Bear Creek in Marion County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Factory Cemetery
Photographed by Touring Marion County, Alabama, 2016
1. Factory Cemetery Marker
1st Dated Stone 1877
Erected by Winston County Grays Camp 1788 and Order of Confederate Rose Chapter 18.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 34° 16.902′ N, 87° 43.313′ W. Marker is in Bear Creek, Alabama, in Marion County. It can be reached from Highway 172/241 0.1 miles north of Elliot Drive. About 0.1 mi from Elliot Drive traveling north, turn onto an unpaved road. The cemetery is about 0.1 mi on the left. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bear Creek AL 35543, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dismals (approx. 4.6 miles away); Haleyville Formed Along the Byler Road (approx. 6.8 miles away); Haleyville Ice Company (approx. 6.8 miles away); Benjamin Wallace Roden, M.D. (approx. 6.8 miles away); The Byler Road (approx. 6.8 miles away); City of Haleyville, Alabama (approx. 6.9 miles away); The Honorable Frank Minis Johnson, Jr. (approx. 6.9 miles away); First 9-1-1 Call (approx. 6.9 miles away).
More about this marker. The cemetery is unfenced and recently (May
this page online
Regarding Factory Cemetery. The gravestone for Second Lieut. David W. Alexander mentions that he belonged to the 16th Alabama Infantry. This regiment, assembled at Courtland, Alabama, in August, 1861, contained men from Russell, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Franklin, Cherokee, and Marion counties. The unit was ordered to Tennessee, then Kentucky where it fought at Fishing Creek under General Zollicoffer. Later it was assigned to General Wood's, Lowrey's, and Shelley's Brigade. After taking part in the Battle of Shiloh and Perryville, the 16th participated in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, moved with Hood to Tennessee, then saw action in North Carolina. In September, 1861, the regiment totalled 867 effectives. It sustained 168 casualties at Murfreesboro, and lost fifty-nine percent of the 414 engaged at Chickamauga. During December, 1863, there were 302 present for duty and 202 arms. It lost 150 killed and wounded at Jonesboro and half of its remaining force were disabled at Franklin and Nashville. On April 26, 1865, about 50 officers and men surrendered. Its commanding officers were Colonels Frederick A. Ashford, A.H. Helvenston, and William B. Wood; and Lieutenant Colonels John W. Harris, Joseph J. May, and John H. McGaughy. (Battle Unit Details,
Photographed by Touring Marion County, Alabama, May 1, 2016
2. Factory Cemetery Marker
The area was initially known as Allen's Factory due to a cotton processing factory here. It was burned in the latter years of the Civil War and rebuilt.
Additional commentary.
1. Factory Cemetery Inquiry
Are there any other graves that are identified other than the ones that are marked? I have reason to believe that my grandfather, John Howard Bull had a sister that was buried in this cemetery. I can recall visiting a grave in that area that had 4 post with a chain around it. If memory serves it was John Howard's sister.
— Submitted December 15, 2025, by Rex S Bull of Winchester, Tennessee.
Photographed by Touring Marion County, Alabama, 2016
3. Factory Cemetery Marker
Photographed by Touring Marion County, Alabama, May 1, 2016
4. 2nd Lieut David W. Alexander gravestone
16 Ala Inf
CSA
Feb 1 1840
Mar 7 1882
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2,884 times since then and 174 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
