1826-2026  The Bicentennial of Tuscaloosa becoming the capital of Alabama

THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

James Innes Thornton was involved with the University before anyone knew where it would be located. This advertisement was for a sale of University land was published on October 20, 1826. The legislature didn't select Tuscaloosa as the site of the University until December 29, 1827.

On March 22, 1828, the University Board of Trustees selected Marr's Spring as the place where the school would be built.