Half Acre, Alabama

History

Half Acre was originally known as Beaver Creek and was settled in the 1830s. By 1870 it had a post office, three general stores, a cotton gin, a cotton seed-oil press, grist mill, saw mill, brick kiln, hotel, and livery stables.

The tradition of how the Half Acre name originated holds that a half-acre piece of property in the community, at a crossroads next door to the hotel, had been overlooked in the original survey. County land records indicate that when the small piece of property was discovered to not be surveyed, it was deeded to "The Devil" and then became known as Hell's Half Acre. A saloon was eventually built there, only to later burn down. The title to the property was not clarified until the community wanted to build a church on the site of the former saloon, at which time the probate court transferred ownership from "The Devil" to the Half Acre Community Church. The "Hell's" was dropped from the name at this time and the entire community came to be known simply as Half Acre. The population of the community began to relocate elsewhere after World War II and today it is home to only the church and a few residences.

Geography

Half Acre is situated above Beaver Creek, about 4 mi east of the Tombigbee River. It is located at and has an elevation of 115 ft.

References

References

1. {{Gnis. 156444. Half Acre
2. {{Gnis. 168661. Half Acre Post Office (Historical)
3. Jones, Joel D.. (12 October 2006). "Settlers establish Vineland, Surginer, Moore's Valley". The Democrat-Reporter.
4. Marengo County Heritage Book Committee. (2000). "The heritage of Marengo County, Alabama". Heritage Publishing Consultants.
5. Harris, Stuart. (1984). "Alabama place names". University of Alabama Press.