Articles by Rufus Ward
Rufus Ward: Visions of Fort Apache and Tennessee Williams
I was recently asked if I had any information as to the name of the doctor who delivered Tennessee Williams when he was born in Columbus in 1911.
Rufus Ward: Tan Yard Park
A few days ago I was asked: “Why in the world would they want to name the new Columbus soccer complex Tan Yard Park?” Historically there is a very good reason for that name.
Rufus Ward: Lions and Tygers and Bears
First during deer season and now during turkey season radio talk shows and hunters are all discussing black panthers and if they are really found in Mississippi. Naturalists all agree that the black panther is not to be found in North America. However, Mississippi is within the traditional range of the Florida panther and within the last two years a deer feeder’s game camera recorded a night photo of a panther in central Louisiana.
Rufus Ward: A Titanic Columbus link
This week marks the 98th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and there is a little known Columbus link. Dr John D. Richards grew up in Columbus, went to medical school and then moved to New York City around the turn of the century. In New York he became prominent as a physician, a polo player and a trainer of polo ponies.
Rufus Ward: The old Plymouth settlement
A reader has asked about the old Plymouth settlement on the West Bank of the Columbus Lock and Dam.
Rufus Ward: Common flowers native to the Golden Triangle
Spring has arrived with its vivid display of color and that has brought a question. Which of our common flowers are native to this area? That is not a question I can address from the view of a botanist, but I can address it as a historian. There are a number of early accounts that describe the flora of the Golden Triangle.
Ask Rufus: Streetcars in Columbus
A reader asked about the streetcars or electric trolley line that once served Columbus. For an answer, I called on Columbus architect and historian Sam Kaye, who knows more about the old trolley lines than anyone else.
Rufus Ward: What is the oldest house in Columbus?
Last week Marion asked: “What is the oldest surviving house in Columbus?”
Ask Rufus: How did Military Road get its name?
Whenever something gets torn up, people tend to pay more attention. So it is with Military Road in Columbus.
Rufus Ward: Tombigbee River: What does it mean?
I recently spoke to the Rotary Club in Columbus about steamboats on the Tombigbee River. That presentation resulted in my being questioned about the origin of the name Tombigbee. “Where did that name come from and what does it mean?”
