This is evidently a school project that was found at First Baptist Church of Reeltown. It is an interesting read and a good source of the history of Reeltown. We would like this page to be as accurate as possible, if you have information that should be added or corrected please let us know. It would also be helpful if anyone could add the history from 1935 to the present. Please email us with your information or corrections.
History of Reeltown, Alabama
Written by Roland King, Reeltown High School
January 4, 1935
Reeltown is located on the Dadeville and Tallassee Highway. The junction of the Notasulga highway and the crossing of the old Notasulga road that leads to the Bluff helps to make this a desirable community center.
About 1814 this country was covered with original pines, except for a few dwellings at the cross roads. Patrick Reel and Dukes were the first merchants. Reel’s store was located in the southwest corner at the cross roads and in the opposite corner was Duke’s store. Across the road from Mr. Reel’s store was Joe Huey’s barroom. There are not any of the old settlement houses now, only a few traces as old tree stumps and wells.
Mr. Reel was not only the first merchant of Reeltown, but he established a post office here, which was given his name, and the place became known as Reeltown.
The Indians lived along the creek that flows north and west of Reeltown. The creek is named Saugahatchee, an Indian name. One can find the bones and arrowheads now scattered over the hills and along the creek.
Mr. Thaddeus T. Webster was the successor to Mr. Reel’s store and post office. Mail was supposed to be received once a week, but sometimes it was delayed for weeks and months. In 1880 Mr Thaddeus Webster obtained a charter for the post office, and the place was called Thaddeus and was put on the map. Then the people began getting their mail, which was mainly due to better roads.
The school was known as the Plat school. It was situated a mile out on the west road from the cross roads. It is said that the benches were made of split logs without a back. A better school was built in the late 90’s and it was moved to the place where the club house now stands.
A church was not built until 1882. It had not been built long when a cyclone came and blew it away. Another church was built but it was not very substantial. The next one built is still standing. It was called Mt. Pleasant, but in 1930 it was changed to Reeltown Baptist Church.
The first gin was run by horse power and was built about two miles down the Notasulga Road by a man named Merchant.
There were two typical old Southern Plantations in the town. One was the Winningham plantation and the other was owned by Mr. Merchant.
Mr. Meadows and Mr. Smith established a grist and wheat mill on the creek. Later there was a saw mill built. They were run using water power.
In the 1890’s Mr. A. J. Weldon added another store. He did not stay in business long before he sold to Mr. Buck Johnson, who carried on a thriving business until his death, after which the store passed into the hands of Mr. Neighbors. Mr. May followed him but soon died of tuberculosis. At this time Jonny Newman came to Reeltown and became a merchant. He went into bankruptcy in two or three years. Mr. Jack Newman purchased Mr. Jessie Newman’s stock and is still in business.
Dr. Willis Johnson followed Br. Smith as the medical doctor of Reeltown. Dr. A. J. Sanders moved here and became the only doctor. He later moved to Notasulga.
Mr. W.R. Johnson in 1910 added a drug store to Reeltown, which was a great addition to the town. Mr. Marge Carroll ran a blacksmith shop at the time, and Mr. Jessie Fuller erected the first automobile garage about fifteen years later.
In the year 1931, C.A. Lynn again resumed the work of a merchant. He was in partnership with Pattillo, but shortly after he became the sole owner of the place. He now has a very promising trade in taking and delivering orders.
The old water mill and covered bridge north of Reeltown was a very picturesque scene until 1932, when the bridge burned. A temporary bridge was constructed below the dam, and served the public until the present modern bridge was built.
In the year 1918, Mr. Crawford Webster added a grist mill just in the back of the garage. The mill now belongs to Mr. King. During this time another grist mill was erected by Mr. Phillips. In 1932 Dewitt Barnes built a small storehouse and put in a stock of goods and a filling station. Reeltown is now composed of four stores of general merchandise, two grist mills, one blacksmith, one garage, four filling stations, and nice school building and a church.
The following is an article from the Auburn Opelika News, March 15, 1987
