A Roman Forum in Scale with Tuscaloosa: Ruins of the Old State Capitol Building, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
A Roman Forum in Scale with Tuscaloosa: Ruins of the Old State Capitol Building, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
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Historic Photograph of the Old State Capitol Building in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The extant built environment at Tuscaloosa certainly represents a period of eminence prior to the American Civil War. From 1826 to 1846, the city served as the state capitol of Alabama. Previously the capitol was at Cahaba from 1820 to 1825, but was relocated to Tuscaloosa due to flooding. Still an important part of Tuscaloosa’s economic viability, the University of Alabama was founded there in 1831.
Ruins of the Old State Capitol Building at Tuscaloosa
Between 1826 and 1832, Tuscaloosa was home to the eminent English-born architect, William Nichols (1780-1853) who is known for his early Neoclassical-style buildings in the Deep South. This period was his tenure as the official state architect. And it was during this time that he designed the state capitol building in Tuscaloosa as well as the original campus of the University of Alabama. The Old Alabama State Capitol was designed and constructed between 1827 and 1829. Construction costs totaled roughly $100K. The building was used as the state capitol until 1846 when state government removed to Montgomery (a town with far less charm than Tuscaloosa).
Ruins of the Foundation and Column Capitals.
After the state moved its operations to a more central local, the old state capitol building housed the Alabama Central Female College. The building burned in 1923. And as they say poverty is preservation. The ruins were never cleared. And they remain today as the center of a small park surrounded by a residential neighborhood composed primarily of 19th and early 20th century dwellings.
Ruins of Colonnade
Upon approaching the ruins, one might suppose that the ruins were staged, but they were not. The place is actually very peaceful. It has a certain charm that is hard to come by in America. While it looses its luster to the short period of use, it is nice to think that the roman forum could exist in Tuscaloosa or at least a version appropriate to the size of its city…
Ruins of Interior Wall
