JUST UP THE ROAD HISTORY OF ELKMONT
Submitted by Gary Compton
Whenever we think about pioneer days, we often think how much simpler it was and wish we could have lived back then. Contrary to those thoughts, life was hard then. Each day was a challenge, not knowing where that next meal would come from. Your daily decisions could mean you would live or die.
In the early summer of 1817, Levi Simms and his family arrived at a small stream west of what is now known as Elkmont. This area of Alabama had been prime hunting ground of the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians. The area was heavily wooded and was considered wilderness. The United States was in the process of purchasing the northwestern part of Alabama from these two Indian Nations.
The Elk River was the western boundary that separated the young United States from the Indian territories. Fort Hampton was located down the Elk River about 25 miles southwest. The fort’s mission was to prevent settlers from crossing the river into Indian territory as well as prevent the tribes from crossing back. It had been decided that the differences in culture would never allow the two groups to live together in peace.
The rest of the story about the Simm's community (later became Elkmont) can be found under the history label to the right of the blog. When you get to the bottom of the viewable posts, click on older posts for the beginning of this story.
Residents use 1858 as the establishment of Elkmont because that is when the railroad was completed through Limestone County.
As the War
Between the States raged, Elkmont found
itself in the middle of it when in September 1864, the Battle of Sulphur Creek
Trestle took place. It
cut a crucial Union supply line and was a victory for the Confederate forces
under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. The engagement over the railroad bridge was
the bloodiest to take place in north Alabama.
For More Information: Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle
The
September 1864 Civil War Battle of Sulphur Trestle, in Limestone
County, cut a crucial Union supply line and was a victory for the
Confederate forces under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. The engagement
over the railroad bridge was the bloodiest to take place in north
Alabama. - See more at:
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2420#sthash.d9VyFGpb.dpuf
 |
| Trestle before it was burned |
The
September 1864 Civil War Battle of Sulphur Trestle, in Limestone
County, cut a crucial Union supply line and was a victory for the
Confederate forces under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. The engagement
over the railroad bridge was the bloodiest to take place in north
Alabama. - See more at:
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2420#sthash.7xiNrxth.dpuf
The
September 1864 Civil War Battle of Sulphur Trestle, in Limestone
County, cut a crucial Union supply line and was a victory for the
Confederate forces under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. The engagement
over the railroad bridge was the bloodiest to take place in north
Alabama. - See more at:
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2420#sthash.7xiNrxth.dpuf
The gap that the trestle
spanned was later filled in with dirt, and the railroad bed is now part of the
Richard Martin Trail that runs from Veto towards Athens.
Some of the other significant events in Elkmont’s history are:
• 1874, W.R. Hanserd starts the first school
• 1885, Methodist Church moves from New Garden
• 1905, W.B. Vaughn opens first bank
• 1907, Fred Gray opens mercantile store
• 1907, Citizens Bank opens
• 1907, cotton warehouse opens
• 1912, school opens at Hilltop
• 1929, electric lights come to downtown
Elkmont has retained its small community character thru the years. Many work in the surrounding towns but their hearts belong to the "Hilltop".
