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The new municipal government established a public school for whites in and one for African Americans in During the Great Depression, the presence of the college brought a measure of economic stability to Montevallo. The town also benefited from several projects funded by New Deal programs, including school construction, a railroad overpass, and a post office. According to the Census, Montevallo had a population of 6, Of that number, According to Census estimates, the work force in Montevallo was divided among the following industrial categories:.
Montevallo city schools enroll some 1, students in one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school and employ approximately teachers.
The University of Montevallo is a four-year public university located in the town. The city of Montevallo is served by State Highway 25, which runs east-southwest through the town, State Highway , which runs southeast, and State Highway , which runs northeast. Shelby County Airport , which serves general aviation, is located approximately 10 miles to the northeast. Montevallo's Orr Park is popular for its recreational offerings, including a walking trail, six baseball fields, and a football field.
Its most fascinating feature, however, is the collection of carvings made by local artist Tim Tingle in dead cedar trees along the walking trail.
They represent what Jefferson called "the creed of our political faith; the text of civic instruction. TripAdvisor uses cookies to improve your site experience. Learn more or change your settings. By continuing, you consent to our cookies. All of your saved places can be found here in My Trips.
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Editorial Reviews. About the Author. Clark Hultquist, Ph.D., is professor of history and chair of Montevallo (Images of America) Kindle Edition. by. Arcadia Publishing ISBN: Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Date: 05/23/ State: Alabama Series: Images of America Images: Black.
See all 35 reviews. Read all 35 reviews. The homecoming competition consists of sports events, management of the side finances, and spirit. While these are key to the game of College Night, the primary focus is two student written, produced and performed musicals—one for each competing side.
For a small university in which the student-to-faculty ratio is only about to-1, participation is key. A noticeable number of people participate in bringing the tradition together; at least actually participate in the activities, but it is a tremendous success that draws those who do participate back after many years of being out of college.
Each year, the school's Palmer Auditorium, which boasts a large stage, orchestra pit and seating for , is standing room only as alumni and spectators gather to witness the unique tradition that is College Night.
The student involvement is all-inclusive: College Night is known as the oldest homecoming tradition of its kind in America. Traditionally, Crook Week was a week in late October when the senior class women would hide the "crook"—a staff shaped roughly like a shepherd 's crook —and give obscure clues for the underclass women who were to find it. At the end of Crook Week was Senior March. When the chimes struck thirteen, if the underclass women did not find the crook, the seniors march on them, getting them out of their rooms and onto Main Quad where they would have a shaving cream and water balloon battle.
If the underclass women found the crook, they were safe that year.
This tradition ended in the s because the administration considered it hazing. Today, the Hiding of the Crook occurs the week of Founders' Day. The administration hides the crook and leaves clues as to where it can be found.
The finder of the crook gets recognized at Founders' Day with a small prize. The debate has occurred each fall semester since , making it the longest continually-held debate of its type. In the Life Raft Debate, the audience is asked to imagine that there has been a nuclear war and that they, as the survivors, are setting sail to rebuild society from the ground up.
There is a group of professors vying to win the coveted Oar and get on the raft, and only one seat is left. Each professor has to argue that his or her discipline is the one indispensable area of study that the new civilization will need to flourish. Each professor gets to give an introductory account of his or her discipline then a brief rebuttal to the others.
At the end of the debating, the audience votes and the lucky winner claims the Oar and climbs aboard, waving goodbye to the others. Often, a seventh participant, the Devil's Advocate, appears and tries to convince the audience that the entire panel is unworthy and that all should be left behind to drown. In the following year, the defending champion faces five new challengers in a new debate.
To date, no one has successfully defended the Oar. The first event was held in before an audience of roughly people. Michael Sterner of the Mathematics Department carried the day with an impassioned defense of his discipline, touting both its usefulness and beauty and promising that, if he were to be saved, there would be "no more word problems ever. Following years saw victories by professors from a variety of academic disciplines. Following the broadcast, several colleges and universities in the United States and abroad began hosting Life Raft Debates of their own, most after consulting the UM Philosophy Club for advice.
The current champion is Dr.