Last
weekend, the town of Hobson City celebrated its 118th Founders Day. Founded on
August 16, 1899, Hobson City is the oldest incorporated African American city
in Alabama and the third oldest in the United States.
During
the time prior to its founding, Hobson City was known as the Mooree Quarter of Oxford, and its African American citizens were allowed to vote in city and county elections. After an
African American justice of the peace was elected in a municipal election, the
boundaries were redrawn to leave the settlement in the county.
Three
years later, citizens petitioned to become their own municipality. Today, the
town continues to celebrate the accomplishment of their determined founders
with a Heritage Festival, this year featuring presentations from the University
of Alabama and UNC Chapel Hill, as well as the town's annual 5K.
Calhoun
County has a rich civil rights history, stories of a few brave citizens defending the
rights of many. Just a few miles away, the newly declared Freedom Riders National
Monument and Civil Rights trails recount these moments in history. From the moving images of the bus burning
and violence surrounding the Freedom Riders to the stories of local citizens
standing up for equal rights for all and a city responding, Calhoun County is
honored to recognize the bravery and courage these citizens displayed to
achieve all they did.
For
more information, visit:
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