Prattville Academy Site - Prattville, AL
Posted by: 
xptwo
N 32° 27.808 W 086° 28.114
16S E 549942 N 3591933
When Daniel Pratt bought property to begin making cotton gins by the Autauga River, he wound up creating an entire town. The school was part of his efforts to help the community.
Waymark Code: WMFWQD
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 12/09/2012
Views: 8
The town of Prattville was small, but Daniel Pratt wanted it to rival northern towns in his native New Hampshire. According to the Chamber of Commerce web site,
"Pratt once stated that his objective was, "...to give employment to as many operatives as means can justify, and to furnish them with educational and religious advantages." He was a man of his word. He built small, comfortable homes for his workers and provided them with gardens so that they could grow their own food. He built a Methodist church building at a personal cost of $20,000.00 and was responsible for the 1859 construction of the Prattville Male and Female Academy." source: (
visit link)
The text of the marker reads:
Prattville Male and Female Academy Site
The 1859 Italianate-style brick structure was built by Daniel Pratt. The bell which hung in the belfry above the second floor now may be seen in the school yard on Washington Street. In April 1861 the Prattville Dragoons mustered here before departing for encampment and were presented a silk flag by the young women of the Academy.
In 1927 the original building was replaced by the present structure, one of several in Alabama built on the same plan. The architect is unknown but the design has been attributed to Frank Lockwood.
Daniel Pratt Historic District
Marker Placed by Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority for City of Prattville
Alabama Historical Association
1997