Official Alabama Flora, Fauna, & Miscellany

Since the furor over changing the state song began, we've heard several individuals state they had no idea Alabama even had an official song. Indeed, Alabama has many official items. Here's a list we've compiled from various sources:

Song - Alabama by Julia Tutwiler
Bible - State Bible in Montgomery
Seal - Great Seal of Alabama
Creed - Creed of Alabama
Coat of Arms - Eagles Supporting Shield
Poet Laureate - Sue Walker (A former poet laureate was Morton Prouty of Florence)
Nickname - Yellowhammer State
Motto - "We Dare Defend Our Rights"
Flag - Crimson Cross of St. Andrew
Bird - Yellowhammer
Game Bird - Wild Turkey
Horse - Racking Horse
Mammal - Black Bear
Marsupial - Opossum
Reptile - Red-Bellied Turtle
Insect - Monarch Butterfly
Butterfly - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Freshwater Fish - Largemouth Bass
Saltwater Fish - Fighting Tarpon
Amphibian - Red Hills Salamander
Shell - Caphella Junonia Johnstoneae
Fossil - Basilosaurus Cetoides
Flower - Camellia Japonica
Wildflower - Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Vine Fruit - Blackberry
Tree Fruit - Peach
Tree - Southern Longleaf Pine
Nut - Pecan
Rock - Marble
Gemstone - Star Blue Quartz
Mineral - Hematite
Soil - Bama Soil Series
Folk Dance - Square Dance
Quilt - Pine Burr Quilt
Renaissance Faire - Florence Renaissance Faire
Spirit - Conecuh Ridge Whiskey
Theatre - Alabama Theatre of the Performing Arts
Championship Contest - Horse Show
Horseshoe Tournament - Stockton Fall Horseshoe Tournament
Barbecue Championship - Demopolis Christmas Cook-off on the River
Musical Drama - The Incident at Looney's Tavern
Non-Musical Drama - The Miracle Worker
Agricultural Museum - Dothan Landmark Parks
Veterans Museum - Alabama Veterans Museum, Athens, Alabama

We're not bothering with jokes--it would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Perhaps the salient point is that for each of these items, albeit dating back to the 1800's, the State Legislature actually dedicated time and effort in establishing these officialities. See any you'd like changed? Or how about a campaign for an official state crustacean like Louisiana has? Contact us; we'll work on it.


Shoalanda