Book of Homewood history launches at Alabama Booksmith

Martha Wurtele began collecting photographs in 1984, hoping to create a book. On Nov. 30, that book launched at Alabama Booksmith.

Wurtele worked with Jake Collins, creator of the Homewood History Hunt blog, on their book Images of America: Homewood. At the book launch in downtown Homewood, community members who donated photos or just knew the authors showed up to congratulate them and to get a copy of their book signed.

J.L. Shaia of Shaia’s Clothing came to celebrate the book, which has his father and grandfather on the cover.

“This little book is so full of history,” Shaia said. “I’m just so impressed with the work that was put into this.”

Wurtele said the journey of creating a book has been an exciting one. As she started collecting photos, she compiled a slideshow for the Homewood Public Library. The publisher, Arcadia Publishing, saw Collins’ blog which used Wurtele’s photos, and the path to a book began.

“My goal was always to make them into a book, and when Jake started with his social media [Homewood History Hunt]… Jake saw my name because he used my photos, and he went to school with my nephew, so he called my brother,” Wurtele said.

Charley “Shorty” Lane gave several photos for Collins and Wurtele to use in the book. He said the experience of talking with Wurtele allowed him to learn new things about the city where he grew up.

“I learned some stuff about people who lived here in Homewood that I didn’t realize lived here,” Lane said.

Lane said he hopes people who read the book, whether they’re a Homewood resident or not, will learn more about the community and the people in it.

“I hope they would learn about people who have lived in Homewood,” Lane said, “even if they weren’t in those particular groups.”

 Collins said he picked up several favorite stories as he interviewed people in Homewood, but those stories couldn’t make it into the book.

“I’ve got a few stories, but I was told not to tell them. Those are the best,” Collins said.

The book is available in hardcover and paperback through Collins or Wurtele or at Alabama Booksmith, Little Professor or Seibel’s.