Triana dedicates bicentennial maker, town rejuvenation

TRIANA – The Town of Triana celebrated its bicentennial with the dedication of a historic marker for the “Rebirth of Triana.”

Triana residents, town officials and area legislators joined the observances for the town’s bicentennial and for “The Rebirth of Triana Marker” on July 13 at Triana Municipal Building, 640 Sixth St.

Both the town and the state were founded in 1819, and the ceremony recognized their ‘birthday’ of 200 years, Triana Mayor Mary Caudle said. The community also honored the 55th anniversary of ‘rejuvenation’ of the Town of Triana in 1964.

Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Johnny Ford, the first African American mayor of Tuskegee. The late Clyde Foster, the first mayor of the ‘new’ Triana community, was recognized. Dorothy Foster, widow of Clyde Foster, attended with the Foster’s siblings.

Other dignitaries attending the ceremony included Kim Caudle Lewis, president of Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce and CEO of PROJECTXYZ; Larry Lewis, President of PROJECTXYZ; Joe Fletcher; William Hampton; State Rep. Mike Ball; and District 2 Madison County Commissioner Steve Haraway.

The Alabama Historical Association approved the installation of the marker. Sponsors for the marker and observance were the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and Triana Historical Society.

The inscription on the “Rebirth of Triana, Alabama” marker reads as follows:

“Initially incorporated in 1819, the Triana government became dormant after 1830. Over 100 years later, the citizens of Triana met at Saint Paul Methodist Church to plan the rebirth of its government. Madison County Probate Judge Ashford Todd approved the citizens’ petition and reinstated the town in July 1964.”

“The first African American officials of the new Triana were Mayor Clyde Foster and town councilors Jessie J. Bennett, David L. Barnes, Joe L. Fletcher, William Griffin and Erskine Parcus. This new governing body established a rural water system and assisted in obtaining the first-in-the-nation USDA Section 504 Rural Housing Economic Opportunity Loan. Two hundred years after its initial incorporation, Triana was a thriving community.”

For more information, call 256-772-0151, email ttriana@bellsouth.net or visit townoftriana.com or Facebook/Town of Triana.