is celebrated and performed across America regularly. Here singers at the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Athens, Alabama sing some of that "good old bluegrass".

Singing That Good Old Bluegrass!

---

Marshall County in northeast Alabama is one of a few counties that border beautiful Lake Guntersville. The lake is a favorite for swimming, skiing, sailboating, fishing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities. That area is a favorite for many outdoor photographers.

A Juvenile Eagle and Two Sailboats

---

Photography is a great hobby that leads the photographers to take notice if his/her surroundings. The history and culture of America are still visible in 2025 for those who will take notice as they move around our country. You just just have to take time to look and think about what you are seeing.

And remember that comments are welcomed here in the box at the bottom of this page. I really like reading those comments. You can ask questions there as well. I will try hard to give you a good answer.

Also note that if you hit that "Log In" button at the top of this page and become a member of Picture Americana, you will get an email notification whenever a new blog is posted. I really appreciate people becoming members.

#americana #decaturalabama #morgancountyalabama #miscellaneous #rockybaker #lakeguntersville #oldrailroad #antebellumhome #bluegrassmusic #coveredbridge #decaturdailynewspaper #tennesseeriver