Wadley in Randolph County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Louina

Photographed by David J Gaines, January 29, 2016

1. Louina Marker

Inscription. One mile north, on the east bank of the Tallapoosa River, was located Louina, named for an Indian woman who operated a trading post. Settled in 1834, it became chief business center in Randolph County with the county’s first newspaper, schools for boys and girls, Baptist and Methodist Churches, Masonic Lodge, grist mill, wool factory and cotton gin. Company of Confederate soldiers organized here August 1, 1861. Last store closed 1902 and post office moved eastward to Concord and named Viola. Among outstanding descendants from Louina’s settlers was U.S. Senator J. Tom Heflin.

Erected by Randolph County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 33° 7.043′ N, 85° 33.505′ W. Marker is in Wadley, Alabama, in Randolph County. It is at the intersection of Alabama Route 22 and County Road 33, on the left when traveling east on Alabama Route 22. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wadley AL 36276, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Town of Wadley (approx. half a mile away); Daviston, Alabama / Daviston School (approx. 6.6 miles away); The Martin Theatre

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(approx. 10.9 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 11 miles away); Randolph County Training School (approx. 11½ miles away); Clark Funeral Home (approx. 11.6 miles away); Horseshoe Bend Campaign Combatants (approx. 13.9 miles away); A Bloody Contest (approx. 13.9 miles away).

Other markers no longer nearby. Roanoke Doll Factory (was approx. 11.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Tecumseh and the Prophets (was approx. 13.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. Famous Louina Resident
Robert Stell Heflin. Representative to Alabama Legislature. R.S. Heflin was the first Republican elected to the U.S. Congress in 1868 from the 3rd Congressional District of Alabama.
His brother, Tom Heflin, was a wealthy land owner in 1862 and put together the Thomas Heflin Raiders Company comprised of men from Randolph, Chambers and Clay County Alabama. His son, Cotton Tom Heflin, was one of the U.S. Senators from Alabama after reconstruction. And Cotton Tom's Nephew, Howell Heflin, was a U.S. Senator from Alabama and was chairman of the Watergate Investigation during the Presidency of Richard Nixon.

Photographed by David J Gaines, January 29, 2016

2. Louina Marker

— Submitted July 10, 2022, by James Camp of Dadeville, Alabama.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2016, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,399 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2016, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.