Buck Creek Jail and Water Tower

Buck Creek Jail and Water Tower. Shelby County. , The history of Alabaster is proudly rooted in industrial development. During the mid-to-late 19th century, cotton mills were built along rivers for their hydropower, usually in rural areas and near railroads, both of which made the Siluria community, an ideal site. Thomas Carlyle Thompson built the Siluria Cotton Mill on the banks of Buck Creek in 1896. Over the course of its history, the mill changed names and owners several times, ending with Buck Creek Cotton Mill. Thomas Thompson's name graces the Intermediate, Middle, and High Schools due to his generous donation towards the first established school. Buck Creek Cotton Mill operated from 1896 to 1979, stood abandoned for decades, fell into disrepair, and was finally demolished. The City of Alabaster purchased the property in 2003 and established the new Municipal Complex in 2013. City leaders preserved the remaining remnants of the cotton mill including the 19th century jail and early 20th century water tower. These important resources link the past to the present and will stand for citizens to enjoy for generations to come. Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, March 29, 2018.