Bankston in Fayette County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Handy Post Office
Fayette County
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026
1. Handy Post Office Marker
In nearly 50 years of serving the community along the Byler Road, Handy Post Office retained only three postmasters. All three postmasters shared the last name of Fowler. William Fowler served as the first postmaster when the post office opened on July 6, 1857. In 1858, officials declared, the road from Handy to Jasper a postal road. The post office operated through the Civil War and then closed on July 25, 1866. It reopened on December 5, 1867, with Israel Edward Fowler serving, as postmaster. Israel Fowler served as postmaster until December 23, 1879, when control of the office reverted to his wife, Francina Elizabeth Fowler
(Reverse Side)
The post office closed effective April 30, 1906, with the mail sent to Bankston. Israel passed away in 1892. Francina passed away in 1910, just over four years after Handy Post Office closed. The Philadelphia Baptist Church organized near the Handy Post Office and joined the newly formed New River Baptist Association on October 28, 1871, with Elders J.B. Ferguson, J.J. Deavours, and W. H. Brashure as delegates to the meeting, held at Fayetteville Baptist Church.
Erected 2026
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 33° 44.46′ N, 87° 38.802′ W. Marker is in Bankston, Alabama, in Fayette County. It is on County Road 93 0.2 miles north of Alabama Highway 13, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6521 Co Rd 93, Bankston AL 35542, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Zion Church & Byler Road (approx. 2.3 miles away); Dobbs, Alabama
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026
2. Handy Post Office Marker
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026
3. Handy Post Office Marker
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026
4. Handy Post Office Marker across from Philadelphia Baptist Church
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
