| History of Webb, Alabama |
Benjamin Franklin Webb and Susanna Fountain Webb
As the American Civil War began to wind down, the United States Government wanted the southern states to be settled just as quickly as they
could. The Indians were being driven out, and discouraged from putting up a fight. Cotton was in demand and the soil in Alabama (sandy Loam) was
considered to be ideal for most types of crops. To entice settlers to come to Alabama, the government advertised the availability of cheap land at
about $1.00 or $2.00 per acre, if purchased in sizeable numbers. Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Webb was one of the people who answered the call. He
lived in North Carolina at the time, and his hometown of Kinston had been devastated by the war. When the war broke out, he was just under 15
years old.
It is not known exactly when he came to Alabama, but he built the first house in what's now Webb, Alabama in the year 1890. It was a simple wooden
frame structure. Soon, he was joined by three other families; J.D. Worrell, C.V. Miller, and I. W. Brackin. And, more families continued to arrive and
build homes. Later, in 1899, the Central of Georgia Railroad was building its road through Webb's Plantation. He negotiated with the railroad, and
they built a depot in the center of the little settlement after Frank Webb deeded just over 23 acres to the railroad. In the year 1900, railroad service
through the town began. Just prior to incorporation, mail service to the settlement had begun on June 8, 1900. The first postmaster was Vander L.
Webb, son of Frank Webb.
Later, on October 31, 1903, the residents of the little settlement voted to incorporate the four mile square settlement. Streets were laid out, and the
town was named after its founder, "Webb". Soon, J.D. Worrell built the first store in town, and Vander Webb also built a store. It had become
apparent that the little town would grow, so Frank Webb, laid out one-acre lots for homes. He sold them for about $15.00 each, as new residents
kept moving to the new town. Some of the other early residents were, N.D. Antley, L.A. Kirkland, A.B. Radney, W. Ragan, C.J. Gamble, W.W. Snead,
Lindon Kirkland, J.F. Adams, O.W. Brackin, L.M. Armstrong, B.E. Cox, W.H. Lawton, D.R. Miller, M. Nall, A.J. Barefield, C.L. Brackin, J.D. Milton, T.J.
Clemons, E.S. Radney, T.W. Roberson, F.M. Kinght, C.A. Stanton, J.N. Christian, W.P. Hooten, R. S. Brown, Jr., J.M. Blissett, W.J. Mimes, J.A.
Richardon, V.H. Brown, E.D. Brackin, E.L. Brackin, N.C. Vickers, C.V. Webb, S.M. Knowles, T. N. Roberson, O.E. Davis, A.D. Brackin, A. Nichols, Oscar
Howard, E.L. Johnson, W.M. Arnold, G. W. Arnold, Isaac Brackin, H.E. Buckhalt, J.J. Buckhalt, J.H. White, W.C. Webb, J.S. bennett, J.A. Mills, and J.M.
Campbell.
In 1903, a young son of William Cas Webb died and the town had no place to bury the child. Frank Webb stepped up again, and donated a one-acre
cornfield for use as a cemetery. The corn from cleared from the land and the child was buried. That acre of land is now known as Webb Cemetery.
And, many of the people named thus far are sleep the long sleep in that hallowed place.
In 1909, the first school was constructed, and consisted of four rooms. That building burned down in 1930, leading to the construction of a
permanent school, now known as Webb School. The town of Webb continued to grow, and reached its peak in approximately 1918 to 1920. And, at
one time there were over 16 businesses, to include drug stores, doctors offices, and a barber shop. The town remained viable, even though
passenger train service ended in the 1950s, and the depot reportedly burned down. The area where the depot stood is now a park.
could. The Indians were being driven out, and discouraged from putting up a fight. Cotton was in demand and the soil in Alabama (sandy Loam) was
considered to be ideal for most types of crops. To entice settlers to come to Alabama, the government advertised the availability of cheap land at
about $1.00 or $2.00 per acre, if purchased in sizeable numbers. Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Webb was one of the people who answered the call. He
lived in North Carolina at the time, and his hometown of Kinston had been devastated by the war. When the war broke out, he was just under 15
years old.
It is not known exactly when he came to Alabama, but he built the first house in what's now Webb, Alabama in the year 1890. It was a simple wooden
frame structure. Soon, he was joined by three other families; J.D. Worrell, C.V. Miller, and I. W. Brackin. And, more families continued to arrive and
build homes. Later, in 1899, the Central of Georgia Railroad was building its road through Webb's Plantation. He negotiated with the railroad, and
they built a depot in the center of the little settlement after Frank Webb deeded just over 23 acres to the railroad. In the year 1900, railroad service
through the town began. Just prior to incorporation, mail service to the settlement had begun on June 8, 1900. The first postmaster was Vander L.
Webb, son of Frank Webb.
Later, on October 31, 1903, the residents of the little settlement voted to incorporate the four mile square settlement. Streets were laid out, and the
town was named after its founder, "Webb". Soon, J.D. Worrell built the first store in town, and Vander Webb also built a store. It had become
apparent that the little town would grow, so Frank Webb, laid out one-acre lots for homes. He sold them for about $15.00 each, as new residents
kept moving to the new town. Some of the other early residents were, N.D. Antley, L.A. Kirkland, A.B. Radney, W. Ragan, C.J. Gamble, W.W. Snead,
Lindon Kirkland, J.F. Adams, O.W. Brackin, L.M. Armstrong, B.E. Cox, W.H. Lawton, D.R. Miller, M. Nall, A.J. Barefield, C.L. Brackin, J.D. Milton, T.J.
Clemons, E.S. Radney, T.W. Roberson, F.M. Kinght, C.A. Stanton, J.N. Christian, W.P. Hooten, R. S. Brown, Jr., J.M. Blissett, W.J. Mimes, J.A.
Richardon, V.H. Brown, E.D. Brackin, E.L. Brackin, N.C. Vickers, C.V. Webb, S.M. Knowles, T. N. Roberson, O.E. Davis, A.D. Brackin, A. Nichols, Oscar
Howard, E.L. Johnson, W.M. Arnold, G. W. Arnold, Isaac Brackin, H.E. Buckhalt, J.J. Buckhalt, J.H. White, W.C. Webb, J.S. bennett, J.A. Mills, and J.M.
Campbell.
In 1903, a young son of William Cas Webb died and the town had no place to bury the child. Frank Webb stepped up again, and donated a one-acre
cornfield for use as a cemetery. The corn from cleared from the land and the child was buried. That acre of land is now known as Webb Cemetery.
And, many of the people named thus far are sleep the long sleep in that hallowed place.
In 1909, the first school was constructed, and consisted of four rooms. That building burned down in 1930, leading to the construction of a
permanent school, now known as Webb School. The town of Webb continued to grow, and reached its peak in approximately 1918 to 1920. And, at
one time there were over 16 businesses, to include drug stores, doctors offices, and a barber shop. The town remained viable, even though
passenger train service ended in the 1950s, and the depot reportedly burned down. The area where the depot stood is now a park.
Vintage Central of Georgia Locomotive
on a run through Webb, Alabama in 1976
on a run through Webb, Alabama in 1976
How a locomotive works
Train Depot in Dothan, Alabama. Train ran between
Dothan and Webb, Alabama daily on a set schedule.
Dothan and Webb, Alabama daily on a set schedule.
W.C. Webb, Mayor of Webb,
Alabama from 1930-1956
Alabama from 1930-1956
This hand-operated water pump is at the
exact center of the town. In the late
1800s, the settlers would pump water
into a wooden trough for their livestock
to drink from.
exact center of the town. In the late
1800s, the settlers would pump water
into a wooden trough for their livestock
to drink from.
Former town store. J.C. Peeples was the
owner, and proprietor. During the day,
older gentlemen in the town would sit at
a table under the porch and play
dominoes.
owner, and proprietor. During the day,
older gentlemen in the town would sit at
a table under the porch and play
dominoes.
This was the residence of W.C., and
Cora Webb, as well as other Webb family
members from the early 1900s until 1994.
Cora Webb, as well as other Webb family
members from the early 1900s until 1994.
Cora Webb
Wife of W. C. Webb
Wife of W. C. Webb
Early settlers loading watermelons onto the train at Webb, Alabama
Former Home of Vander Webb, Son
of B.F. Webb.
of B.F. Webb.
Former Home of The Radney Family
Former Home of Brackin Family
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First Mayor of Webb, Alabama
Isaac Brackin
Isaac Brackin
Photo of W. P Thomas' gas station from back in the
day. It was located on the Columbia highway East
of Webb, Alabama between Webb and Columbia.
day. It was located on the Columbia highway East
of Webb, Alabama between Webb and Columbia.
Shelby Thomas Grocery Store in Webb, Alabama (Circa 1952).
Downtown Webb, Alabama, year unknown. 1900-1910?
The Thomas Family Home
William Henry and Lucy Jane Thomas.
Parents of Shelby Thomas.
Parents of Shelby Thomas.
The Thomas Family
Shelby Thomas and his New Car
Willie Worrell and his wife Don
placing flowers in the Webb
Baptist church on December 24,
1955.
placing flowers in the Webb
Baptist church on December 24,
1955.
Tyler's Grocery Store, Webb, Alabama 1946
Left to Right in Photo are Erin Tyler, Levi Tyler, Johnny Cochran, and Mr. Neeley.
Left to Right in Photo are Erin Tyler, Levi Tyler, Johnny Cochran, and Mr. Neeley.