|
 Belle Ellen - West Blocton, AL
N 33° 06.948 W 087° 04.981
16S E 492255 N 3664127
The mining town of Belle Ellen was named for Henry F. DeBardeleben's daughter, Belle, and wife, Ellen. DeBardeleben was a noted industrialist of the era.
Waymark Code: WMKB79
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 03/13/2014
Views: 5
The Belle Ellen historical marker is a Cahaba Trace Commission metal marker. It has suffered the indignity of five bullet holes. The marker is located on Bibb County Road 24 east of West Blocton. It was placed by Former Residents of Belle Ellen & The Cahaba Trace Commission.
Marker Name: Belle Ellen
Marker Type: Rural Roadside
Addtional Information::
Marker text:
One and a half miles northeast of here, the mining town of Belle Ellen was established by the Bessemer Coal, Iron and Land Company in the fall of 1895 and named for Henry F. DeBardeleben's daughter, Belle, and wife, Ellen. DeBardeleben was a noted industrialist of the era and principal stockholder in the company.
During its existence, several mines were opened at Belle Ellen. The Welsh mining engineer, Llewellyn Johns, was an early superintendent. The Number Two mine was operated with convict labor from 1908-1925. The last mine closed in 1950. In its heyday, circa 1912, the Belle Ellen population reached 1,500 with 409 workers at three mines. The railroad served as the principal mode of transportation. The town contained fraternal lodges, Baptist and Methodist churches, a commissary, post office (1903-1953), barber shop, depot and public schools for both races. The company sponsored a baseball team and brass band and provided a community physician. The last families left the area in the mid 1950s.
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2000
Marker Number: None
|
Visit Instructions:
Please post a photo of you OR your GPS at the marker location. Also if you know of any additional links not already mentioned about this bit of Alabama history please include that in your log.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|
|