Horace King was born a slave, but achieved his freedom through his powerful gifts as an architect, engineer, and builder. Horace King built both of the bridges that served as “ground zero” for the Battle of Columbus. By the end of his life he achieved elected political office in the state of Alabama. John Godwin, King’s former master, became King’s partner and dear friend. Horace King paid for a memorial to Godwin and inscribed it with a fond epitaph to his “former master and friend.”

Left: Horace King was the ex-slave who constructed both of the bridges upon which the Battle of Columbus was fought.

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CLICK HERE to watch a video about Horace King