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Almost eight years ago, Project Say Something launched History Harvest, a project documenting the history of Black people from the Shoals area of Alabama. Enter Anita Smith Cobb.
Anita Cobb is an astute (now, 90-year-old), tiny woman packed with energy and is a walking anal of her local Black history. No wonder Algene Norwood, a guest contributor to GS, told me, "You have to meet Anita Cobb!" Indeed, we met, and over tea, we ventured into history and thoughts about our current state to learn from this iconic historian, Anita Cobb. Gate open! - Victorine
As a child, where did you live in Florence?
"I grew up in Florence, West Lauderdale County," Mrs. Cobb initiated. "My grandparents lived near Rhodesville, close to Oakland." There may have been two white families, but there were Black people from Rhodesville to Shiloh Church. Most were tenant farmers or sharecroppers.
Black Education during the Depression
My parents married in 1933, during the Depression. Starting at Mt. Zion Rosenwald School till sixth grade, my mother finished high school at Burrell Normal School. Because there was no high school in the county, they had to pay for rooms, board, and tuition in the city. There was no high school for Blacks until about 1957; all kids beyond the eighth grade moved to Burrell.
There were about four families whose daughters were able to live in Florence. "They went to the boarding house on Sunday afternoon or early Monday morning, as seventh graders (only 13, 14 years old at the most) as adults on their own, living with a family in town," recounts Mrs. Cobb. "They had to do their washing, cooking, and schoolwork, looking out for themselves until they traveled home…Parents picked them up by car or by truck." There were consequences for the girls being on their own. Tragically, at age 16, Mrs. Cobb's aunt contracted undetected tuberculosis and died. Higher education while Black could be perilous.
From Alabama to Michigan: Working and Meeting Her Husband, Carl
Mrs. Cobb received her bachelor's degree in history from Talladega College in Alabama and attended the University of Michigan for her graduate degrees. She lived and worked in Michigan from 1954 – 1992. She taught Social Studies and was an Administrator for Adult Education, which did not agree with her. "I loved interacting with people, so I pursued Counseling, which was "a wonderful experience." She was a counselor for the Hopkinsville Community College in Hopkinsville, Kentucky for four years.
Beyond her work environment, Mrs. Cobb enjoyed attending concerts, lectures, and cultural events in Michigan. She admits, "I love cold weather." In 1955, she met her husband, Carl.
Although Anita and Carl had southern roots in Leighton, AL, they met in Michigan through a friend. They married in 1957. Although she loved living in the city, Carl retired and wanted to return to the South. "He didn't like snow and ice very much, but I loved cold weather, my activities, and my job." Returning to the South, they lived on an eleven-acre farm in Adams, TN. They lived there for 20 years. Due to Carl's health, they moved back to the home house in Leighton, Alabama, to be close to family. They built a house next door and lived there from 2013 until Carl passed in 2014 ("a year and three days)." After that year, Mrs. Cobb was happy to move to her home, Florence. Mrs. Cobb could resume her evening activities without the drive time and pursue her passion for learning local history.
How did History become a passion for you?
As an academic, Mrs. Cobb studied history at Talladega College in the 1950s and loved it. She came from a family that "lived a long time." Mrs. Cobb grew up with her grandparents and knew a family that could trace its history to slavery. She heard stories about life during the late 1800s to early 1900s. "I was fascinated with their stories…Florence had so much history." Because she was in his presence during his visits home, Mrs. Cobb knew the Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy.
Mrs. Cobb is collaborating with Brian Murphy on a documentary highlighting the history of six (6) Black neighborhoods in Florence: East End, Dr. Hooks Blvd., Stewart Springs, Pine Ridge, Handy Hill, and East Florence. She recounts, "When I left Florence, there were many Black neighborhoods…So many Black families were displaced by the (university) and other developments," she notes. Three subject communities for the documentary are complete. (East End, Dr. Hooks Blvd., and Stewart Springs). Mrs. Cobb noted. "We must complete our interviews while people are still here and can remember the stories." She also recognizes that the city of Florence cannot grow unless it expands from the West Side, again, a Back community,
Who was the most influential historian in your life, and why is history important?
Alex Haley's Roots influenced Mrs. Cobb to search for family stories and to research all genealogical information of three (3) sides of her family. She thought, "If Haley had stories, my family has them too." Her brother and she compiled a book, Family United – Smith Family Reunion, which includes names and descendants of the family members dating back to slavery. "The Cobb family has a rich history, too," Mrs. Cobb notes, "Historical references are important; so much is deleted, and we must supplement that information." She warns, "If we don't tell the story, it won't be told correctly."
Mrs. Cobb observes that "today, Black families have deteriorated." She indicates, "A family's past is so important." She understands that migration caused the separation. Moving from roots, "the disconnected migrant (lost touch), and the kids don't know each other." She indicates the kids need to regroup and learn the value of "old ways." Mrs. Cobb regrets that "(the kids) don't know" and that "We need to teach them about the shoulders they stand upon." However, she notices that families are now coming together. "In October, my grandchildren and their cousins are getting together in an Airbnb to fellowship and get to know each other." Mrs.Cobb has three children - 2 sons in Houston, TX, and a daughter in Leighton, AL. She also has six grandchildren.
How do you feel about the teaching of true history?
Mrs. Cobb regrets the erasing of actual history. "It's a tragedy... What about our kids?" she questions. "How do they feel about untruths told…Black people built Southern riches with a cotton-producing economy." She assesses there is so much history in the South alone. She indicates that the work of Black people is responsible for the economy all over the country. "The wealth in the South is the basis for the wealth of the North," Mrs. Cobb notes. "The North was manufacturing fabric, shoes, and clothing... Much of the slave trade impacted New England," which is partly why the Ivy League schools thrive. Black history is American history.
What does the future hold for the social/political outcome of Alabama?
"Alabama and the rest of the country is headed towards totalitarianism." Mrs. Cobb warns, "There are evil elements in leadership positions taking us down the wrong path." She notes, "Unless something happens, we're in trouble; I can see a continuation of the past. We cannot go back; we can't relive those years." Mrs. Cobb wonders what happens when the true philosophy is revealed; will "so-called friends" take a stand?
She recognizes the mindset of the "me" Millennials: "If it's good for me, it's good." She notes that we must understand that communication is essential for forward movement.
With looming bills reflecting Project 2025, how can we remedy the future of Alabama?
"You have to pray," says Mrs. Cobb. "Intervention with the Almighty changes things." She notes we must stay united. "At one time, the West Side was a voting bloc which wielded much more power. Progressives have moved out and left the marginalized folks to fend for themselves. We must reach back to help each other." She says pastors must enlist churches. She remembers pastors living in the community. "Now, they live in Huntsville or Athens – itinerant ministers." She acknowledges that we now have younger ministers like Reverend Trevor Crenshaw and Reverend Wesley Thompson enlisting their traditional churches in justice work.
Mrs. Cobb acknowledges we all have a stake in changing Alabama. Mrs. Cobb advises us to reach back to remember our history and unite to move forward.
We included two valuable resources on Anita Smith Cobb on the Black history of Florence, AL:
Mrs. Anita Smith Cobb's Oral History is documented in Project Say Something's collaborative Black History Project.
Florence Arts and Museums: African American Neighborhoods of Florence, Alabama
Victorine, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, GARDEN SPICES MAGAZINE with Anita Smith Cobb