Moulton in Lawrence County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Barber Shop

c.1930

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

1. The Barber Shop Marker

Inscription. Has been listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission August 24, 2022

Erected 2024 by Marvin Jackson and the Lawrence County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 34° 28.438′ N, 87° 17.007′ W. Marker is in Moulton, Alabama, in Lawrence County. It is at the intersection of Byler Road and Pinhook Road, on the right when traveling east on Byler Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2724 Byler Rd, Moulton AL 35650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North 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,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hot Spot (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeman Tabernacle Church (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moulton Negro High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Leroy Pope Walker (approx. half a mile away); Judge Thomas M. Peters (approx. half a mile away); Gallagher Hill/Science Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Moulton Church of Christ (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moulton.

Also see . . . The Barber Shop. Alabama Register

The Barber Shop. Say those words to anyone in this community, and they will know immediately that you are talking about the barber shop on Byler Road at the “Y” intersection. So long has the shop been operating, that most people now have no memory of its beginning, only that it has been there since they were born. In fact, the shop has been in continuous operation for over 70 years. While not owned by the same family for that entire period, this portion of the building has always
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, August 23, 2026

2. The Barber Shop & Marker
been a barber shop that continues even now. No matter what other businesses have rented space in the building, the barber shop, like the ocean itself, has always been there. But that’s not the complete history of this building.

The small, unassuming building was built shortly after R.M. Byars purchased the land from Mack and Willie Campbell in 1939. Over the years, it served as a grocery store/gas station before being partitioned into three separate businesses sometime prior to 1950. At that time, the Barber shop occupied one area, and the other two areas were rented out as a beauty shop, laundromat, grocery store, furniture refinishing enterprise, sandwich shop, and pool room. Currently, the building is home to the barber shop, a beauty shop, and the third area is reserved for use by the owner.¹

While the building may not have the beauty of a grand design, it is steeped in historic significance. First, this building stands in the African American community of Moulton. The people of this community have held tightly to their few historic treasures, and they have guarded them well. What businesses have ventured here are patronized
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and supported by the community as witnessed by the continuing success of the barber shop. In this community stands the Freeman Tabernacle Church—the first free African American Church in the county², the Rosenwald School—one of many schools built with funding from Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald to serve African American Communities³, and there is The Hot Spot—owned by Marvin Jackson and included on the Alabama Historic Register⁴.

(Submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.