Killen in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Town of Killen

Established 1896

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2010

1. Town of Killen Marker (Side 1)

Inscription.
[Side 1:]
The area known as Killen in Lauderdale County, was settled in the early 1800s. In 1826, Joseph Mason was appointed the first postmaster of the new community called Masonville, later to become Killen. The post office existed until 1866. In the 1830s the construction of the Alabama Canal brought growth to the area. The canal was built to solve the navigation problems created by the shoals in the Tennessee River. Construction on the new canal began in 1875 and the 14 1/2 - mile canal, with nine locks with a lift of 85 feet, opened November 10, 1890. The canal was renamed the Muscle Shoals Canal. Lock six served as the headquarters and was located just 1/2- mile south of Killen. The canal system had a major economic impact on the development of Killen. Many of the citizens were employed on the canal and others supplied raw materials and food for the operation. Continued on other side
[ Side 2:]
(Continued from the other side) In 1885, 200 men were employed by the Corps of Engineers. Many of these men built homes near their work. In 1895, Mr. James Sharp Killen built a general store and applied for a post

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office. He sent in three possible names with the application and Killen was chosen. The post office opened on August 22, 1896 and the Town of Killen was founded. Killen was incorporated and established a police department in 1957. A fire department was started in 1962 and a town park was added in 1976. The town library was established in 1985. Killen has grown because of the good citizens of this community and the moral fortitude established by our local churches. The Killen Lions Club was chartered in 1957 and is a major community asset. Other sources of pride for the Killen area are Brooks Elementary, dating to 1908, and Brooks High School which opened in 1968.

Erected 2010 by Erected By The Alabama Tourism Department And The Town of Killen.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1966.

Location. 34° 51.566′ N, 87° 32.439′ W. Marker is in Killen, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on J.C.

Town of Killen Marker (Side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2010

2. Town of Killen Marker (Side 2)

Mauldin Highway west of Poplar Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Killen AL 35645, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Muscle Shoals Canal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Killen and the Canal System (approx. 1.2 miles away); Tate Springs Estate Early 1800’s (approx. 2.6 miles away); Byler Road Begins / Chief Doublehead’s Trail (approx. 3.7 miles away); Bainbridge (approx. 4.1 miles away); Earliest Methodist Congregation in Lauderdale County, Alabama (approx. 4.6 miles away); Lone Cedar Church of Christ

Town of Killen Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2010

3. Town of Killen Marker

The Baptist Church can be seen in the background.

(approx. 4.6 miles away); St. Florian Historic District (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Killen.

Town of Killen Marker with the New Townhall and Library in the Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2010

4. Town of Killen Marker with the New Townhall and Library in the Background

Town of Killen Book Store and Old Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2010

5. Town of Killen Book Store and Old Town Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 2,106 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 1, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.