Waterfalls of Alabama

The winter months are actually one of the best times for exploring waterfalls in the South.

The reduction in leaf cover coupled with winter rains means that streams and rivers are flowing very well and that, in turn, provides plenty of water for waterfalls. Many Southern waterfalls dry to little more than trickles or even dry up completely during the summer months, but in the winter they are often flowing to capacity.

Alabama boasts a surprising number of very impressive falls. From DeSoto Falls near Fort Payne to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, the state boasts a series of large waterfalls and an untold number of small ones.

Waterfalls often figure prominently in the history of their locations. They were noticed by early settlers and Native Americans and the fast-flowing streams feeding them were often used to power watermills, etc. Little River Falls near Fort Payne and Mentone, for example, was once the location of a little community that thrived because the flowing water powered a grist mill.

If you would like to see photographs and learn more about some of the more fascinating waterfalls in Alabama, please visit our new "Waterfalls of Alabama" pages at: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/alabamawaterfalls.

The Legend of Prince Madoc of Wales

One of the more unique legends to be found in the South is the tale of Prince Madoc of Wales.

The story has been around for hundreds of years and a British writer, John Williams, published "An Enquiry" into the legend as early as 1791. In his research he uncovered previous histories of Madoc's alleged journeys dating back to the year 1584.

As the story goes, Madoc was the son of a noted leader of Wales. When his father was killed in 1170, Madoc allegedly set sail with a group of followers in a small flotilla of ships to explore the "western sea." After many days of sailing he discovered a "land unknown, where he saw many strange things."

Leaving many of his men in this new unknown land, Madoc returned to Wales for additional men and supplies. He then returned to the new country in a fleet of ten ships.

The truth of the legends is simply not known. No original documents from Madoc's time are known to exist, but it is certainly possible that such a journey took place as early Viking explorers found their way as far west as Newfoundland in Canada. It is also possible, as some historians suggest, that Madoc was invented by English speculators during the 1500s to establish a prior claim to North America at the time the country was in a fierce rivalry with Spain for possession of the new lands across the Atlantic.

Either way, the story of Madoc has become a popular part of Southern folklore. One school of thought holds that the Welsh explorer landed on Mobile Bay and made his way north into the mountains of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

At DeSoto Falls in Alabama, for example, several small rooms can be found carved into the side of a steep cliff (photo above). Local tradition claims that they were part of a fort built by Madoc and his fellow explorers. Similar stories are told about locations in Georgia and Tennessee.

To read more about the site of the alleged Welsh fort in Alabama, please visit our new DeSoto Falls page at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/desotofalls1.

DeSoto State Park in Alabama

We are kicking off the New Year with the addition of a number of new pages to www.exploresouthernhistory.com.

The first new pages to come online can be seen in our revamped section on DeSoto State Park near Fort Payne, Alabama. This beautiful and historic park is located atop Lookout Mountain. Noted for its magnificent views of the west fork of Little River and its numerous waterfalls - including the 100-foot tall DeSoto Falls (seen here) - DeSoto State Park is one of the finest state park facilities in the state.

In addition to its natural attractions, cabins, motel, restaurant and more, the park is rich in history. Legend holds that the Welsh explorer Prince Madoc and his men built a fort at DeSoto Falls as early as 1170 A.D. and the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed nearby in 1541.

To learn more, please visit our new DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/desotopark1.