Ashville Museum and Archives

07/27/2026

Thought I would take a moment and share one of our latest acquisitions to the Ashville Museum and Archives. The descendants of Robert Fulton Massey generously donated his shared patent for an improved railroad braking system.
In the frame is the following items:

Patent Number: No. 1,040,368

Invention: Car-Brake (an improved braking mechanism for railcars)

Date Issued: October 8, 1912 (filed August 31, 1910)

On the top left is the Official Patent Certificate: The formal document bearing the United States Patent Office seal granting exclusive 17-year rights for the invention.

On the top right is a detailed description of how the brake system works, written by Massey and witnessed by local individuals (J. M. Acton, H. H. Cox, and Paul Martin).

At the bottom of the frame is the technical mechanical drawings showing plan, side, and transverse sectional views of the brake assembly attached to railroad car wheel trucks.

In the center of the mechanical drawings is a photograph of Mr. Robert Fulton Massey.

The patent details a design improvement for railway car brakes. Massey's goal was to simplify the mechanical linkages, reduce the overall number of parts, and make the braking force more direct.

By eliminating extra floating levers typically required in early 20th-century brake setups, the design allowed the brakes to be applied using less force while lowering manufacturing and installation costs. Additionally, the revised rod and lever arrangement was designed so it wouldn't interfere with the trapdoors on bottom-dumping freight cars.

The next set of images are of a scale model of Massey's improved railway car braking system. They are enclosed within a display case built from heart pine that Mr. Massey's grandson James Patrick Massey Sr., had milled from beams that were part of an old factory that was being torn down in the 1990's in Birmingham Alabama.

Robert Fulton Massey family lived in and around the Trussville and Argo area of St Clair County. We would like to thank the family for both sharing and entrusting the archives with their family's achievement.

07/23/2026

A piece of history was rediscovered on the courthouse square in Ashville about two weeks ago. As everyone knows the traffic has been redirected so that traffic patterns will work similarly to a roundabout.

Since they began working on this a 92-year-old marker was rediscovered under the concrete that was being removed as part of this new project. I thought I would take a moment and share with everyone that I have found out about this latest discovery.

The marker is a geodetic survey benchmark disk set into a concrete post. These bronze or brass markers were set by federal agencies across the country to establish precise reference points for mapping, land surveying, and infrastructure development.

This is what is on the Disk: U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (the predecessor to today's National Geodetic Survey / NOAA).
It is referred to as a benchmark, and it is used as a permanent reference point for measuring vertical elevation above the sea level.

It is stamped: Z 38 and it was set in 1934. There is a warning to not disturb, move or destroy this marker. The federal warning against disturbing or tampering with the marker ("$250 fine or imprisonment for disturbing this mark").

The purpose of the is marker is that in 1934, federal survey crews mapped precise elevation networks across the United States. Surveyors would place these concrete monuments along railway lines, roads, and key land boundaries. By measuring from benchmark to benchmark, they built the foundational mapping system still relied upon today for modern GPS calibration, civil engineering, and geographic records.

The organization that placed the marker was the Civil Works Administration (CWA)—a precursor to the WPA established by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration—partnered with the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (C&GS).

07/02/2026

07/02/2026

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

On Saturday July 4th, we celebrate a monumental milestone—the Semi-quincentennial of the United States of America. Two and a half centuries ago, a grand experiment in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness began as we began this grand experience of establishing and maintaining a constitutional Republic.

As we reflect on 250 years of history, growth, and shared heritage, we hope everyone will have a great Fourth of July weekend. America is a great nation, and you are all a vital part of our nation’s ongoing story. Here’s to honoring our past, celebrating our present, and building a bright, united future together.

The Ashville Museum and Archives will be closed on Friday July 3rd in observance of the celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America

06/18/2026

The Ashville Museum and Archives will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026 as we join our nation in observing Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom and resilience.
We encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this important day in American history.
Happy Juneteenth!

05/22/2026

"As summer arrives, let us reflect and remember the ones who fought and served this Great country we call home. Especially remember the brave men and woman those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. May your Memorial Day weekend be peaceful, filled with the warmth of family, the comfort of tradition, and lasting gratitude for those who have gone before us."

05/20/2026

The St Clair County Historical Society is selling raffle tickets to raise money to help restore the Looney House in Beaver Valley. The tickets are $5.00 for one ticket or $10.00 for three tickets.
The winners will be eligible for the following prizes:
$100 gift card to the Farmhouse Restaurant in Springville.
$50.00 gift card to the Ark Restaurant in Springville.
$25.00 gift card to Lala's in Ashville.
$25.00 gift card to Olive Garden in Pell City.

If you are interested, we have tickets for sale here at the Archives in Ashville. The hours are Mon, Tues and Thursday 8-12 & 1-5 and Wed and Fri 8-12

All proceeds raised will help reclaim a vital piece of our local history. Please support this worthy cause.

04/27/2026

The Ashville Museum and Archives will be closed tomorrow, Monday April 27, in observance of Confederate Memorial Day. This day is a time of reflection on the memories, places, and lessons we learned from this era. By remembering the past in its full complexity, we honor not just the veterans but all those who lived through this tumultuous period. May God continue to bless and guide this great country we call home.

04/14/2026

Well, a little over two weeks ago, some long forgotten history of Ashville, reappeared and created a lot of buzz. A long-forgotten bottle embossed with the words "Ashville Bottling Works" was rediscovered by a bottle collecting enthusiast and he shared this rare find on Facebook. First, I have never been aware that Ashville every had this type of industry. So here is what I have discovered so far:
T R Lonnergan started the Ashville Bottling Works sometime around 1908-1909. This company contracted with Coca to bottle and distribute the soft drinks to surrounding areas.
Mr. Lonnergan sold the Ashville Bottling Works to Marvin Sheffield in March of 1912. This is where things start getting really fuzzy. I cannot find a physical address for the company, but numerous people had said that the Bottling Works was located around the old Health Department building is now. Some have referred to the area as "Deans' Springs" because there is a spring and small lake/pond that is now used as part of the water supply for the City of Ashville.
Now, the oddest part of the this is that on December 7, 1932 Marvin Sheffield was shot six times in a Birmingham hotel lobby by a Mr. E B Donnelly. As far as a motive, Mr. Donnelly said that Mr. Sheffield, "wrecked his home". This becomes the closing chapter about the Ashville Bottling Works.
We do not have any pictures of the Ashville Bottle Works, yet. I hope in time we can discover some if they exist. We do have a bottle in the Museum and Archives. So, if or when you are in the Ashville area come by and look at a rare part of Ashville's past. The search continues for more information about the Ashville Bottling Works and I will share any new information or discoveries about the long-closed business.