Near Luverne in Crenshaw County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Town of Petrey

Crenshaw County

Photographed by James L.Whitman, April 23, 2025

1. Town of Petrey Crenshaw Coubty Marker

Inscription. The town of Petrey was named for the family of George Petrey and his first wife Martha Ann Blackwater, who settled in the area around 1850 after traveling from the Carolinas. The town was originally called Forkland, but was renamed in honor of the Petrey family when the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) Railroad built a train station in the town. One of George Petrey's sons Luke owned the land where the train station was built and donated land for the right of way across his property. Petrey was a stop on the ACL passenger circuit that serviced the nearby towns of Sellers Station, Lapine, Bradleyton, Patsburg and Luverne until the company ended passenger service in 1957. Early schools in Petrey reflected the overall population boom, with eight teachers and as many as 250 children enrolled in the town's heyday. Businesses in Petrey included several stores, cotton and grist mills, a blacksmith, and a hotel. In the 1930s, the town even had its own diesel power plant provide electricity to the citizens of Petrey. It was a farming community throughout most of the early twentieth century.

Erected 2023 by Town of Petrey

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and Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 31° 50.988′ N, 86° 12.364′ W. Marker is near Luverne, Alabama, in Crenshaw County. It is at the intersection of School House Circle and Community House Rd, on the right when traveling north on School House Circle. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 School House Cir, Luverne AL 36049, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 New Spain,

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historic Freemon Family Home (approx. 2½ miles away);

Photographed by James L.Whitman, April 23, 2025

2. Town of Petrey Crenshaw Coubty Marker

Camp Ground Methodist Church (approx. 5 miles away); Rodgers School (approx. 7 miles away); Elam Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 8½ miles away); Site of Highland Home College (approx. 9½ miles away); Crenshaw County Courthouse (approx. 9.8 miles away); Rutledge Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 9.8 miles away); The Bricken Building (approx. 9.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luverne.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Goshen Substation (was approx. 9.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Town of Petrey Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James L.Whitman, April 23, 2025

3. Town of Petrey Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2025, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 3. submitted on April 24, 2025, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.