Huntsville - Madison County Public Library

915 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL 35801
256-532-5969, HMCPL.org

The Heritage Room has a wealth of Huntsville history photographs and documents.

Huntsville - Madison County Public Library

Item 169 of 177 (4487)

"The Big Spring. An early view of Huntsville is seen in this painting by William Frye in the 1850's titled 'The Big Spring.' The painting features the Fearn Canal built in 1825 to carry cotton from the Big Spring to the Tennessee River. The view facing west includes a portion of the First National Bank visible on the bluff at left, and the carriage rider would be traveling north on what is now Church Street. William Frye, a German immigrant from Bavaria, was a popular traveling portrait painter throughout the south who once gave instruction to Huntsville's artist and poet, Howard Weeden."
Source: William Frye
Date: unknown
Rights: Alabama Mosaic; Huntsville Madison County Public Library