49 Interesting Facts About Alabama

Last updated on February 7th, 2023

43. The Hidden Alabama Waterfall: Never Sink Pit, Fackler is one of the most scenic limestone sinkholes. Water cascades down a 162-feet rocky portal. Cave divers frequent the site and capture incredible pictures of the breathtaking phenomenal. It is a top attraction for hikers, travelers, and adventurers.

44. The Urban Legend of Sloss Furnace: when Sloss Furnaces closed down, it turned into the first industrial facility in the US for public use in 1981. The US Department of the Interior named it a National Historic Landmark which now hosts metal arts programs as the interpretive museum of industry. It is also a recognized venue for festivals and concerts.

45. The World’s Biggest Motorcycle Museum: Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham is where get to see a bronze statue featuring 3 men riding bicycles and wearing caps. It was established by George H. Barber, a bazillionaire who was the sponsor of the odd art projects like Bamahenge and Alabama’s Lady.

46. Auburn’s Battle Cry: Auburn War Eagle is neither a nickname nor a mascot. It carries a long history of great importance in the Auburn community. Students, fans, and alumni use the phrase ‘War Eagle’ as their unique identity no matter where they meet. The first legend of the battle cry dates back to 1892 when Auburn met Georgia on a football pitch. That day, his eagle that he had kept as a pet for 3 decades broke free and started circling the football ground. That is when Auburn steadily marched towards the end zone of Georgia and a victory ensued. Then the Auburn community shouted ‘War Eagle’ to cheer up their team. Suddenly, the bird took a dive and died after crashing on the field. It became a symbol of Auburn’s spirit.

47. Haunted Tuscaloosa Tours: there are several haunted sites in Tuscaloosa with hair-raising scenes starting from the historic Drish House. This is regarded as the most haunted dwelling place in Alabama. Together with the other 16 locations, it is associated with spine-chilling tales and dark history of Tuscaloosa. Visitors are offered guided tours on vintage bust-style coaches. The excursions may involve walking so it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear.

48. Point Mallard Park: a 750-acre Point Mallard Park in Decatur offers a golf-course, biking trails, and hiking. There is an aquatic center featuring water slides, wave pool, kiddie pools, and an Olympic-size diving pool. It also has a skating complex where skaters enjoy tear-round ice-skating.

49. Rainbow Mountain Trail, Madison: this mile and a half trail gives opportunities for runners, dog owners. And hikers to adventure into the Rainbow Mountain range. It is a moderately easy trail that can be accessed any month. Its forested areas cross creek beds, and parking lots are home to beautiful flora and fauna. The trail crisscrosses other trails like Ja Moo Koo Loop Trail and Jakes Trail. Towards the end is a historic playground around the intersection of Rainbow Mountain and Spring Trail.

About the Flag of Alabama

1. Design and Symbolism

The flag of Alabama has a diagonal crimson cross on a white field, with thick bars running from corner to corner. The X-shaped cross is also called a saltire. There are no other markings on the rectangular banner.

The law states that it is a Cross of Saint Andrew — a heraldic symbol that also appears in the flags of Scotland and the Confederate States. The name comes from Andrew the Apostle, who became a martyr after his crucifixion. According to legend, he became a patron saint after helping the Scots win a difficult battle.

2. Adoption

The Alabama legislature adopted the first state flag on February 16, 1895. Before this, a secession flag briefly flew in 1861.

3. Technical Details

The official flag has a proportion of 2:3, while the bars forming the cross must be at least six inches thick — a specification that makes compliance difficult for small flags.

The law does not stipulate an exact ratio, leading some to make square Alabama flags. In 1987, Alabama Attorney General Don Siegelman clarified that the state flag is rectangular.

4. History

In 1895, Rep. John W. A. Sanford Jr. introduced a bill to adopt a state flag. It described the design but not the meaning behind it. Speculations about the symbolism are rampant as sources point to different possibilities.

In 1915, the first director of the Department of Archives and History, Thomas M. Owen, wrote that the legislature intended to preserve features of the Confederate battle flag.

In 1924, Bell Allen Ross of the “Daughters of the Confederacy” said that Sanford based the design on his father’s battle flag for the Hilliard’s Legion regiment. A surviving copy shows a blue field with sixteen stars forming a circle and two bands forming a cross.

In 2020, the current director of Alabama archives, Steve Murray, voiced his doubts about battle flag connections due to significant design differences. He noted that the new flag could be part of the preparations for the Atlanta exposition later that year.

Others note the comparable red saltires in the flags of Alabama and Florida. If we look back at history, Southern Alabama was part of West Florida. The seal of Florida had this cross as early as 1868. It may have served as a design influence.

5. Other Flags

A variant state flag has the same crimson cross with the Alabama military crest at the bottom and the Coat of Arms on the top. It serves as the official flag of the governor.

Alabama was the 22^nd state admitted to the Union in 1819. However, it declared secession in 1861 and joined the Confederacy in the Civil War. The Alabama Secession Convention designated a special flag for the movement.

At the front, you will see the goddess Liberty holding a sword and a banner with the state name. Above her are the words “Independent Now and Forever.” At the back is a rattlesnake guarding a cotton plant – a symbol of the plantations. Below are the Latin words “Noli Me Tangere” (Touch Me Not). Bad weather damaged the flag soon after.

Alabama – Quick facts and state symbols