Collinsville in DeKalb County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Fires and Floods
Photographed by David J Gaines, January 4, 2013
1. Fires and Floods Marker
Inscription.
Fires and Floods. . Collinsville burned twice. On December 24, 1884, the Collinsville Depot, Hall-Mackey Store and other businesses were destroyed. Flames again swept the town on February 2, 1900, damaging and destroying businesses and homes including: B.A. Nowlin store (where the fire began), J.W. Collins Grocery, Morris and Morris Music House, The Oliver Hotel, Postmaster J.H. Collins residence, Halls Dry Goods Co., I.Q. Melton, Nicholson and McWhorter building, R.L. Wright, Jeweler, Boston Killian Furniture and Livery, J.L. Ford Harness and Shoemaker, J.E. Smith building, A.B. Tidmore building, G.W. Roberts Warehouse, R.A. Burt Livery, W.H. Appleton residence, Charles Roberts Groceries, G.W. Keener General Merchandise, J.W. Lackey building, W.A. Wilbanks General Merchandise, Collinsville Post Office, and Dr. J.A. Hall, Dentist. Collinsville rebuilt after both fires., (Reverse): , Location was a major factor in mid-nineteenth century growth of Collinsville. The plush valley, once home of the Cherokee, was situated on a well established trade route from Rome to Gunters Landing and from Tuscaloosa to Rosss Landing. The Town suffered as it was inundated annually with flood waters from heavy rains that rushed down Lookout Mountain causing Little Wills Creek to overflow onto Main Street and into businesses and houses as well as Collinsville School. Flood waters frequently peeked at 30 inches causing considerable loss to those in the creek area. This dire situation continued until 1939 when the U.S. Congress-approved flood control project was completed., The Town of Collinsville was incorporated May 5, 1887. James C. Tiner was elected as the first mayor and James Coker, Therlin M. Fearing, T.G. Mackey, B.H. Nicholson and Bonner Heard as alderman.
Collinsville burned twice. On December 24, 1884, the Collinsville Depot, Hall-Mackey Store and other businesses were destroyed. Flames again swept the town on February 2, 1900, damaging and destroying businesses and homes including: B.A. Nowlin store (where the fire began), J.W. Collins Grocery, Morris & Morris Music House, The Oliver Hotel, Postmaster J.H. Collins residence, Halls Dry Goods Co., I.Q. Melton, Nicholson & McWhorter building, R.L. Wright, Jeweler, Boston Killian Furniture and Livery, J.L. Ford Harness and Shoemaker, J.E. Smith building, A.B. Tidmore building, G.W. Roberts Warehouse, R.A. Burt Livery, W.H. Appleton residence, Charles Roberts Groceries, G.W. Keener General Merchandise, J.W. Lackey building, W.A. Wilbanks General Merchandise, Collinsville Post Office, and Dr. J.A. Hall, Dentist. Collinsville rebuilt after both fires.
(Reverse):
Location was a major factor in mid-nineteenth century growth of Collinsville. The plush valley, once home of the Cherokee, was situated on a well established trade route from Rome to Gunters Landing and from Tuscaloosa to Rosss Landing. The Town suffered as it was inundated annually with flood waters from heavy rains that rushed down Lookout Mountain causing Little Wills Creek to overflow onto Main Street and into businesses and houses as well as Collinsville
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School. Flood waters frequently peeked at 30 inches causing considerable loss to those in the creek area. This dire situation continued until 1939 when the U.S. Congress-approved flood control project was completed.
The Town of Collinsville was incorporated May 5, 1887. James C. Tiner was elected as the first mayor and James Coker, Therlin M. Fearing, T.G. Mackey, B.H. Nicholson and Bonner Heard as alderman.
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Collinsville.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1867.
Location. 34° 15.82′ N, 85° 51.606′ W. Marker is in Collinsville, Alabama, in DeKalb County. It is on East Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Located near the former Alabama Great Southern tracks where they cross East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Collinsville AL 35961, 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 original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Leesburg (was approx. 8.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by David J Gaines, January 4, 2013
3. Fires and Floods Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2013, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,018 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 5, 2013, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
