Site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's Boyhood Home

Bear Bryant reached Alabama almost by accident. In 1931 an Alabama assistant coach came to Fordyce to scout two other players, who chose the University of Arkansas, so Alabama signed Bryant instead. He was born in Moro Bottom, a three-square-mile area where seven families lived, and was the eighth of nine children. With his father in poor health and the family poor, he often stayed with his grandfather, W. L. Kilgore, in Fordyce. In 1927 a Fordyce theater offered a dollar to anyone willing to wrestle a bear. Bryant tried, and was never paid.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Battle of Marks' Mills — 3.4 mi
• Marks Family Experience — 3.6 mi
• Battle of Marks' Mills — 3.6 mi
• Battle of Marks' Mills — 6.2 mi