Thomasville in Clarke County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Thomasville's Early History
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 25, 2017
1. Thomasville's Early History Marker (Side 1)
Side 1
In the summer of 1887, a notice was published confirming that the route for the Mobile and West Alabama Railroad would be the Choctaw Corner route. Soon the sounds of building could be heard over the swamp that was the headwaters of the Bassett Creek. A new town was under construction to be named Thomasville in honor of General Samuel Thomas, president of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad Company. The town grew rapidly and soon became the hub of commercial activity for this area. Lumber, timbers, forest products and hundreds of bales of cotton were being shipped by rail each year. As commerce grew, so did the residential area. Many families moved to the new bustling town and soon schools and places of worship were built.
Side 2
This growth, however, was halted in the summer of 1889, when an epidemic almost depopulated Thomasville. Many families moved away from town and businesses temporarily closed. This epidemic is now referred to as the “Thomasville Fever.” When the epidemic had passed, the town quickly resumed its growth. In 1899, tragedy struck again. Fire destroyed the entire business section of town. In all, 23 wooden structures, a hotel, 700 bales of cotton, and one residence were wiped out. The town passed an ordinance requiring
this page online
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Thomasville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 31° 54.795′ N, 87° 44.116′ W. Marker is in Thomasville, Alabama, in Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Nicol Avenue, on the left when traveling west on Wilson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Wilson Avenue, Thomasville AL 36784, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thomasville War Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Williams’ Temple CME Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Airmount Grave Shelter And Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away); Tallahatta Springs (approx. 6½ miles away); Choctaw Corner (approx. 6.9 miles away); Town of Fulton (approx. 8.6 miles away); Fulton, Alabama (approx. 8.6 miles away); Pine Hill, Alabama (approx. 9.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomasville.
Also see . . . The Encyclopedia of Alabama article on Thomasville. (Submitted on February 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 25, 2017
2. Thomasville's Early History Marker (Side 2)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 25, 2017
3. Thomasville's Early History Marker looking west on Wilson Avenue.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 25, 2017
4. View of marker looking east on Wilson Avenue towards railroad crossing.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, February 25, 2017
5. Part of the new history of the city, the Thomasville Civic Center & City Hall.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 26, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
