Locust Fork in Blount County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

History of Locust Fork

Photographed By David J Gaines, November 30, 2011

1. History of Locust Fork Marker, side A

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

While traveling south with his troops, General Andrew Jackson camped at the fork of the river in 1813. General Jackson carved his name in a locust tree naming this area Locust Fork. In 1817, the Hanby family came from Virginia and settled in this community on a tract of land near the Polly Martin Ford on the Warrior River. They built a three-story log house used as an inn. Gabriel Hanby died in March 1826 and is buried in the Hudson Cemetery. He is credited with being the first Blount County citizen to represent Blount County in the Alabama State Legislature, in the early 1800s. Nick Hudson built a public inn in what is now Locust Fork. He erected barns to shelter the horses and hogs of Tennessee farmers who drove them to the deeper South for a more profitable market.

(Back):
The first church in the community was built with slave labor near Robinette Springs. Tabernacle, a Methodist church, was used for both school and church activities. In 1921 a new school building was erected. Another classroom was added the following year and in 1928 two more classrooms were added. In 1937, with WPA assistance, a new high school was

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constructed. On January 10, 1961, the school burned. A new building is now located on this site. Locust Fork was incorporated January 18, 1977. F. M. Wilder was elected the town’s first mayor. Council members included Hoyt Ingram, Roderick Jett, James Glass, Glenn Osborne and Paul Marsh. The volunteer fire department was organized May 23, 1978. Fire chief was Robert “Bob” Rutherford.

Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Locust Fork. (Marker Number None.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1476.

Location. 33° 54.363′ N, 86° 37.008′ W. Marker is in Locust Fork, Alabama, in Blount County. Marker is on Town Hall Road, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located in front of the City Hall building on block off AL HWY 79. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Fork AL 35097, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gabriel Hanby, 1786-1826 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Homesite and Grave of George Powell (approx. 4 miles

History of Locust Fork Marker, side B image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David J Gaines, November 30, 2011

2. History of Locust Fork Marker, side B

away); Historic Oneonta L & N Railroad Depot (approx. 8½ miles away); Welcome to Oneonta (approx. 8½ miles away); Blount County (approx. 8.7 miles away); Champion Mines (approx. 9.3 miles away); Blount Springs (approx. 10.4 miles away); Holly Springs School (approx. 10½ miles away).

History of Locust Fork Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David J Gaines, November 30, 2011

3. History of Locust Fork Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,570 times since then and 228 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 2, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.