Leighton in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
History of Leighton
Photographed by Mark Hilton
1. History of Leighton Marker (Side 1)
Side 1
Leighton developed at the intersection of the Byler Road (1819) and the Tuscumbia - Courtland Stage Road (1820), where the Jeffers/Gregg Tavern served the needs of travelers as early as 1810. Leighton was named for William Leigh, first merchant and postmaster (1824). LaGrange College was established 4 miles SW in 1830. The railroad from Tuscumbia to Decatur was completed in 1834 and much cotton was shipped over it. A Masonic hall/union church was erected in 1837. After the Battle of Town Creek, fought 4 miles east, April 28, 1863, Union troops burned stores, homes, and the college. Leighton was rebuilt and became a thriving commercial center for the surrounding area. The town was incorporated in 1891.
Side 2
Main Street (County Line Road) divided Colbert and Lawrence counties until 1895 when the boundary was moved to Town Creek. The weekly Leighton News (1890-1915) was published by F.W. McCormack. By 1910, the town had seven general merchandise stores, three groceries, five cotton buyers, two hotels, a bank, grist mill, doctors, lawyer, undertaker, druggist, livery, and Justice of the Peace. The old tavern was moved in 1911 to a spot 75 yards west of this location. Colbert County
this page online
Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Leighton.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1863.
Location. 34° 42.177′ N, 87° 31.734′ W. Marker is in Leighton, Alabama, in Colbert County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and King Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Located in front of Leighton City Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8900 Main Street, Leighton AL 35646, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Shoals. 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 territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Alabama's Historic Byler Road (a few steps from this marker); Frank R. King (1859-1939) (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of Leighton United Methodist Church (approx. Ό mile away); William Leigh (approx. 0.9 miles away); LaGrange College
Photographed by Mark Hilton
2. History of Leighton Marker (side 2)
Also see . . . Wikipedia on the town of Leighton. (Submitted on July 20, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton
3. View from marker of Leighton City Hall & Police Department.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 19, 2020
4. View north on Main Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,074 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
