Local foundation aiming for stone gateways

Trussville’s Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation, Inc. is fundraising for future stone gateways to complement the Cahaba Project.

The foundation announced the stone gateways project May 1 but is actively fundraising toward a goal of $50,000.

The stone gateways project will identify Trussville’s historic community with entrances reading: “Cahaba Homestead Village — U.S. Resettlement Administration — Est. 1936-1938.” The sandstone entrance designs are based on the original sandstone entrance at the Parkway Drive and Alabama 11 intersection. The three propose d locations, which surround the boundaries of the Cahaba Project, include:

► Chalkville Road/Rockridge Avenue/Poplar Street intersection

► Poplar Street/Parkway Drive intersection

► Magnolia Mall along Chalkville Road between Hewitt Street and Magnolia Court

The foundation’s president, Amy Peterson O’Brien, said the goal is to be “sensitive” to the fact that the Cahaba Project is Trussville’s historic district.

“How do we enhance it and not detract from it?” O’Brien said.

The stone gateways project falls under a larger umbrella called “Cahaba 100,” which will celebrate the Cahaba Project’s centennial years of 2036 through 2038.

“It’s really just an initiative to bring the community together, to add beauty, to add value, and to help tell the history of the historic district of Trussville,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said the foundation wanted to fundraise instead of asking the Trussville City Council for funding, though she did say Mayor Buddy Choat supports the stone gateways initiative.

“I think this is a great opportunity to get the community together to invest in our community,” she said.

Each stone gateway entrance will include engraved brick pavers that form a pathway that connects to nearby sidewalks. The gateways will be functional — space for Christmas wreaths, flags and spots to sit. The simple engraving on each is meant to educate about the historical significance of the Cahaba Project.

“You don’t know that if you don’t live here,” O’Brien said. “Even if you live here some people don’t know that because unless you’re getting out of your car to read the [Cahaba Project] historic marker, it’s not that visible. This would make you not miss it.”

Donations for the stone gateways project are fully tax-deductible and can be made to the foundation via PayPal or mailed to P.O. Box 53, Trussville, AL 35173.

The Cahaba Project, a Resettlement Administration housing project consisting of 244 single-family homes and 43 duplexes, was constructed between 1936 and 1938 at a cost of $2,661,981. The total cost included work on public utilities, streets, curbs, gutters and public buildings comprising the high school, community building and co-operative store. The acreage cost was not included.

Skirting the housing development was a green stretch of properties designated as park areas to protect the encroachment of any development that may detract from the beauty of the community. The properties took two years to construct and were opened in April 1938. A waterworks, sewage disposal plant, paved and lighted streets and some sidewalks were provided.

The neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.

For more information, visit cahabaheritage.org/cahaba-100.