Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
On November 7, the Carl Elliott Regional Library in Jasper hosted “A Photographic Journey Through Alabama’s Past,” featuring photographer Glenn Wills.
Known for his dedication to capturing the forgotten remnants of Alabama’s history, Wills has published four books showcasing the abandoned structures and vanishing relics scattered across the state.
These collections, titled Forgotten Alabama, More Forgotten Alabama, 200 Years of Forgotten Alabama, and his latest, Finding Forgotten Alabama, have resonated with audiences drawn to these neglected sites’ fading beauty.
During the event, Wills took attendees on a journey through his career and shared stories behind many of his photos. He described his evolution from a television news photographer to a documentarian of Alabama’s hidden past.
Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Wills found his calling as a videographer in television news and later moved to Birmingham, where he worked as a satellite truck engineer. The position required him to be on the road often, and as he explained, those long drives introduced him to many corners of Alabama he hadn’t known existed.
Wills shared a pivotal moment in the fall of 2007 that sparked his interest in photographing forgotten places. Driving between Childersburg and Sylacauga, he spotted a 1957 Chevy Bel Air parked outside a salvage yard. This rusted relic, surrounded by acres of more vintage cars, made an impression that lingered with him.
“That was sort of the catalyst for Forgotten Alabama,” he explained. “In January 2013, I took an entry-level Nikon camera, hopped in my truck, and set out to see what I could find.”
What began as a spontaneous project turned into a passion requiring meticulous planning.
“That first attempt with no real plan was a fiasco,” he admitted, “so I broke the state down into 16 sections and scanned every mile of every state and federal highway in Alabama via satellite maps, looking for places to photograph. I ended up with around 2,000 different sites to visit.” He added, “I firmly believe God dropped Forgotten Alabama in my lap, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Library Director Sandra Underwood expressed her gratitude for Wills’ visit and for the enthusiastic attendance at the event.
“We’re happy to have had Glenn Wills with us and grateful for the great turnout,” she said. “This is part of our quarterly event series for our adult programs at the Jasper Public Library. We have so many wonderful programs for children, but we want to do more for adults in the community, and this was a great way to kick that off.” WL
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