Photo courtesy of Gary Lloyd
Gary Lloyd’s new book, "The Model City," traces the history of Trussville’s Cahaba Project — a New Deal-era community he hopes future generations will preserve.
Gary Lloyd is no stranger to Trussville history. But his latest work, "The Model City: History, Heritage, and the Hereafter of the Resettlement Administration’s Crown Jewel," is more than a book — it’s a preservation plea.
Set to release July 8, "The Model City" chronicles the evolution of the Cahaba Project, a New Deal-era housing development that became the blueprint for American suburbia. The book, nearly 500 pages, is the culmination of years of research, interviews and personal investment by Lloyd, a Trussville native and member of the Cahaba Homestead Heritage Foundation.
"This story had everything you need for a book. It has rich history. It has deep connections among many people throughout several decades. It also had, and still has, some conflict about protections for the historic homes. The area is not protected by the city, nor an HOA. It is Trussville's most historic resource — maybe one of the largest historic resources in Jefferson County — and it could all be demolished tomorrow," Lloyd said. "I have heard several folks over the years say that it's the land that is historic, not the homes. That's simply not true. The land wasn't built by WPA labor; the homes were. The work was what was important in the wake of the Great Depression, and these homes were built so well, the community designed so flawlessly, that it became one of the preeminent suburbs anywhere.
Photo courtesy of Gary Lloyd
"The Model City" will be available July 8 on Amazon.com in paperback ($15), hardcover ($20) and Kindle ($5.99).
"I sought to educate the community on what this place truly is and how it was born. I also do not believe this book is just for Trussville residents or those who have ties here. This is a national story told through the lens of this community. It's mostly still intact today, and people need to know its significance and its longevity. It has been a history largely untold on a large scale, and I wanted to document this history and this pivotal moment for its future. I believe our local history is important and should not be ignored or minimized."
Lloyd began working on the book in 2022 and said he encountered two main challenges.
"The challenges I faced the most were 1) time and 2) knowing when to stop. It was an exhaustive research process that began in 2022, so I've combed through thousands of news articles, archives, government invoices, and more. Having a full-time job and finding the time to carve out for research and writing proved difficult many times. The second issue of knowing when to stop was harder. This book, if I told as many stories as possible from folks, would never end. It would easily be more than 1,000 pages. So, at some point I had to say, 'This is enough.' And it's still close to 500 pages as is.
"I wrote feverishly over the last year to get it done because, bluntly, many folks who were born as the Cahaba Project opened in 1938 are getting old. They are the greatest holders of stories from bygone days, and truthfully I wanted this book in their hands while they're still alive. Sounds morbid, but it was important to me that the 'OGs' of the Cahaba Project got to hold and read this book."
This story had everything you need for a book. It has rich history. It has deep connections among many people throughout several decades.
Gary Lloyd
Lloyd also found moments of surprise during his research process. One that stood out made its way into a chapter of the book.
"Michael Jackson, in 1984, visited the Cahaba Project with Jehovah's witnesses. He wore maybe a fake mustache and other facial coverups to avoid detection, but folks here still thought it was him. It was only the next day when a reporter from The Birmingham News called people asking about it was it confirmed to them. A dog chased him on Magnolia Street, and there is a chapter about that in the book. That was the most surprising thing, that the King of Pop visited here when he was still involved with Jehovah's witnesses."
Lloyd will discuss “The Model City” and sign copies at several events in Trussville this month. He’s scheduled to speak at the Trussville Public Library on Sunday, July 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. Book signings will follow at Heritage Hall on Saturday, July 19 and during a community celebration on The Mall on Sunday, July 20, which will also feature bounce houses and free barbecue from Rodney Scott’s while supplies last.
The book is available starting July 8 in paperback ($15), hardcover ($20) and Kindle ($5.99) formats on Amazon. For more formation, visit garylloydbooks.com.
