Daviston in Tallapoosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Daviston, Alabama / Daviston School
Photographed By David J Gaines, January 29, 2016
1. Daviston, Alabama (side 1)
Inscription.
Daviston, Alabama, also, Daviston School. .
Daviston, Alabama. Daviston, incorporated February 16, 1887, is believed to be the first incorporated rural town in Tallapoosa County. The first mayor was J.D. Dunn. Daviston was a natural evolution of the opening of Indian lands in 1832. Much of the Federal Horse Path was within Creek Indian lands. With construction of Chapman Road from West Point, Georgia to Fort Williams, Alabama on the Coosa River, land areas opened to white settlement. Daviston flourished with improved roads and became a hub of migration. It had grist and saw mills, a blacksmith shop, buggy shop, coffin shop, general mercantile, public well, federal distillery, six saloons or inns, pharmacy and doctors. The first land deed found was dated in 1836 to S.W. Monk. The post office was established in 1853 with John Davis as the first postmaster. The story told over the years is that he used his own name for the town name. When he submitted the name to the government, due to poor penmanship or a mistake, "Davis Town" became Daviston and has since remained.,
Daviston School. In 1883, Walker Allen and his twin, Walter, moved to Daviston. Walker Allen was elected principal of Daviston School. In 1884, a wooden two-story building was started on land given by J.T. Moncus to be called Daviston College. It became a high school around 1912. This building burned in 1923. Another building was built and burned before being used. A third building was constructed in 1923 and received accreditation that year. Lillie Thompson, who graduated in 1916, was the first graduate of Daviston High School. The school closed in 1988. At the time of closing, it was the smallest school in Alabama with 120 K-12 students. Thirty-eight principals served from 1883-1988. For 105 years, Daviston School served as the center of the community. In 1998, a committee formed to initiate a Daviston School Reunion to be held annually in the center of the town on the second Saturday of November.
Daviston, Alabama
Daviston, incorporated February 16, 1887, is believed to be the first incorporated rural town in Tallapoosa County. The first mayor was J.D. Dunn. Daviston was a natural evolution of the opening of Indian lands in 1832. Much of the Federal Horse Path was within Creek Indian lands. With construction of Chapman Road from West Point, Georgia to Fort Williams, Alabama on the Coosa River, land areas opened to white settlement. Daviston flourished with improved roads and became a hub of migration. It had grist and saw mills, a blacksmith shop, buggy shop, coffin shop, general mercantile, public well, federal distillery, six saloons or inns, pharmacy and doctors. The first land deed found was dated in 1836 to S.W. Monk.
The post office was established in 1853 with John Davis as the first postmaster. The story told over the years is that he used his own name for the town name. When he submitted the name to the government, due to poor penmanship or a mistake, "Davis Town" became Daviston and has since remained.
Daviston School
In 1883, Walker Allen and his twin, Walter, moved to Daviston. Walker Allen was elected principal of Daviston School. In 1884, a wooden two-story building was started on land given by J.T. Moncus to be called Daviston College. It became
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a high school around 1912.
This building burned in 1923. Another building was built and burned before being used. A third building was constructed in 1923 and received accreditation that year. Lillie Thompson, who graduated in 1916, was the first graduate of Daviston High School.
The school closed in 1988. At the time of closing, it was the smallest school in Alabama with 120 K-12 students. Thirty-eight principals served from 1883-1988. For 105 years, Daviston School served as the center of the community. In 1998, a committee formed to initiate a Daviston School Reunion to be held annually in the center of the town on the second Saturday of November.
Erected 2010 by Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Daviston.
Location. 33° 3.161′ N, 85° 38.457′ W. Marker is in Daviston, Alabama, in Tallapoosa County. Marker is on Alabama Route 22 east of Drake Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Daviston AL 36256, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Town of Wadley (approx. 6˝ miles away); Louina (approx. 6.6 miles away); Horseshoe Bend Campaign Combatants
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2016, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 664 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 7, 2016, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear photo of Daviston School side of marker. • Can you help?
