Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
1854 - Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa, a thriving town, capital of Tuscaloosa co., Alabama, on the left bank of the Black Warrior river, at the head of steam boat navigation, 125 miles N.W. from Montgomery, and 818 from Washington. Lat. 83° 12' N., Lon. 87° 42' W. It was formerly the capital of Alabama, and is still one of the principal towns of the state, remarkable for its literary institutions, as well as its active trade. It is the seat of the University of Alabama, founded in 1831, having 9 instructors, 135 under-graduates, and a library of 8000 volumes. The buildings of the University, which are beautifully situated half a mile from the river, cost not less than $150,000. The president's residence cost $35,000. The State Lunatic Asylum is established at this place. Tuscaloosa contains a handsome court house, a number of churches, a United States land-office, 3 or 4 newspaper offices, and several academies or seminaries. The manufacture of cotton and iron is carried on in the vicinity. Large quantities of cotton are shipped here by steamboats to Mobile. A plank-road connects this town with Montgomery, and a branch railroad is projected to the Mobile and Ohio railroad. Population in 1853, estimated at 3500.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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