Gaylesville in Cherokee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Gaylesville

Photographed by Angela Nichols, March 1, 2018

1. Gaylesville Marker

Inscription. Post Office est. in 1836. During the Civil War, the main body of U.S. General William Tecumseh Sherman's Army camped around the town in October 1864. A private home served as his headquarters. Despite pleas from citizens, his troops burned the mill and bridge across the Chattooga River as they left for their infamous march to the sea. Gaylesville Academy (later Gaylesville School), the first high school in the county, was organized in 1871. Gaylesville was the first town incorporated in Cherokee County (1886). From 1895-1909, a spur of the Southern Railway ran through the town to ore mines to the north.

Erected by Cherokee County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 34° 15.867′ N, 85° 33.667′ W. Marker is in Gaylesville, Alabama, in Cherokee County. It is at the intersection of Canyon Drive (Alabama Route 35) and Main Street ( Route 68), on the right when traveling south on Canyon Drive. Located on the grounds of the Gaylesville Fire Department. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4740 Main Street, Gaylesville AL 35973, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and specifically in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chattooga River (within shouting distance of this marker); Occupation of Gaylesville (approx. ¼ mile away); Cherokee County Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Cornwall Furnace Memorial Park (approx. 2 miles away); Cornwall Furnace (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Cornwall Furnace (approx. 2 miles away); Long Shadows House (approx. 2.1 miles away); Gen. N.B. Forrest Captured Col. A.D. Streight (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaylesville.

Also see . . . Gaylesville at YouTube. (Submitted on November 25, 2025, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama.)

Photographed by Angela Nichols

2. Gaylesville Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,869 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2018, by Angela Nichols of Centre, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.