Historical marker describes rich, interesting history of Peterman, Ala.

This week’s featured historical marker is the “PETERMAN, ALABAMA” marker located in Peterman, Alabama. This marker was erected in November 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Peterman.

This marker is located in “downtown” Peterman, on the east side of Old Peterman Highway, between Monroe County Road 30 and North Street. There’s text on both sides of this marker and what follows is the complete text that appears on the front and back.

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“PETERMAN, ALABAMA: The first settlers came to this area in 1815. Major Walker built a grist mill, and a log structure was built which served as a school and a religious meeting place for three different denominations. Settlers came to clear land and build log cabins. The Buford, Rikard, Rumbley, Andress, Smith, Biggs, Mosley, Chandler, Dees, Jackson, Nettles, Colgin, Helton, Roley, Daughette, Floyd, Falkenberry, Mason and Lewis families were among the early settlers. Several stores were built on the hill above the town known as ‘Buford’s’ for one of the store owners. In 1900, the railroad came through and the store owners decided to move their buildings down the hill to be near the railroad tracks. On moving day, with teams of oxen, the three or four store buildings were moved near the tracks. They resumed business and are still in use today (2008). (Continued on other side)

“(Continued from other side) A proper name was now needed for the rail stop, and ‘Peterman’ was selected in honor of Mr. Addison Peterman, a long-time employee of the railroad and agent at the Repton, Alabama depot. Peterman became a thriving community, boasting stores, doctor and dentist offices and a successful farm supplier/fertilizer manufacturer. The depot became the center of interest in Peterman. Meeting the trains to get the daily paper from Montgomery and to see who was arriving or departing was a favorite pastime.”

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For those of you unfamiliar with Peterman, today it’s a small unincorporated community north of Monroeville and south of Tunnel Springs in Monroe County, Ala. According to the 2010 census, only 89 people live there, but the community draws sizeable crowds each year during its popular Peterman Station Day Arts and Crafts Festival. The community also boasts its own post office, but its bank and grocery store have closed in recent years.

Arguably the community’s most famous resident is former Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs, who was probably the most powerful man in Monroe County during his long career as probate judge. Biggs, who is still living today, only retired after becoming too old to legally run again for the office of probate judge. He was first elected probate judge in 1970 and held the office up until just a few years ago.

In the end, visit this site next Wednesday to learn about another historical marker. I’m also taking suggestions from the reading audience, so if you know of an interesting historical marker that you’d like me to feature, let me know in the comments section below.