About ”It Came from The Archives” - Troy University’s Wiregrass Archives Podcast
Take a look at the past through the lens of ”It Came from the Archives” as Wiregrass archivist and historian Marty Olliff shares stories from Alabama’s history. For each episode, our host and Olliff explore a facet of Wiregrass history, drawing contemporary connections to the world we live in today. Oh, and by the way, these stories are fascinating and fun, with facts and tales you’ll definitely want to share with someone! So tune in and let us be your guide through the Wiregrass archives.
Wiregrass Black History Project - It Came from the Archives - Dec 11, 2025
Dothan’s historically-black Southside neighborhood was largely destroyed by urban renewal projects in the late '50s and early '60s. But the memories of those who grew up there still persist. Preserving these memories was the goal of a joint project between the Wiregrass Archives and Mit Kirkland of the Wiregrass Black History Channel. Today, on It Came from the Archives, Dr. Olliff tells us about this project and some of the highlights from the interviews in the Wiregrass Archives.
Wiregrass Black History Project:https://spectrum.troy.edu/wbhp/index.html
4 Dec 2025
Dothan's First Bookmobile - It Came From the Archives
The nation's first bookmobile began in 1905 and was pulled by a team of horses. And it wasn't long before the idea spread to Alabama.
Read the article: https://today.troy.edu/news/it-came-from-the-archives-bookmobiles-provide-books-to-rural-folks/
20 Nov 2025
Congressman John Lewis: Early Life and Education - It Came from the Archives
Before his death in 2020, Congressman John Lewis was an influential and respected politician and civil rights leader. On this episode of It Came from the Archives, we look back at John Lewis' life and early education in rural Alabama, years marked by discrimination but also extraordinary determination.
13 Nov 2025
Midland City Mogul: Dr. Curtis Espy - It Came from the Archives
In today's day and age, you probably wouldn't ask your doctor for a loan, but in early 20th century Southern communities, doctors often doubled as entrepreneurs and merchants and kept running tabs for their patrons. One such doctor was Dr. Curtis Espy of Midland City, Alabama, whose handwritten business records are preserved in the Wiregrass Archives.
Read the article: https://today.troy.edu/perspectives/it-came-from-the-archives-the-life-and-times-of-dr-espy/
6 Nov 2025
Old Southern Churches: Stories Told in Wood and Glass - It Came From the Archives
We often say about old buildings, "If these walls could talk, the stories they'd tell." Of course, old Southern churches can't talk, but they do have stories to tell in their gables and stables and sanctuaries. Martha Dickson was listening. She has her own collection in the Wiregrass Archives and has compiled hundreds of photographs and histories of historic wooden churches in the Deep South. Today, on It Came from the Archives, the intersection of faith and architecture: stories told in wood and glass.
https://today.troy.edu/perspectives/faith-through-history-churches/
30 Oct 2025
Dothan Legend Johnny Mack Brown - It Came from the Archives
Dothan native Johnny Mack Brown has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a mural in his hometown. But many outside of the Dothan area might not remember the football and film star. He was a standout on a legendary 1925 University of Alabama football team before they were even called the Crimson Tide. But it's a long jump from Tuscaloosa to Hollywood. Today, we take a closer look at the life of local legend, Johnny Mack Brown.
12 Dec 2024
It Came from the Archives - Shaped Note/Sacred Harp Singing and the 1949 Houston County Fair
Dr. Olliff explores the 1949 Houston County Fair singing convention, shedding light on the evolution of Southern folklife conventions in response to changing technology and markets.
5 Dec 2024
It Came from the Archives - Dothan Man Was Among Fastest on the Open Sea
Troy University archivist Dr. Olliff uncovers the surprising story of Eustace E. Bishop, a Dothan man who was among the fastest on the open sea in 1945.
14 Nov 2024
It Came from the Archives - Historic Photos of Dothan's Southside Neighborhood
The Dothan neighborhood of Southside looks nothing today like it did in 1958.
Fortunately, a collection of photographs has survived the intervening decades (as well as a close encounter with a bonfire) to give us a glimpse of what the area looked like more than 65 years ago.
These pictures are the only complete record available of this neighborhood before it was reshaped by urban renewal projects and might very well represent the last time any of these buildings were ever photographed.
View the photograph collection here: www.troy.edu/about-us/dothan-ca…ventories/101.html
Read Dr. Olliff's article:today.troy.edu/perspectives/it-c…eighborhood-1958/
30 Oct 2024
It Came from the Archives - RAF Pilots Trained at Napier Field Near Dothan
During World War II, the skies over Great Britain were filled with too many German airplanes, and the weather was too inclement, for pilot-cadets to train safely. So they trained in colonies like India and South Africa, but they also trained in the US from June 1941 to March 1943.
Dr. Olliff's Article: today.troy.edu/news/archives-raf-pilot-training/
16 Oct 2024
It Came from the Archives - "The Parade of the Years"
At Dothan's first National Peanut Festival in 1938, 400 local people banded together to put on a historical pageant. The "Parade of the Years" told the story of Dothan's past and was attended by hundreds who paid a quarter in advance or a half-dollar at the gate to see the myths of their town’s heritage made flesh.
2 Oct 2024
It Came from the Archives - "Train Wrecks in the Wiregrass Region"
In this episode we explore three historic train wrecks that occurred in the Wiregrass and the archived photos that tell the story.
See the photos from the Tom Solomon Collection for yourself!www.troy.edu/about-us/dothan-ca…ventories/146.html
Read Dr. Olliff's article for Troy Today here:today.troy.edu/news/langford-train-wreck/
17 Jul 2023
It Came from the Archives - ”Businessman and Politician Charles Henderson”
Born in 1860 in Grangers Mill (now Henderson) in Pike County, Alabama, Charles Henderson became a wealthy businessman, a civic booster, an office holder, and an education proponent.
14 Feb 2023
Podcast - It Came from the Archives - ”Love Letters from the Front Lines of WWI”
Join host Greg Phillips and historian Marty Olliff for a story of love, war, and heartbreak. Together they'll delve into the WWI letters of Irene Pierce and the soldiers who vied for her affection.
1 Sept 2022
Podcast - It Came From The Archives - ”Dothan’s National Peanut Festival”
This time, Greg Phillips and Marty Olliff delve into the history of Dothan’s National Peanut Festival. Given the prominence of the festival, you might think that Dothan had a lifelong relationship with the peanut, but it turns out its first love was cotton. And if it wasn’t for a pesky little insect, that relationship might still be going strong today.
1 Aug 2022
Podcast - It Came From The Archives - ”The 1900’s Southern Army Newspaper: ’The Dixie’”
This time, Greg Phillips and Marty Olliff are talking about an Army Infantry Division newspaper, known as “The Dixie.” Recently, the Wiregrass Archives received a collection of this newspaper, which trains a lens on life in the southern 31st division of the Army.
1 Jul 2022
Podcast - It Came From The Archives - ”African American History in the Wiregrass Region”
Today, we’re tackling African American history in the Wiregrass Area, through the lens of one family in particular. In many ways, life for the Weems family in the mid-twentieth century was similar to that of other African-American families in Alabama, but in others, their experiences were extremely different.
13 Jun 2022
Podcast - It Came From The Archives - ”Troy University’s Origin Story”
In the inaugural episode of "It Came from the Archives", Host Greg Phillips sits down with Marty Olliff, Director of the Wiregrass Archives in Dothan, Alabama. Marty tells us the story of A.A. Wiley, who founded Troy University and would leave an imprint on the Wiregrass region.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact ”It Came from The Archives” - Troy University’s Wiregrass Archives Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of ”It Came from The Archives” - Troy University’s Wiregrass Archives Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
