Fort Payne in DeKalb County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Boom Town Historic District

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
1. Boom Town Historic District Marker
Inscription. Boom Town Historic District. . Around 1889-1891 Fort Payne experienced a great industrial boom due to promotion by New England investors who speculated greatly on the area’s mineral deposits. During this period several highly ornate commercial and civic buildings, along with the planned park, were constructed along Gault Avenue. The Fort Payne Opera House and other buildings in the same block constructed by the Fort Payne Coal and Iron Co., together with the Sawyer Building, the Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot and Union Park retain the integrity of the boom town era and comprise a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, the year of Fort Payne’s centennial. . This historical marker was erected in 1989 by Alabama Historical Commission / Landmarks and the City of Fort Payne. It is in Fort Payne in DeKalb County Alabama
Around 1889-1891 Fort Payne experienced a great industrial boom due to promotion by New England investors who speculated greatly on the area’s mineral deposits. During this period several highly ornate commercial and civic buildings, along with the planned park, were constructed along Gault Avenue. The Fort Payne Opera House and other buildings in the same block constructed by the Fort Payne Coal & Iron Co., together with the Sawyer Building, the Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot & Union Park retain the integrity of the boom town era and comprise a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, the year of Fort Payne’s centennial.
Erected 1989 by Alabama Historical Commission / Landmarks and the City of Fort Payne.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 34° 26.637′ N, 85° 43.138′ W. Marker is in Fort Payne, Alabama, in DeKalb County. Marker is on 5th Street south of Gault Avenue North (U.S. 
Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016
2. Boom Town Historic District Marker
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11), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Payne AL 35968, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Payne Opera House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Payne’s Fort (about 300 feet away); Wills Town Mission (about 300 feet away); Sequoyah (about 300 feet away); Alabama (about 500 feet away); Main Street Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cherokee Indian Removal (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Payne.

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
3. Boom Town Historic District Marker

Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016
4. Boom Town Historic District Marker

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
5. Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
6. Fort Payne Opera House Built in 1889

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
7. Gault Avenue (Highway 11) Downtown Fort Payne

Photographed By Tim Carr, June 15, 2008
8. Civil War Monument in Union Park

Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016
9. Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot

Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016
10. Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot

Photographed By Tom Bosse, November 25, 2016
11. Alabama Great Southern Railroad Depot
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,652 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 2. submitted on April 2, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 4. submitted on April 2, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 27, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 9, 10, 11. submitted on November 27, 2016, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.