In the spring of 1916, five men sat around a drug store table in the Alston Building, and discussed the idea of a Rotary Club for Tuscaloosa. Sam Clabaugh, Chamber of Commerce secretary, agreed to go to Montgomery to learn how to organize a club.

The other four--Frank Blair, Edgar Clarkson, William Faulk, and Luther Davis, put up $2.00 each to fund the trip.

Early meetings were devoted mostly to fun and fellowship, but membership growth stimulated the emergence of local service projects. Rotarians helped establish the local Community Chest, offered student loan funds, donated books to local high schools, sponsored student science fairs, and provided a language lab for a local school.

Tuscaloosa Rotary became an early participant in District affairs and Rotary International representation. James Thomas was the first District Governor from the club, only five years after the chartering. Herbert Warner demonstrated his dedication to RI by his attendance as a delegate to six international conventions.

Community service continued to grow over the years, with club sponsorship of Interact Clubs in three area high schools, and a Rotaract Club at the University of Alabama.

As integration came to the South, the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa led the way, becoming in 1973 the first Rotary Club in the state to induct a black member. The RI Constitution was amended in 1989 to include women in what had previously been an all-male club. Tuscaloosa was among the first in Alabama to cross this barrier.

The club has shown continued growth. From 147 members in July 2001, membership recently passed the 200 mark.