Some say the devil is in the details, and the history of one small city in Alabama may just prove them right. The fortunes of this city—once considered equal to Chicago, Illinois in terms of promise—may have been decided by one thing: someone’s decision to hire a French chef.
It was 1836, and a New York City newspaper named Wetumpka, Alabama and Chicago, Illinois the “most promising two cities of the West.” I know what you’re thinking: Alabama was a western state? But at that time, Alabama really was at the western edge of the United States (only Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Louisiana were more western, and apparently New Orleans wasn’t particularly impressive yet). Questions of geography notwithstanding, this declaration does make one wonder…how could a city of such promise slip into relative obscurity?
Cue the French chef. In the early 19th century, the balance of power in Alabama was shifting and those wielding the power wanted the state capital moved to a location that reflected the increasing power and wealth of the southern and central parts of the state (the former capital was Huntsville and a temporary capital had been established in Tuscaloosa).
Two cities were the contenders: Wetumpka and Montgomery. Through most of the campaign, neither city had an advantage over the other—support from the representatives who would decide the matter was effectively split evenly between the two. But then, just before the vote, Montgomery convinced an expensive French chef to work for the hotel that the city built to accommodate the representatives if Montgomery became the capital. Elegant menus were distributed to those who would vote. The lure of fine French cuisine swayed the vote and Montgomery became the capital.
Of course, it may be wrong to lay all the blame at the feet of the French chef. Within a year of the loss of the state captial-ship, Wetumpka suffered a devastating fire. The economic ravishes of the Civil War added to Wetumpka’s difficulties. The proverbial “final straw” was a crushing flood that washed away bridges and much of the city’s infrastructure.
I guess this means we shouldn’t laugh at students who run for office in their schools with the campaign platform of better cafeteria food. And if you read this and are planning a bid for student body president, the lesson is clear: go French.
