5 minute read
The Railroad
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collector, a justice of the peace and a constable.
A historical marker for the Town of Youngsville placed in 1993 by the Alabama Historical Association details the early years of the budding town:
“Following the Creek Cession in 1832, settlers, mostly from Georgia and the Carolinas, occupied this section of the former Creek Nation. Among the first settlers was James Young who purchased land a half-mile west near a trading post called Georgia Store. Community life can be dated from 1837 when Griffin Young opened a post office in his store and eight men and women, ‘The Baptist brethren settlers of Youngsville’ organized Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church. The store and the church were within view of this site. For the first thirtyfive years of its existence, Youngsville was a country hamlet of scattered farms, a store-post office and a church. The Civil Ware delayed the construction of the railroad, an ambitious plan by Griffin Young to promote a ‘town’ on his property. Anticipating the arrival of the railroad, the Town of Youngsville was incorporated in 1872 and, the next year, the town’s name was changed to Alexander City in honor of the president E.P. Alexander of the Savannah and Memphis Railroad.”
Submitted photo The Train Depot has had a few different homes over the last 150 years. This photo taken in the 1940s shows the Depot behind Carlisle Drug Store.
The Railroad
The installation of the Savannah and Memphis Railroad in 1874 was especially helpful for the gold mines nearby, like Hog Mountain. The trains brought miners and prospectors to the ever-growing city throughout the 1800s.
Before the tracks were laid through the middle of the town, the decision was made to rename Youngsville to Alexander City, as a tribute to General Edward Porter Alexander, who was president of the railroad at that time.
A historical marker sits downtown, near the tracks running parallel to Jefferson Street. The marker reads: “The transformation of Youngsville from a country hamlet to a market town can be traced from the arrival of the railroad. The Savannah and Memphis Railroad was completed from Opelika to the east side of the Tallapoosa River at Sturdivant in 1872. Anticipating the extension of the railroad to Youngsville, the grateful citizens in 1873 changed the village’s name to Alexander City
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in honor of Edward Porter Alexander, president of the S&M. On June 24, 1874, an excursion train pulled by an engine christened Simon Suggs steamed into Alexander City bringing dignitaries and visitors who joined thousands of residents to celebrate the inauguration of rail service. A passenger-freight depot erected in 1874 and rebuilt after the 1902 fire stood on the opposite side of the railroad from this site until relocated to Court Square in 1955.”
According to Kelley’s writings, the Savannah and Memphis Railroad advertised its timetable showing Alexander City as the only place between Opelika and Goodwater with a stop for breakfast and supper.
The original depot burned in the 1902 fire that burned much of downtown.
“Everything was burning; the depot, the box cars on the tracks, the tracks, the livery stables…” writes Kelley.
The more than 100 yards of damaged railroad tracks were replaced in about three hours, according to reports. The railroad agent at that time, E.A. Jackson, with the help of his assistants, quickly established telegraph communication under a shade tree so the city could keep in contact with surrounding areas and request help.
The railroad brought all sorts of people through the area. Including the 27th United States President William Howard Taft, the first and only president recorded to visit the city.
President Taft visited the city on November 3, 1909. Taft made a speech, only about three minutes long, that was about “ordinary affairs,” according to records on the subject.
“Everybody knew that the Presidential train was passing through, but until about an hour before its arrival, they did not suppose it would stop,” writes Kelley.
In the 1950s the city built a new glass and brick railway depot at the northwest corner of Court Square. The railroad soon came under the control of Southern Railway System. Alexander City resident Sim S. Wilbanks was vice president of Southern Railway System.
Submitted photo The Train Depot has had a few different homes over the last 150 years. This photo taken around the early 1900s shows travellers waiting for trains at the Depot in Alexander City.
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