Druid City

Druid City is a nickname for the city of Tuscaloosa, alluding to the large number of Water Oaks in the city's streets. The practice began with a group of young men who planted a row of them down one downtown street in the 1840s. The city leaders took note of the amenity of shade and spread the practice to other streets, forming a "green parasol" against the summer sun. At some point the name "City of Oaks" was modified into "Druid City", the oak tree having been sacred to the Celtic priesthood.

References

• Hubbs, Guy (Spring 2009) "Tuscaloosa on My Mind". Alabama Historical Association newsletter. Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 4-5