Alabama Mining Museum, Dora School, Gymnasium, Between U.S. 78 & Burlington Northern Railroad, Dora

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ALA,64-DORA,2A-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

35 miles northwest of Birmingham, just off WC 81, Dora, Walker County, Alabama. The site is divided into two 10 acre tracts. Primary access is currently available from US 78 along Walker County 81, approximately three miles to the south. Ownership: The 10 acres of the site on which the mining museum and its collections are located is owned by the Walker County Board of Education. The football field is situated on 10 acres of land owned by the City of Dora. Both properties have been leased by the Alabama Mining Museum for 50 years at a rate of per year. Date of Construction: Builder/Architect/ Engineer: WPA

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ALA,64-DORA,2A-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This report is based on written documentation donated by the Birmingham Historical Society, reformatted to HABS/HAER guidelines. Significance State's only museum devoted to preservation of coal mining collections and heritage Historical Overview: The Alabama Mining Museum, established in "to develop a museum and appropriate service to compliment this museum" is housed in the former Dora High School Gymnasium. Condition: The museum facility and rolling stock are in good condition. Restoration of Wyatt Elementary has just been completed and restoration of the depot is currently ongoing. ALABAMA MINING MUSEUM, DORA SCHOOL, GYMNASIUM HABS No. AL-978-A (Page 2)

Description

The former Dora High School Gymnasium is a three-story sandstone structure with wooden truss roof built in as a WPA project. The museum site is situated above a honey comb of former coal mines. Collections of the museum include photographs; bookkeeping records of the DeBardeleben Coal Company, one of the larger mine operators in the surrounding area; correspondence, claquer and memorabilia documenting area mining operations and community life. Current exhibits include displays of pick and shovel mining, a turn of the century mining camp residence interior, a blacksmith's forge, mine money, doctor's office, home life displays and TCI fomer chief mining engineer Erskine Ramsay's Mining Lamp Collection.

In addition to the various collections, the museum houses a gift shop, offices, restrooms and display-meeting area. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Topography: The property is situated on a hill that gently slopes to the south. A level area, once the Dora High School Football Field, has been dug out of the hillside behind the Museum. Hydrology: No prominent water features exist on the site. The property drains to Horse Creek, which is located one quarter mile to the northwest. Horse Creek was the original name for Dora. Geology: The museum site, as well as most of the surrounding Dora Community, is situated above 6 honey combed coal mines. Vegetation: The museum site has a well-maintained lawn area, with intermittently spaced large shade trees.

A large heavily wooded nature area to the north and west borders the property. HISTORIC RESOURCES The following historic structures and equipment exist on the site. 1. The Alabama Mining Museum Building The Alabama Mining Museum Building is constructed of sandstone with a wood truss roof. This building was constructed by the WPA and originally functioned as the Dora High School Gymnasium. In addition to the various collections, the Museum houses a gift shop, offices, restrooms, and an art display area. 2. The Wvatt Elementary School The Wyatt Elementary School is a white wood frame structure. This school is a former Walker County school for Blacks that was moved to the site. 3. The Walker Sports Hall of Fame Building ALABAMA MINING MUSEUM, DORA SCHOOL, GYMNASIUM HABS No.

AL-978-A (Page 3) 4. Alabama Central Railroad Locomotive The Alabama Central Railroad Locomotive hauled coal and timber in Walker County between and 5. Birmingham Southern Railroad Ore Car 6. Caboose The Frisco (now Burlington Northern) Railroad caboose car was moved to the site from Kansas. 7 - The Oakman Railroad Depot The Oakman Railroad Depot has been moved to the site and is currently being re-assembled. It is a one-story wood frame structure with separate waiting rooms formerly designated for blacks and whites. The interior also contains a brick, triangular- snaped fireplace. Other Site Improvements The site has a large gravel parking lot situated on the foundation of the former Dora High School building, which burned. ALABAMA MINING MUSEUM, DORA SCHOOL, GYMNASIUM HABS No.

AL-978-A (Page 4) Sources Consulted Documentation provided by Eddie Key, Director Site Visit,