John Henry, Legendary 'Steel Drivin" Man" - Leeds, Alabama
N 33° 32.635 W 086° 32.346
16S E 542789 N 3711683
Located at the Leeds, Alabama's historic rail depot, this marker celebrates the epic man versus machine contest that occurred at a local train tunnel.
Waymark Code: WM60B3
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 03/10/2009
Views: 18
Inscription reads:
The story of "steel drivin' man" John Henry is one of America's most enduring legends. The strong ex-slave became a folk hero during construction of the Columbus & Western Railroad between Goodwater and Birmingham. He drilled holes for explosives used to blast tunnels. According to legend, he was involved in a race against a steam-powered drill that its manufacturer claimed could do the job faster than a man. Witnesses said after the all-day contest that he and his heavy hammer cleared substantially more feet than the steam drill. Versions of the blues song 'John Henry' relate how the powerful man won the contest but died from exhaustion, his "hammah" in his hand. He supposedly was buried nearby. Although other states claim John Henry, noted Georgia folklore researcher John Garst found evidence that the event occurred near Dunnavant on September 20, 1887, at either the Big Oak Tunnel or Coosa Tunnel, two miles apart.
Marker Name: John Henry, Legendary 'Steel Drivin' Man"
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Read more about John Henry research:
http://www.ibiblio.org/john_henry/alabama.html
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2009
Marker Number: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location. Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Alabama history please include that in your log.