Demopolis unveils new sign of industrial road for John Cox Webb - with a catch

Demopolis leaders unveiled a new sign of a connector road in the Demopolis Industrial Park bearing the name of industry advocate John Cox Webb.

But the black and white sign that was unveiled actually said, “’Bout Damn Time.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd made up of Webb’s family and friends as well as city supporters who had gathered at the intersection of Buddy Griffith Drive and the connector road Webb famously hounded city leaders – including Mayor Woody Collins – to complete for 30 years.

The gag sign was later replaced with the real sign that says John Cox Webb IV Drive. It now marks the road that was finished in 2023 but not named after Webb until this year. However, the naming came shortly after Webb passed away in March.

His daughter, Mary Elizabeth Webb Lawrence, who came back to Demopolis from New York for the ceremony that included a reception, said her father would have loved the original sign. 

Webb served on the Industrial Board for 27 years and pushed for the loop road that made the park easier for tenants to navigate and opened up 50-plus more acres for new industries to bring their businesses to Demopolis.

Collins said Webb had such an impact on the city, they should have named a block on Main Street after him. 

“Those of us that knew John Cox, he would rather have his name right here than he would downtown in front of City Hall,” Collins said.