Oxford in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Historic Oxford

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017

1. Historic Oxford Marker

Inscription. First incorporated as a town, February 7, 1852, in Benton County, Oxford's second incorporation was approved February 21, 1860 in Calhoun County. Long before this territory was “settled”, it was inhabited by Creek Indians. In the time that the Creek Indians were leaving, Sylvanus Simmons and Dudley Snow came and settled north and south of present-day Choccolocco Street. The first post office, located in the home of Dudley Snow, served the town known as “Lick Skillet." Oxford's valuable contribution to the Confederacy in the War Between the States was a cavalry company, the Dudley Snow Rangers, organized here in 1862 and mustered into service by Col. John Tyler Morgan. The Alabama-Tennessee River Railroad was the first to lay its tracks in Oxford sometime between 1859 and 1862. The Oxford Iron Company, organized November 1862, mined iron ore and manufactured pig iron. Its furnace was burned by Federal troops April 23, 1865. Through the years, Oxford has grown, creating memories for its citizens, adopting the slogan “Crossroads of the Future.”

Erected by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Oxford
Oxford Homecoming Week, May 31-June 5, 2010

Erected 2010

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by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Oxford.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 7, 1852.

Location. 33° 36.962′ N, 85° 50.076′ W. Marker is in Oxford, Alabama, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and East Oak Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Located in Simmons Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 Main Street, Oxford AL 36203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

View from marker across Main Street to the Oxford Board of Education. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017

2. View from marker across Main Street to the Oxford Board of Education.

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Creek Indian Campaign Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Simmons Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Cooper-Pope House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The City of Oxford Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lick Skillet (approx. 0.3 miles away); Town of Hobson City, Alabama (approx. 0.6 miles away); George W. Ingram (approx. 1.1 miles away); John Tyler Morgan (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oxford.

Also see . . . The Encyclopedia of Alabama on Oxford, Alabama. (Submitted on August 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of marker in Simmons Park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, August 5, 2017

3. View of marker in Simmons Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,423 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.