Skip to main content

Day Trips: Wheeler Plantation


The Joseph Wheeler home, named Pond Spring, is a historic site in Lawrence County owned by the Alabama Historical Commission.  At one time, the town nearby was called Wheeler and had a post office, but it no longer exists.


Joseph Wheeler was born in Georgia, graduated from West Point, and was serving with the United States Dragoons in the New Mexico territory (this is where he got the nickname "Fighting Joe") when the Civil War started.  He resigned from the US army, and joined the Confederacy.  While leading his troops across North Alabama, he met his future wife, Daniella.  



After the war, he returned to North Alabama and married Daniella, who happened to own the plantation where they lived and raised their family.  At one time, the plantation included 17,000 acres.


He became a planter and lawyer, and served in the US House of Representatives for twenty years.  He later served in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American war.



The house contains many, many historic items that I've never seen elsewhere.  Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the house.







There are several old buildings to see on the property.





There are nice, modern restrooms.  The guide told us about serving iced tea to a high-ranking government official who came to visit.  After his trip to their Porta-potties, they received funds to build new facilities.


You can find information about tours and special events here.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee.  It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures.  We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything.  Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie.  It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house.  After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there.  I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then.  I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important.  It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things.  We call it Holy Smoke.  Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan.  It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier  in Europe.  Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life.  Some  Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars.  My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com