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It Came From the Archives: Tragic train wreck led to a shift in safety procedures on the Atlantic Coast Line tracks

The wreck of the

The wreck of the "Second 180" and "Extra 452" in the Wiregrass led to changes in train management.

On Sept. 24, 1945, at 2:05 p.m., Atlantic Coast Line train “Extra 452 West” from Dothan collided headlong into ACL “Second 180 East,” killing the 452’s engineer, James A. Mangum of Montgomery, and injuring 16 others.

Tom Solomon, a resident of Headland, employee of the ACL, and “well known railroad artist and train enthusiast” owned…

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It Came from the Archives: A Girl the Wildcats left behind

Two of the Tallassee boys who answered the call in World War I, Willie Pierce, left, and Loman Ballard.

Two of the Tallassee boys who answered the call in World War I, Willie Pierce, left, and Loman Ballard.

When soldiers fight away from home, they leave behind non-combatants – mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends.  Some friends were young women with whom the soldier-boys (and don’t forget that most of them were exactly that) had grown up.  Today’s post concerns one young woman soldiers corresponded with, and what those letters tell us not only about them…

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Olliff receives Troy University’s Wallace D. Malone Distinguished Faculty Award

Dr. Marty Olliff, recipient of the 2022 Wallace D. Malone Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award, receives the University's Mace from Dr. Lance Tatum.

Dr. Marty Olliff, recipient of the 2022 Wallace D. Malone Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award, receives the University's Mace from Dr. Lance Tatum.

Dr. Martin T. “Marty” Olliff, Professor of History and Director of the Wiregrass Archives at the Dothan Campus, has been awarded Troy University’s Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award.

Dr. Olliff was presented the award during the University’s annual Faculty/Staff Convocation on Friday at the Troy Campus.

The award consists of a $1,500 cash…

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Popular ‘It Came from the Archives’ post becomes TROY’s newest podcast

Wiregrass Archives Director Dr. Marty Olliff is featured on TROY's newest podcast.

Wiregrass Archives Director Dr. Marty Olliff is featured on TROY's newest podcast.

TROY Public Radio’s latest podcast features the history, culture and people of Alabama’s Wiregrass Region.

“It Came from the Archives,” a popular feature on the Troy.Today blog made its podcast debut in June with its first episode, “Troy University’s Origin Story” featuring Wiregrass Archives Director Dr. Marty Olliff and hosted by Greg Phillips and centering on A.A….

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It Came From the Archives: Alabama Midland Railroad created ‘The Iron Link’ for Alabama’s Wiregrass region

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It Came from the Archives: Bookmobiles provide books to rural folks

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It Came from the Archives: Wiregrass Archives salutes the life of Larry Register, one of its first donors and friends

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It Came from the Archives: Armistice Day, Veterans Day and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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