Alabama, Macon County, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
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This building was completed in 1941 as a restroom, shower, and locker room for administrative and support personnel. It had facilities for both men and women. Both black and white may have used the building. If so, it almost certainly would have been the only integrated facility of its kind in the South at that time.
The Bath and Locker House was probably not used by cadets, since they were at Moton field only a few hours a day. But mechanics, such as the one shown in this photo, needed someplace to shower and store their clothes while working on airplanes and other vehicles at Moton Field.
[Background photo caption reads] Mechanic goes deep into the radial engine of a PT-17.
(African Americans • Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
This building was completed in 1941 as a restroom, shower, and locker room for administrative and support personnel. It had facilities for both men and women. Both black and white may have used the building. If so, it almost certainly would have been the only integrated facility of its kind in the South at that time.
The Bath and Locker House was probably not used by cadets, since they were at Moton field only a few hours a day. But mechanics, such as the one shown in this photo, needed someplace to shower and store their clothes while working on airplanes and other vehicles at Moton Field.
[Background photo caption reads] Mechanic goes deep into the radial engine of a PT-17.
(African Americans • Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Four and a half miles north stands Hat Creek Presbyterian Church, founded by John Irving and associates (first settlers) about 1742. William Irving, son of John, and the noted blind preacher, James Waddel, were among its pastors. The first log building was replaced in 1788, and two other churches have been since built on the original site.
Five miles southeast Is Red Hill the last
home and burial place of Patrick Henry,
governor of Virginia and the great orator
of the American Revolution. Henry is
especially famous for his “Liberty or Death”
speech made in 1775 in Saint John’s Church
in Richmond. Henry purchased Red Hill in
1794 and died there on 6 Jane 1799. To
the east of the reconstructed house
site are the graves of Patrick Henry and his
second wife, Dorothea Dandridge.
The main house was destroyed by fire in
1919 and later reconstructed above the
original foundation. Henry’s law office
survives and has been restored.
Near this site was located the mule entrance to the Cincinnati coal mine. On April 23, 1913, at 12:15 P.M., One of the worst mine explosions in U.S. history occurred in this mine. This disaster resulted in the deaths of 96 miners and 1 rescue team member. The mine was opened in 1835 and was one of the oldest mines in the area.
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty against the enemy in connection with a bombing mission over enemy occupied Europe on 20 February 1944. The aircraft on which Sergeant Mathies was serving as engineer and ball turret gunner was attacked by a squadron of enemy fighters with the result that the co-pilot was killed outright, the pilot wounded and rendered unconscious, the radio operator wounded and the plane severely damaged. Nevertheless Sergeant Mathies and other members of the crew managed to right the plane and fly it back to their home station, where they contacted the control tower and reported the situation. Sergeant Mathies and the navigator volunteered to attempt to land the plane. Other members of the crew were ordered to jump, leaving Sergeant Mathies and the navigator aboard. After observing the distressed aircraft from another plane, Sergeant Mathies' commanding officer decided the damaged plane could not be landed by the inexperienced crew and ordered them to abandon it and parachute to safety. Demonstrating unsurpassed courage and heroism, Sergeant Mathies and the navigator replied that the pilot was still alive but could not be moved and they would not desert him. They were then told to attempt a landing. After two unsuccessful efforts the plane crashed in an open field in a third attempt to land. Sergeant Mathies, the navigator and the pilot were killed.
