Joppa in Cullman County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Guthrie-Holden Farm

Cullman County

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, December 26, 2025

1. The Guthrie-Holden Farm Marker

Inscription. George Dempsey Holden and his wife Carrie Owen Holden settled 35 acres of this the farm in 1907. They chose to settle here because of the Joppa Normal Collegiate Institute nearby and they wanted their seven children to gain a college education. The Holden's added 40 additional acres of land to the farm in 1916. In 1937 the Holden's daughter, Myrtle and son-in-law. Archie purchased the farm. They continued the family tradition of farming cotton, corn, sorghum cane, cattle, hogs, and chickens. After purchasing the farm, the Guthrie's remodeled the home and added pine floors and a basement. The family lived off the land and sold vegetables at the Farmer's Market in Birmingham. They also ran a Grade B Dairy on the farm and sold the milk to be made into butter and cheese. Life on the farm was typical, and consisted of early mornings and long days by every family member. Myrtle also taught school at Joppa Jr. High School. The farm remained in the family until 2001, when it was sold.

Erected 2018 by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture

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• Animals • Women. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 34° 16.774′ N, 86° 33.09′ W. Marker is in Joppa, Alabama, in Cullman County. It can be reached from New Hope Road (County Road 71/1809) north of County Road 1811, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1427 New Hope Road, Joppa AL 35087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Corbin Homestead (approx. 0.3 miles away); Farmer's Exchange (approx. 4.1 miles away); Stephen Tuttle

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, December 26, 2025

2. The Guthrie-Holden Farm Marker

Thompson (approx. 4.1 miles away); 1883 Methodist Church Cemetery (approx. 4.2 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 4.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Bear Meat Cabin Road (approx. 5 miles away); Gilliam Springs Baptist Church (approx. 5 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. First Arab High School / First Arab Auditorium (was approx. 4.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. Marker is located about 1/10 mile east of the county road in the front yard of the old home. The old driveway is almost overgrown. Permission to visit can be gained by stopping at Humphries Turf Supply across the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.