Around Stemley Bridge captures the spirit of a community that overcame the destruction of the Civil War, reformed with Reconstruction, survived the hardships of both world wars, struggled during the Depression, and ultimately prospered. The photographs and legends herein tell of the Northern Talladega County people, from early farmers to modern-day lakeside dwellers who spend their weekends boating, skiing, and fishing. Churches, schools, businesses, and families around Stemley Bridge have preserved a way of life that has yet to succumb to the demands of a fast-paced world. From an original land deed signed by Pres. Andrew Jackson to the modern design of the bridge, images in this book traverse many cultural layers.
Author Mildred J. Stathelson traces her roots to the first settlers in the area, who arrived in the 1830s. Her interests include genealogy and church and local history. She is the author of A Family History Outline, the history of her family, and has written various articles in the Talladega Historical Newsletter and in Bonds of Love, a church periodical. Stathelson has also extensively researched the early Baptist Church in Alabama.