Westfield, Alabama

Westfield is a former coal mining camp for Tennessee Coal & Iron Co. that was purchased by U.S. Steel and developed as a planned steel worker community that was predominantly African–American. Located in Jefferson County, Alabama, it was home to Westfield High School. In 1969, it was described as a model of company owned community with various amenities noted.[1]

Early in businessman A. G. Gaston's career, he worked in the mines around Westfield. After his return from military service in Europe during World War I, he "was as a labourer with the Tennessee Coal & Iron Co. in Westfield, Alabama where his interest in entrepreneurship began to surface."[2] Star professional baseball player Willie Mays was born in Westfield in 1931.[3] Lawyer and former judge U. W. Clemon grew up in Westfield.[4]

Rev. Clarence S. Reeves wrote a history of the high school. It closed with desegregation. Alumni remained active in subsequent years.[5] In 2013 the film Westfield: Struggles to Success about Westfield High School debuted.[4]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Bond, Horace Mann (June 30, 1969). "Negro Education in Alabama: A Study in Cotton and Steel". Octagon Books – via Google Books.
  2. The Weekly Gleaner, February 6–12, 2003
  3. Brown, Dottie (January 10, 2001). Alabama. Lerner Publications. ISBN 9780822540670 – via Google Books.
  4. Chambers, Jesse (August 2, 2013). "New film remembers long-gone West Jefferson community of Westfield, home of Mays, Clemon". al.
  5. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/f220b92b-163d-4dc9-96b6-505ff48141b6/downloads/WHO%2520WILL%2520REMEMBER%2520WESTFIELD%2520WHEN%2520WE_RE%2520GONE.pdf%3Fver%3D1601166147323
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