Wadley in Randolph County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Town of Wadley

Photographed by Dave W, September 24, 2022

1. Town of Wadley Marker

Inscription. Wadley is located on the west bank of the Tallapoosa River in southwest Randolph County. It was born circa 1901 with the advent of the new Atlanta-Birmingham and Atlantic Railroad and named for George Dole Wadley who was vice president and general manager of the railroad construction work. It was incorporated on September 15. 1908 with a population of 333. The first store was owned by the first mayor Minus H. Radney who supplied materials for the construction of the railroad. Still standing today is the railroad's unusual depot, costing more than $12.000 to build, and described as "one of the handsomest along the line” in the October 6, 1908 Roanoke Leader newspaper supplement. Wadley. conceived and designed as a Model City by the Callaway Development Co. of LaGrange, Georgia of which Fuller E. Callaway was president, is one of few planned communities. It featured a main street of businesses and a central park bordered by three beautiful churches: Christian Baptist and Methodist.

First Bank was one of few banks that did not close during the Great Depression. The first major industry arrived in 1946 when W.P. Clegg organized

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Clegg Manufacturing which grew from four employees to 180. Wadley is home to Southern Union State Community College which began as Bethlehem College supported by the Congregational Christian Church. The college became state owned Oct. I, 1964. Plantation Patterns, which produced wrought iron furniture, was Wadley's largest manufacturing plant in 2009.

Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Wadley.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1908.

Location. 33° 7.289′ N, 85° 33.893′ W. Marker is in Wadley, Alabama, in Randolph County. It is on Main Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 Main St, Wadley AL 36276, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East 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,

Photographed by Dave W, September 24, 2022

2. Town of Wadley Marker

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 are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Louina (approx. half a mile away); Daviston, Alabama / Daviston School (approx. 6½ miles away); The Martin Theatre (approx. 11.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 11.3 miles away); Randolph County Training School (approx. 11.8 miles away); Clark Funeral Home (approx. 11.9 miles away); World War I Memorial (approx. 13.8 miles away); World War II, Korea and Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 13.8 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Roanoke Doll Factory (was approx. 11.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Tecumseh and the Prophets (was approx. 13.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Dave W, September 24, 2022

3. Town of Wadley Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 1,336 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 25, 2022, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.