St. James Hotel - Selma, AL
Posted by: 
hoteltwo
N 32° 24.419 W 087° 01.079
16S E 498308 N 3585548
Describes the history of the St. James Hotel and the long history of its African-American manager Ben Turner. Marker located on Water Ave. at Washington St.
Waymark Code: WMNCZ4
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 02/16/2015
Views: 4
Marker Text:
Front
Headquarters of General James H. Wilson following the Battle of Selma, April 2, 1865. This occupation protected the hotel from the arson and looting in the first 24 hours that destroyed much of downtown. In the next week Wilson methodically burned the huge military/industrial complex that had sustained the Confederate War effort. By April 10th he had built his pontoon bridge and he was off to capture Montgomery.
The Gee House Hotel, as the St. James was then known, was owned by Major W. H. Gee. However, the hotel and adjoining livery stable were actually managed by his slave Ben. Born in Weldon, North Carolina in 1825, Ben was brought to Selma by his former Mistress Elizabeth Turner in 1830. Ben, an industrious businessman, by the time of the Civil War had saved money and bought property. He became more prosperous in Selma's booming war time economy. Ben even bought Confederate Bonds. While Ben was freed after the Battle of Selma, he along with his white neighbors suffered great financial loss. After the War he continued his successful business practices and became involved in the Republican Party. In 1867 he was appointed Tax Collector and in 1869 he was elected to the Selma City Council.
In 1872 Benjamin Sterling Turner former slave and self-made businessman was elected the first African-American U.S. Representative from Alabama. Benjamin S. Turner died in 1894 and is buried in Old Live Oak Cemetery.
Rear:
Contains a map of the Battle of Selma
Map of the City of Selma and its Defenses.
Captured by assault by the Cavalry Corps., M.D.M., April 2d, 1865. Bvt Maj. Gen. J.H. Wilson, Com'd'g.
Surveyed and drawn by Capt. H.E. Noyes, 2d U.S. Cavalry, A.D.C.
Marker Name: St. James Hotel - Headquarters of General James H. Wilson - Battle of Selma
Marker Type: Urban
Addtional Information::
Erected by the April 1865 Society.
History of the St. James Hotel: http://www.historic-hotels-lodges.com/saint-james-hotel.htm
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2014
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.