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RE: THE JONES CLAIM TO THE ATHENS PIKE 2.25 ACRE LAND PARCEL

Overview

In September 2022, 鈥淲here is My Land,鈥� a California-based corporation, initiated a social media campaign to announce its efforts to support the descendants of Mr. Willie Jones in their pursuit of compensation for the alleged improper acquisition of his land, which included a well. The acquisition took place in the late 1950鈥檚 when the City of Huntsville exercised eminent domain to acquire the land. Because the University of Alabama in Huntsville has been a subject of the social media posts, the University has gathered the relevant public records related to those allegations. Those records are summarized herein and are publicly available at the Madison County Records Center and the Madison County Probate Court.

Timeline of Events

1954-1956: The City of Huntsville condemned a 60 feet x 40 feet lot on Athens Pike to acquire a well site for a public water supply. Records show the City compensated Willie Jones and his family for the property.

In 1954, the Huntsville City Council authorized the City to acquire a 60 feet x 40 feet lot (approximately 0.05 acres) on Athens Pike, now Holmes Avenue, which contained a well. This lot was part of the 2.25-acre parcel of land in question. After efforts to purchase the well site from its owners proved unsuccessful, the City Council authorized the City to begin condemnation proceedings to obtain the property. Condemnation is the legal process by which a government may exercise its eminent domain authority to acquire private property for the broader public use and benefit, and the City Council specifically highlighted that its purpose in seeking the well site was to obtain a source of water and an adequate clean water supply for the residents of Huntsville.

After being served with notice of the proceedings, Willie Jones, his brother Lloyd Jones, his sister Reva Jones Boyd, and his cousin Charlie Eldridge hired attorney David R. Archer to represent them in obtaining compensation for the well site. Attorney Archer appeared on their behalf at the initial court hearing and did not object to the City鈥檚 acquisition of the site. Additionally, Willie Jones submitted a notarized statement, prepared by Attorney Archer, in which he outlined his claim as to how the 2.25-acre parcel of land, including the well site, was passed down over time to the descendants of his grandmother, Lizzie Jones.

The Madison County Probate Court initially awarded compensation of $900 for the 0.05 acre well site. Not satisfied with this valuation, Willie Jones and his family had Attorney Archer appeal the valuation to the Madison County Circuit Court. On November 7, 1955, a trial was held which resulted in a twelve-member jury increasing the valuation of the well site to $1,250. Subsequently, on March 27, 1956, the Judge of Probate awarded compensation to Willie Jones, Lloyd Jones, Reva Jones Boyd, Charlie Eldridge, and Wille Jones鈥� niece, Lillie Mae Crawford, for their interests in the well site.

1958-1962: Records show Willie Jones transferred his interest in the remainder of the 2.25-acre parcel to W.L. Sanderson.

On October 15, 1958, Willie Jones and his wife, Lola Mae Jones, transferred their ownership interest in the remaining portion of the 2.25-acre parcel by deed to W.L. Sanderson Realty, Inc. W.L. Sanderson transferred his interest in the parcel to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama on April 6, 1962.

1962: Madison County and the City of Huntsville filed another application of condemnation to acquire the remainder of the 2.25-acre parcel on Athens Pike. Records show the County and City compensated Mr. Jones鈥檚 siblings and extended family for their interests in the remainder of the parcel when the City acquired it.

On June 11, 1962, Madison County and the City filed another condemnation application seeking to acquire multiple pieces of property for public use and benefit. This application included a tract that encompassed the remainder of the 2.25-acre parcel on Athens Pike where the Jones family had asserted an interest. In preparation for this proceeding, legal representatives for both the County and City examined records and interviewed local residents in the vicinity of the property to identify any potential individuals who may have held any ownership interest in the property.

A Madison County sheriff鈥檚 deputy served Willie Jones and the other potential claimants with notice of the second condemnation proceeding. A transcript from the July 11, 1962, initial hearing on the second condemnation identifies Willie Jones as being present in the courtroom.

Lloyd Jones, Reva Jones Boyd, Charlie Eldridge, and Lillie Mae Crawford (again, the siblings and extended family of Willie Jones) hired attorney Roscoe Roberts to assist them in seeking compensation in the second condemnation proceeding. Attorney Roberts filed a complaint on November 18, 1963, wherein Willie Jones鈥� siblings and extended family once again described the chain of succession from Lizzie Jones of a 2.25-acre parcel of land in which they claimed an interest. Willie Jones鈥� siblings and extended family specifically noted in this complaint that in 1958, Willie Jones conveyed his remaining interest in the 2.25-acre parcel by deed to W.L. Sanderson Realty, and that W.L. Sanderson transferred this interest to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama. They further provided reference to the Jones deed as evidence supporting the fact that Willie Jones no longer had a claim to the property. Willie Jones, despite having notice of the proceedings and appearing at the initial hearing, did not challenge any aspect of his family鈥檚 submission to the court, including their admission of his prior transfer of his interest in the property by deed.

On February 27, 1964, the Madison County Circuit Court issued its final order valuing the 2.25- acre tract at $5,877.74. Compensation was subsequently awarded to those with ownership interests in the property, including Willie Jones鈥� siblings and extended family.

1962-1963: The City and County donated multiple parcels of property to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama to be used for educational purposes.

After legally acquiring all property interests in the 2.25-acre parcel on Athens Pike and multiple other parcels of property in the early 1960鈥檚, Madison County and the City of Huntsville jointly transferred their ownership to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama for educational purposes and the establishment of a research institute.

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