The Name Drawn From a Hat ~ Elba, Alabama

When I first told some people I had to go to Elba, they scoffed and said, "Have fun.  Ain't nothing there."  What I found there was much more than "nothing".  Not only did I find some great things to photograph, but Elba's history is very interesting.

For example, Elba was first named Bridgeville, then Bentonville, and soon after the citizens wanted a more suitable name for their "thriving community".  The name Elba was drawn from a hat after being entered by John Simmons (the postmaster).  You can click here to see what he was reading that influenced him to put "Elba" in the hat.  That name has stuck with the community since 1851.

On the main highway, just before you reach the "Elba sign" there is a Veteran's Memorial.

This small community has had its share of floods due to being in very close proximity to Pea River.

Evergreen Cemetery has a beautiful gazebo named "The Summer House" that was built in 1895.  The first grave was that of James Ham who was buried in 1858.  His wife, Susannah Mathews Ham is the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, Philip Mathews.  She is the only "Real Daughter" buried here and lies beside her husband.

The Methodist Church is considered the "mother church" of this town.  It is beautiful and the elogant stained glass windows are in honor of the Confederate soldiers of Coffee County.  Unfortunately, while I was there they were doing repairs to the streets surrounding the church and it was impossible to get many good photos of the church or its windows.  Hopefully, when it is time for me to go back I will be able to get some good photographs.

I was, however, able to get a decent "full" photo of this small church just out of town.  It is the Ham United Methodist Church.

I was also very taken with this home of James Folsom, a former Alabama Governor.

Right beside it was an old jail and I got permission from a nice woman at the Chamber of Commerce to walk through it...with the warning to "just be careful".  According to this woman, this jail was built in the early 1900s.  In 1979, Sheriff Grantham was murdered here.  The jail was closed and hence remains sitting here.  It has been used as a Haunted House during Halloween.

The courthouse (built in 1903) caught my attention and I was drawn to it time and time again.  I don't know if it is the architecture, the fountain, or the beauty of the day....but I really like these photos....

These are a few of the things that I found in a town that supposedly offers "nothing" and I'm sure when I have more time, I will find many more hidden treasures.