‘Alabama History Films’ Archives
"Boom Town" Chronicled Childersburg, Alabama WWII Growth
Childersburg is a town of 5,000 located in Talladega County southeast of Birmingham. The major employer there is a paper mill that operates on the banks of the Coosa River. By all indications, Childersburg is, and always has been, a quiet little town. But that is not the case as shown in the 2002 documentary "Boom Town." During the 1940s Childersburg experienced explosive growth when the US Army decided to locate an ammunition plant there. Thousands of people from across the nation came to work on the massive construction project spreading over 13,500 acres. The Alabama Army Ammunition [...]
Gambling Debate Is Not New To Alabama
Present discussions regarding gambling here in Alabama are reminiscent of a time in the state's past when Phenix City allowed many forms of gambling and state government officials looked the other way. Phenix City’s past was the subject of my documentary, “Up from the Ashes: The Rebirth of Phenix City.” I did the documentary, which was nominated for an Emmy Award, ten years ago. There has been renewed interest in Phenix City's story recently because the state of Alabama is currently involved in a vigorous debate regarding bingo. Higher forms of gambling are forbidden here by state [...]
Alabama History Films
All titles are for sale unless otherwise noted. See bottom of page for how to order DVDs. Across Alabama's Black Belt on Highway 80 Called the Black Belt because of its rich, dark soil, the area of south Alabama traversed by Highway 80 on its route across the southern U.S. was the staging ground for some of Alabama's most significant moments in history. It was here that DeSoto met Tuscaloosa, cotton plantations flourished, the Confederacy was born, and civil rights were won. Follow Highway 80 through Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, and Tuskegee on a journey through Alabama history. [...]