Near Arley in Winston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Bethel School

First Known School In The Greater Arley Community

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011

1. Bethel School Marker

Inscription. The Community’s first four settlers homesteaded land near this site in 1832. The little log schoolhouse, just 18 feet square, was built in 1874. The land, given by L. F. Hembree, is now the site of Bethel Cemetery. With no heat, a dirt floor, and split-long benches, the school played a major role in the development of Winston County. The first teacher, Isham P. Gibson, later became tax assessor and probate judge. A later teacher, John J. Curtis, became probate judge. One of the first students, Rev. Geo. W. Gibson, was the Community’s first historian and the County’s first farm demonstration agent. From its earliest days, the little schoolhouse also served as a church.

Erected 1979 by The Arley Community Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 34° 1.119′ N, 87° 10.304′ W. Marker is near Arley, Alabama, in Winston County. It is on Wilson Bend Road (County Route 12) north of County Route 242, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office

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area: Arley AL 35541, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Piney Ridge School (approx. 2.9 miles away); Old Arley School (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Party Line - The “Talking Machine” (approx. 4.3 miles away); Nathan, Alabama (approx. 4.6 miles away); History of Meek School (approx. 4.7 miles away); Arley, Alabama (approx. 4.8 miles away); Meek High School War Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away); Early Post Office Site (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arley.

Bethel School Marker Stands Next To The Old Bethel Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011

2. Bethel School Marker Stands Next To The Old Bethel Church

Bethel Cemetery located across the road from the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, May 29, 2011

3. Bethel Cemetery located across the road from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,207 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2011, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.