George Singleton writes of 'splendid autumn colors from area hills'

Scenic view from a high hill in north Monroe County.

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “View splendid autumn colors from area hills” was originally published in the Nov. 3, 1977 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

If you have trouble finding somewhere to go these beautiful, lazy autumn afternoons, now is the time to load up and head through the hills in the north part of Monroe County.

During the next couple of weeks, you will witness the full colors at their bests. The high hills and deep valleys will unveil a splendid array of colors that will dazzle your sense of sight, and you will remember that afternoon for a long time.

Begin your journey by leaving the paved road and heading north to Old Scotland Church; pause there awhile, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the historic old building and cemetery. Listen to the falling leaves as they float down from the branches to settle lightly on the earth.

Wild beauty

Turn right beyond the church, about two miles, and slowly wind your way down across Flat Creek and the flat bottoms that lie near it. Every now and then, stop and inhale the fresh, pure air and absorb the wild beauty around you.

As you begin to ascend again into the hills, take a backward look at the beautiful valley that you just passed through.

Pause and rest at the Red Hills Cemetery; walk through the markers and read the names of the ones buried there.

As you do this, you will form in your mind the community that once was there. You will know the names of the people born there. And you will know the one who tilled the soil and worked the land, and were laid to rest beneath the whispering pines. And you will hear again the falling leaves as they flutter gently to the ground to form a soft blanket across row upon row of headstones.

Most colorful

Beyond the cemetery, turn sharply to the right and begin the most colorful part of the journey.

As you follow the high ridge, look down across the valleys and behold the beauty of one of God’s creations. And as you follow the winding road, stop along the high points for a view usually seen only through the eyes of the winged creatures.

Climb the steep hill where the fire tower stands, and pause for a minute and listen to the winds sighing through the pines. Feel the cool autumn air against your face as it rises and climbs from the valleys below.

Look to the east and see the sleepy community of Vredenburgh in the distance. Then slowly make your way back down the hill, turning right to the paved highway farther on.

In His hands

As you reach the highway, you have the choice of returning by way of Beatrice or following Highway 41 through Franklin.

Whichever the way you choose, you will know that this day will be long in your memory, and you will know that the God who holds all things in the palms of His hands, holds them still.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)