By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal 

The fourth historical marker from the Battle of Selma will now have people looking at history in a new way.

With the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma approaching, the April 1865 Society, Inc. unveiled a new historical Battle of Selma marker at the corner of Summerfield Road and Highland Avenue.

April 1865 Society’s president James Hammonds said it was time for the organization to create new markers that will stand out in today’s world of technology.

“Technology has advanced,” he said. “ When you see the markers from the 1960s, 70s and 80s you just couldn’t do as much with those that you can do today.”

The fourth marker is equipped with a quick response code on the back that allows individuals to use their iPhones to download the quick response app to hear audio and watch videos about the marker.

Once individuals open the app, they can place their phones up to the quick response scanner and hear a narration of the event.

The story of Union General Eli Long’s Division’s attack on Selma’s outer fortification in April 1865 will be illustrated in the marker.

Map technology will illustrate the general’s battle plans and each location the Union military on the battlefield. The location of the marker is the half way point at which the Union began to lose casualties.

The society plans to produce a total of ten markers before the of the Battle of Selma re-enactment event scheduled for April 23. The fourth marker costs about $3,600.

Selma Mayor George Evans encourages people to view the markers, as they are being constructed throughout the city.

“These markers give people information they can go around and review, read and find out what happened back then, and determine where we are today,” he said. “They can come right here and use this site to update their history.”

Selma tourism director Ashley Mason said the marker is a state of the art piece that isn’t commonly found in the Southeast. She said she thinks it’s great Selma is one of the first cities to incorporate the new technology.

Younger generations might be swayed toward learning more about Selma’s history, given the marker’s use of technology.

“I feel like the younger generation is a lot more visual,” Mason said.

“So, being able to see a video about that historic marker will kind of put things into perspective a little more than just reading a marker about it.”

Visitors of Selma may turn to the markers for information about the city. Tour guides might not always be readily available to assist tourists with reports on the city’s most compelling pieces of historic information.

“I think it gives people the opportunity to learn a little about the history we have here because tour guides aren’t always available, and our office isn’t always open,” said Mason. “So when they (tourists) are walking down the street they’ll be able to see these markers and learn about our history.”