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We are here today to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Shelby County Courthouse. One hundred years ago, on a day not unlike this one, a procession took place.
The Probate Judge of Shelby County, Honorable A. P. Longshore, accompanied by other county officials and members of the Alabama Masonic Grand Lodge and Shelby Lodge Number 140, marched from
what we now refer to as "The Old Courthouse" to this site. On that day, between 1,500 and 2,000 people, citizens of Shelby County and out of town guests, gathered to watch the installation
of the cornerstone you see behind me. The atmosphere was festive. A table 180 feet long was set up across the street to hold the food that was brought by the people that day.
(I can only imagine the number of chickens killed that morning to produce all of the fried chicken needed to feed a crowd of that size). According to news reports of the day, the crowd was very
well behaved. I hope that one hundred years from now, our history will read as well!
One hundred years ago, Shelby County was a much different place. We have come today to honor Shelby County's past, to recognize its present accomplishments, and to lay
the groundwork for its future.
One hundred years ago, it would have been hard for the 23,000 people of Shelby County to imagine that their ranks would swell to almost 175,000 today. It is equally hard
for us to imagine that, in the year 2106, population estimates predict that Shelby County will be home to almost 1,000,000 people! It would have been hard to imagine that a paved road would one
day replace the dirt road that ran in front of the Courthouse (Pumpkin Swamp Road), and that a highway system would one day allow swiftly moving vehicles to transport Shelby County's people to
faraway places, like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, on a daily basis. We can only imagine the kind of transportation Shelby County will utilize in 2106. Will it be high speed, elevated
roadways? Will we utilize high speed underground trains? Or will we fly through the air in personal transport devices? We can only imagine. Whatever we use, however, I predict that there will be
gridlock on Highway 280!
One hundred years ago, wealthy citizens from Birmingham maintained summer homes in Shelby County; they came here to escape the city heat, to breathe the fresh summer air
and to enjoy a more relaxed and carefree lifestyle. Today, we flee to the lake, and to the Gulf beaches and to the mountains for recreation. In 2106, where will our descendants spend their
leisure time? Perhaps they will even go to distant planets or sophisticated space stations. Who among us knows?
One hundred years ago, Columbiana was a bustling center of commerce, and, as it is today, the seat of county government. One hundred years ago, no one would have predicted
that, today, the Chair of the County Commission would be a woman, and so would the Probate Judge! It would have been hard to imagine, one hundred years ago, that today, citizens of African
American descent would take their place as mayors, and councilmen and county commissioners in Shelby County. And, yet, we have seen all those things happen in our lifetime. What changes must
the future hold?
Indeed, life has changed much in Shelby County during the past one hundred years. I am one of a dwindling number who can say that my ancestors have made their home in
Shelby County for far more than one hundred years. But the vast majority of Shelby County citizens today hail from other places and regions. They chose to come to Shelby County to make lives
for themselves, and Shelby County is better for it. They have all, the original settlers and the newcomers, played a part in making Shelby County what it is today.
Life has changed both inside and outside the walls of this Courthouse. Inside, we now have many courtrooms, where we once had only one; and, yet, the original courtroom
with its original bench is still in use every day. In fact, it is where we all gravitate for important and significant ceremonies. Where we once recorded deeds by handwriting them into large
volumes, we now scan them onto optical images that are accessible at the touch of a button from any personal computer. And, yet, those dusty, old books are still used every day. Some read their
pages to discover clues about their own family histories, and others use them for very practical purposes, they contain the chain of title to all real estate in Shelby County, all the way back
to its original source.
The court system was once the exclusive territory of the wealthy and well educated. Today, justice is available to all persons who avail themselves of its benefits. We
have laws and causes of action that were unimaginable one hundred years ago; and yet, our law is still based on the common law that the early settlers brought here from England.
As much as our county has changed in one hundred years, a common thread binds us to our past. Some say that, in this part of the country, we are more connected to our
roots than those in other regions. We are more attached to the land on which we live. We have a respect for family, and tradition, and God, and Country that are perhaps unique to our region.
We are fascinated with our bloodlines, we revere our ancestors. Any Shelby Countian of a certain age can tell you exactly how he is related to every other Shelby Countian of that age.
We still decorate our cemeteries on Decoration Day, and spread our dinner on the grounds. We fly our Nation's flag proudly, not just on special occasions, but every day. We are not afraid to
worship our Creator. We are fascinated by our history, and that is partly why we are here today.
One hundred years ago, our predecessors laid the cornerstone in this magnificent structure. Think how grand it must have seemed for its day, with its marble facade, its
stately columns and its domed roof. It was a large, imposing structure that lent importance to any event that took place within its walls. It is still quite a beautiful sight as you enter the
City.
As I look back on the people who have served Shelby County during the past one hundred years, I am honored to share a place with them. I am only the seventh Probate Judge
to serve Shelby County since A.P. Longshore laid the original cornerstone. Judges George W. Weaver, L.B.Riddle, Cage Head, and L.C. Walker have all passed on. Two of my predecessors are alive,
today. Honorable Conrad M. Fowler, better known as "Bully" is retired, and lives near family in Tuscaloosa. His health prevented him from attending today's ceremony, but Shelby County is never
far from his thoughts, and he holds an important place in its history. His son, Conrad Fowler, Jr., still practices law across the street from the Courthouse. Judge Fowler was a strong leader,
and a visionary thinker. He once wrote a draft of a proposed new Constitution for the State of Alabama, long before the idea was a popular subject for discussion. We thank him for his service
to Shelby County. My immediate predecessor is the Honorable Thomas A. Snowden, Jr. Judge Snowden is with us, today, along with his wife, Dixie, and I would like to ask that he stand and be
recognized. Judge Snowden is responsible for many of the modern improvements in the courthouse today, including the beginnings of the optical imaging system I mentioned earlier, and, he was
the last Probate Judge to serve as Chairman of the Shelby County Commission. Judge Snowden is known for his love and commitment to the people he served. Thank you, Judge Snowden, for your
service to Shelby County.
A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone one hundred years ago, and, as its contents reveal, the people of Shelby County had similar interests and concerns as its
people today. The news of the day, as reported in The Birmingham News and the Columbiana Sentinel, included references to businesses of the day, elections, tax votes, baseball,
the control of liquor interests, trials, and military defense concerns. In 1906, the San Francisco earthquake, a disaster similar in scope to Hurricane Katrina, occurred. Dow Jones closed
above 100 for the very first time. The first radio set was advertised, Corn Flakes were invented by accident, and the cost of a first-class stamp was two cents. The Ford Model N, America's
most popular automobile, sold for $500.00. Perhaps strangest of all, Princeton was the NCAA Football National Champion!
Locally, there was controversy over the decision to keep the county seat in Columbiana, the cost of the new Courthouse and the passage of a special property tax to pay
the debt on the building. Today, the county seat is firmly established here in Columbiana, and a proposed property tax can still be counted on to generate quite a stir; however, Shelby County
is fortunate to enjoy record growth, and a low unemployment rate. We possess a standard of living in Shelby County not found in most parts of Alabama. Those who have been stewards of the
citizens, resources have managed them well. The new jail which was recently built, at a cost many times higher than that of the Courthouse, was built without incurring any additional debt.
We have come a long way.
As I reviewed some of the documents relating to controversies surrounding the construction of the Courthouse, I was reminded of more recent controversies, as well.
For instance, almost thirty years ago, Judge Snowden decided to paint the silver dome of the Courthouse what appeared to be a drab brown. Judge Snowden probably received more phone calls about
that issue than any other during his tenure. As it turns out, the drab brown aged to a beautiful patina, and it was the right choice! In the early 1980's, the State Fire Marshall condemned
our Courthouse and threatened to padlock its doors. Today, of course, the Courthouse has many safety features and is fully accessible. We no longer have Judges in the attic or bats in our
belfry. They've been replaced by plastic owls, our attempts to fool the snakes into thinking the Courthouse is not a good place to nest. (I'm sure there is a joke there, but, since this is a
serious occasion, I won't indulge).
In addition to the newspapers, the time capsule contained a Resolution by the Commissioners' Court, a copy of the
"Stone Cutter's Journal," the Masonic Manual of the Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama, and a copy of the by-laws, officers and members of Shelby Lodge Number 140. These were to commemorate
the Masons' part in the laying of the cornerstone.
Finally, the time capsule placed one hundred years ago contained a Bible. It is a reminder that, as Thomas Jefferson said, "The God who gave us life gave us liberty
at the same time." It is entirely fitting that we choose Liberty Day to reenact the laying of the cornerstone and to seal a new time capsule to be opened in the year 2106. For, if anything,
our Courthouse symbolizes liberty, the struggle of people everywhere to live their lives freely, according to their conscience, but in recognition of the law that provides structure to our
society.
I have chosen to place in the new time capsule another Bible. Its message is as enduring today as it was one hundred years ago, and, I am confident that,
even one hundred years from now, its message will continue to guide the people of this great county and provide its most basic foundation. I have inscribed on
the cover page that the Bible is a gift to the citizens of Shelby County in 2106, and I have included one of my favorite scriptures, Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me."
The liberty we enjoy today was not free. It was bought with the blood of the patriots, and our brave military men and women continue to make the sacrifices that
allow us to keep it. We must treasure liberty, and commit that future generations will enjoy it, as well.
Our predecessors did more than lay a physical cornerstone one hundred years ago. In a more profound sense, they laid the symbolic cornerstone for Shelby County's future.
It falls to us, now, to protect and preserve that cornerstone for generations to come. May we be worthy of the task, and may God continue to bless Shelby County and its people.
Thank you.
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