Alabama History on the Air is a series of radio broadcasts of the 1930’s, entitled “Highlights in Alabama History”, presented on WODX, Mobile’s first radio station.  The commentator was John F. Glennon, a prominent businessman, lawyer, historian and avid advocate of Mobile!  Radio Station WODX began transmitting on February 7, 1930, just 15 weeks after the Stock Market Crash of ‘29.  Mobile was a progressive city, so unemployed folks from the heartland came to Mobile for work at the shipyard, state docks, or the new International Paper Mill north of Mobile.  As they came, the Mobile Real Estate Board seized the opportunity to sponsor programs to tell the newcomers about Mobile, it’s climate, activities and properties.  This began a decade long series of programs, which naturally evolved into highlights of Alabama’s past.  With little else to do for entertainment, hard working men and women found themselves in front of the radio.  In the process, they could relate to the hard times of pioneers in early Alabama and could see the potential for a better life in the future for themselves.  The series of broadcasts were carried up to three times a week through the early ’30’s.

  

The book takes 63 original radio scripts verbatim and tells of Alabama’s past.  The scripts were in the family archives of The Old Narrator as Glennon called himself, on WODX and later WALA radio.

 

 

It’s easy for me to find excitement in the Battle of Mobile Bay and the story of the CSS Hunley, the first submarine to sink a ship in combat. But the ladies will find pleasure in the stories of Octavia LeVert, who married Henry LeVert, the Mobile Doctor, whose office still stands on Government Street at the head of Bankhead Tunnel.  She was known as the “Belle of the South” and was renowned for her lavish parties hosting dignitaries to the city.  She fell into disfavor however, when she entertained Federal Officers during the occupation of the city in April 1865.

  

 

I write about little known stories in Alabama history.  My last history book was “Kudjo: The Last Slave Voyage to America”.  It follows the life of Cudjo Kazoola Lewis, the last survivor of the “Clotilde”, the schooner that brought slaves into Mobile 52 years after it was illegal to bring slaves from outside the United States.  Cudjo rose above his situation and lead his people to build what became known as Africatown, at Plateau in north Mobile.  He became quite influential in speaking out for his people in the early 1900’s.  He died in 1935 at the age of 135 years.

 

 

I have the good fortune of having over one hundred more original scripts from those first radio broadcasts.  I will very likely produce another book or two, telling more fascinating tales of our heritage.  As stated in the book review on October 18 in the Mobile Press Register, these scripts are (paraphrased) “the most delightful contribution to local history in many a year.”  I feel obliged to share more of these stories!

  

“Alabama History on the Air” is available at independent book stores in Mobile and on the Eastern Shore; Paperbacks: $23.95; Hardbacks: $34.95.