Descriptive Summary
Creator: Velma L. Croom, 1911-2001
Title: Stephens G. Croom Papers
Dates: 1936-1993 [Bulk 1963-1988]
Quantity: 1.25 cu. ft.
Abstract: Contains genealogical material, a scrapbook, and material on the acquisition and arrival of the USS Alabama in Mobile.
Accession: 06-09-531

Biographical Note
Stephens G. Croom was born in 1906. Initially, Croom was active in the utility industry, but ultimately devoted forty years of his life to building a successful career in the insurance business. As a key member of the USS Alabama Development Committee Board, Stephens played a pivotal role in bringing the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama to Mobile and developing the site into a major tourist attraction. Both Stephens and his wife, Velma Lassiter Croom, were politically and civically active in Mobile society. Velma served as the president of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc., from 1950 to 1951. Stephens G. Croom died in 1992.

Scope and Content
Consists of correspondence; genealogies, including charts, birth/death/ marriage records, and newspaper and journal articles; histories; photographs; publications; a scrapbook created by Velma Croom for her children; and typescripts and correspondence related to the 1837 wreck of the steamboat Home, which killed Hardy Bryan Croom and his family. The bulk of the collection, however, pertains to Stephens Croom’s work with the USS Alabama.

Arrangement
The material is arranged into 4 series: 1. Genealogy, 1936-1978; 2: USS Alabama, 1962-1987; 3: Scrapbook, 1962-1993; 4: Steamboat Wreck of 1837

Access Restrictions
This material is open for research.

Preferred Citation
Stephens G. Croom Papers, The Doy Leale McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

Series 1. Genealogy, 1936-1978, 1 folder
This series contains Croom genealogy in the form of typescripts and correspondence. It also includes material on both the Howard and Marshall families. The typescripts are made up of genealogy charts, birth/death/ marriage records, copies of newspaper and journal articles, and short biographical sketches. Any correspondence that was directly related to a particular typescript was kept with that typescript. All other correspondence was moved to the subseries listed below. For additional genealogy, see series four, Steamboat Wreck of 1837.

Subseries 1A. Correspondence, 1936-1988, 1 folder
The majority of the letters in this subseries were written from Stephens Croom to various family members and contained genealogical inquires. In many cases, the response letter is included. The letters are arranged chronologically.

Series 2. USS Alabama, 1962-1987 (Bulk 1973-1977), .5 cu. ft.
This series will provide researchers with a well-rounded view of the process of acquiring and relocating the USS Alabama—from the initial idea in 1962, to the preparation of the site and facility for exhibition, to the culmination of historical due diligence in 1987. The correspondence within this series, dated from 1965 through 1987, is primarily focused on understanding the history of the ship. Also included are personal stories; minute-by-minute accounts of several military engagements, including a photocopy of a book that recounts a major battle in which the ship was involved; information on the crew and radar equipment; a declassified official military action report; and, lastly, plan-of-the-day documents dating from November 15, 1943 to November 10, 1944.

Series 3. Scrapbook, 1962-1993 (Bulk 1963-1978), .5 cu. ft.
Compiled by Velma Croom for her children, the scrapbook contains memorial items such as newspaper accounts published at the time of Stephens’ death. It also consists of items related to Stephens being named Mobilian of the Year in 1976, speeches and invitations to events in his honor, and newsletters and church bulletins from organizations with which he was affiliated. There is also material from his time as a member of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, including photographs, correspondence, and newspaper clippings, as well as invitations to various events related to the ship. Of note is a photograph of the members of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission with Governor George C. Wallace. Each folder in this series is made up of one page from the original scrapbook, which was disassembled during processing.

Series 4. Steamboat Wreck of 1837, 1 folder
This series contains primarily typescripts and a few pieces of correspondence regarding the wreck of the steamboat Home, which occurred in 1837 and took the life of Hardy Bryan Croom and his three children. The bulk of the series relates to the Florida court case determining who died first, father or son, and in turn, which side of the family was entitled to the family’s inheritance. Included in this series are letters (typed and handwritten), journal and newspaper articles, and court documents, including genealogy records. The series is arranged chronologically, when dates are known. (See Box 1 for this series)

1. Genealogy, 1936-1978
2. Genealogy, Correspondence, 1936-1988
4.1. Steamboat Wreck of 1837

1. USS Alabama, Acquisition, Chronology and Exhibition
2. USS Alabama, Audio – Visual: Photographs, B&W
3. USS Alabama, Audio – Visual: Color Postcards and Color Negatives
4. USS Alabama, Audio – Visual: Art
5. USS Alabama, Correspondence: 1965-1972
6. USS Alabama, Correspondence: 1973
7. USS Alabama, Correspondence: 1974
8. USS Alabama, Correspondence: 1976-1977
9. USS Alabama, Correspondence: 1982-1987
10. USS Alabama, Confederate Navy Steel Engraving Plate Literature
11. USS Alabama, Development Committee Members
12. USS Alabama, History
13. USS Alabama, Legislative Documents
14. USS Alabama, News Clippings
15. USS Alabama, Publications
16. USS Alabama, USS Drum, Submarine
17. USS Alabama, USS Wisconsin Research

1-40. Scrapbook, 1962-1993