BACKSTORY

Patriotic Magnolia Springs

Photo courtesy Doris Rich Collection, The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama

THE TOWN OF MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, tucked into a bend of Baldwin County’s Magnolia River, has origins tracing back to a Spanish land grant in 1800. Named for its abundance of magnolia trees and crystal clear springs, the town grew quickly after the Civil War, thanks in part to the arrival of soldiers who had been enchanted by the area during their service. Throughout the years, Independence Day was (and still is) a noted celebration in the town. It often included orations, competitions, food and dancing until evening. The celebration pictured below, from either 1910 or 1912, looks to have attracted a large crowd, perhaps observing a boating or swimming race in the river. “The oration by the elegant Bishop Beckwith will bring something worthy of attention and remembrance. The music by the Magnolia Springs Orchestra, ... the athletic contest, foot races, boat races, and swimming races, concluding with a dance at the town hall, will make July 4, 1912, a day of pastime and pleasure.”

– news clipping from The Foley Onlooker, 1912

31

Length in miles of the Magnolia Springs postal route by water. If mail were delivered over land, the winding route would be nearly twice as long.

48

The number of stars on the 1912 American fl ag, which debuted on July 4 of that year. The updated fl ag refl ected the additi on of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union.

$6.50

Price of a men’s “fi ne grade Peruvian Panama hat,” much like the ones pictured above, in the spring 1912 Sears Catalog.

25

The number of gold medals the U.S. won in the 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics. These were the last games to award solid gold medals to the champions.

Do you know any further details about this photo? Let us know! Email azimlich@pmtpublishing.com.