Exploring Alabama’s Stagecoach Stop at Blount Springs - Page 4

jonnyw · 12-17-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaxObsessed

This is one of the coolest things I have seen on ADV... And that is saying ALOT!!
Such a great job presenting this.... makes my head hurt!

Aparrently you haven't seen his other work. The guy is amazing. He combines 2 of my favorite things dirt bikes and history. The photos are always amazing. If this is the first you have seen you are in for a treat when you do a seach for his others. I never pass on one of his threads.

DeBandi how exactly do you do the research for these? Are you useing GPS to pinpoint some the locals? Or just going by sight? Some have obvious features but some dont give much clues. Also what resources are using? Thanks man and great job again.

DeBandi · 12-17-2011, 04:24 PM

Not far from the stagecoach route and just beyond the old railroad bed, I stumble across this fantastic railroad cabin.

This is an original structure that dates back to the 1880s.

Workers on the railroad used this cabin. It's nestled on a hill less than 100 yards from the old rail bed. It has been empty since the 1920s.

I wonder what else I can find in these old hills?

DELTATANGO · 12-17-2011, 04:52 PM

Neat.

Reverend12 · 12-17-2011, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyw

Aparrently you haven't seen his other work. The guy is amazing. He combines 2 of my favorite things dirt bikes and history. The photos are always amazing. If this is the first you have seen you are in for a treat when you do a seach for his others. I never pass on one of his threads.

DeBandi how exactly do you do the research for these? Are you useing GPS to pinpoint some the locals? Or just going by sight? Some have obvious features but some dont give much clues. Also what resources are using? Thanks man and great job again.

Check out Debandies site, fantastic! http://web.me.com/debandi1/Site_2/Ex...g_Alabama.html

Goride · 12-18-2011, 01:30 AM

I just love this "past-to-present" effect!

jonnyw · 12-18-2011, 03:48 AM

Thanks Reverend. There is alot on there that I missed. Everyone needs to check that link.

DeBandi · 12-18-2011, 05:12 AM

Next to the original rail bed and across a large creek, I found these stone ruins.

These structures are part of the old Sloss–Sheffield Steel Company’s limestone quarry. Metallurgical limestone was used in the iron making process. It was used as a flux. Flux helped facilitate the separation of slag from the iron.

On further investigation, I found that these old kilns were used to test the impurities in the limestone.

This was a very busy place back in 1906.

Metallurgical limestone was favored due to its lack of impurities. Silica and alumina are not desirable when it comes to flux. The limestone here at Blount Springs contains only 1.05 % silica and only .82 parts alumina. This was some of the most favorable material in the country. It is rare to see any remains of these old kilns.

Both ruins are barely noticeable today.

However,

this kiln is one of the finest remaining examples still standing in the country. It is only a few hundred yards away and is located just off the original rail bed.

Old loading facilities:

The old quarry where the material was removed.

Metallurgical limestone was so abundant in Blount Springs and such a huge resource for the iron industry. The industry that helped to build this country.

I’m going to keep looking around……

Brown Dog · 12-18-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaM

Good stuff Debandi.

Nice work as always DD

Dirt Bikes & History as mentioned

HappyCRNA · 12-18-2011, 06:30 AM

Wow... I remember learning about Blount Springs back in elementary school in Alabama, but it was only a lesson from a book and chalkboard. Thanks for bringing it to life! Have you thought about sharing (commercially) your historical RRs with our school system? The smart ones would jump right on this!!

Thanks for bringing me back home!

ETA: subscribed

eakins · 12-18-2011, 08:55 AM

amazing how the area has returned to it's natural setting in only 130 or so years. were the buildings torn or burned down as very little is left compared to that 1 RR cabin.

C-Stain · 12-19-2011, 06:04 AM

I love your reports! Keep it coming...

mashrider · 12-19-2011, 07:05 PM

your amazing! thanks, right in my backyard!!!

DeBandi · 12-20-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnyw

Aparrently you haven't seen his other work. The guy is amazing. He combines 2 of my favorite things dirt bikes and history. The photos are always amazing. If this is the first you have seen you are in for a treat when you do a seach for his others. I never pass on one of his threads.

DeBandi how exactly do you do the research for these? Are you useing GPS to pinpoint some the locals? Or just going by sight? Some have obvious features but some dont give much clues. Also what resources are using? Thanks man and great job again.

Thank you jonnyw. I know this place like the back of my hand bro. Remember, this is my home.

Mercenary · 12-20-2011, 04:18 PM

Man...gotta keep up with this one...

mts49 · 12-21-2011, 09:39 AM

Nice work! Always love your reports!

12-17-2011, 04:24 PM	#47
DeBandi ^OP Exploring Alabama Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Blount Springs, AL Oddometer: 3,091	Not far from the stagecoach route and just beyond the old railroad bed, I stumble across this fantastic railroad cabin. This is an original structure that dates back to the 1880s. Workers on the railroad used this cabin. It's nestled on a hill less than 100 yards from the old rail bed. It has been empty since the 1920s. I wonder what else I can find in these old hills? __________________ Explore / Dream / Discover DeBandi Visit ExploringAlabama.net State Oval Decals Available

12-18-2011, 01:30 AM	#50
Goride ISR adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Oddometer: 268	I just love this "past-to-present" effect! __________________ The Shishvil Team (AKA The Israeli Explorers) main site! The original ADV thread of the Israeli Explorers! The full photos gallery!

12-18-2011, 03:48 AM	#51
jonnyw Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Oddometer: 567	Had nevr seen it Thanks Reverend. There is alot on there that I missed. Everyone needs to check that link.

12-18-2011, 05:12 AM	#52
DeBandi ^OP Exploring Alabama Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Blount Springs, AL Oddometer: 3,091	Next to the original rail bed and across a large creek, I found these stone ruins. These structures are part of the old Sloss–Sheffield Steel Company’s limestone quarry. Metallurgical limestone was used in the iron making process. It was used as a flux. Flux helped facilitate the separation of slag from the iron. On further investigation, I found that these old kilns were used to test the impurities in the limestone. This was a very busy place back in 1906. Metallurgical limestone was favored due to its lack of impurities. Silica and alumina are not desirable when it comes to flux. The limestone here at Blount Springs contains only 1.05 % silica and only .82 parts alumina. This was some of the most favorable material in the country. It is rare to see any remains of these old kilns. Both ruins are barely noticeable today. However, this kiln is one of the finest remaining examples still standing in the country. It is only a few hundred yards away and is located just off the original rail bed. Old loading facilities: The old quarry where the material was removed. Metallurgical limestone was so abundant in Blount Springs and such a huge resource for the iron industry. The industry that helped to build this country. I’m going to keep looking around…… __________________ Explore / Dream / Discover DeBandi Visit ExploringAlabama.net State Oval Decals Available

12-18-2011, 06:30 AM	#54
HappyCRNA AllTalkNoAction Joined: Oct 2011 Location: Moran Nation Oddometer: 662	Wow... click on NEW POSTS above and see where it takes you... Wow... I remember learning about Blount Springs back in elementary school in Alabama, but it was only a lesson from a book and chalkboard. Thanks for bringing it to life! Have you thought about sharing (commercially) your historical RRs with our school system? The smart ones would jump right on this!! Thanks for bringing me back home! ETA: subscribed

12-17-2011, 04:52 PM	#48
DELTATANGO Motorcyclist and Dog Walk Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Alabama Oddometer: 12,665	Neat.

12-18-2011, 08:55 AM	#55
eakins Butler Maps Joined: May 2002 Location: Colorado - Fort Collins Oddometer: 14,458	amazing how the area has returned to it's natural setting in only 130 or so years. were the buildings torn or burned down as very little is left compared to that 1 RR cabin. __________________ Butler Maps - motorcycle maps for riders by riders - Ozarks , Nor Cal , COBDR shipping, AZBDR scouting http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598717 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/butlermaps

12-19-2011, 06:04 AM	#56
C-Stain Unreasonable Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Middleton, NS CANADA Oddometer: 2,262	I love your reports! Keep it coming... __________________ TransLab a Go Go 2011 Nova Scotia Fresh Air Inspectors Investigate the Cabot Trail "Second star to the left and straight on till morning” ― James T. Kirk

12-19-2011, 07:05 PM	#57
mashrider Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Cullman AL Oddometer: 49	your amazing! thanks, right in my backyard!!! __________________ 2012 Road King Classic (my touring Bike) XR1200, (yup a Harley) KLX 250 SF

12-20-2011, 04:18 PM	#59
Mercenary Mindless Savage Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Ft St John, BC Canada Oddometer: 869	Man...gotta keep up with this one... __________________ 2008 DR 650 We can handle it....We're Canadian

12-21-2011, 09:39 AM	#60
mts49 Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Alabama Oddometer: 84	Nice work! Always love your reports!

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