History · Colony

Colony’s history is
mostly unwritten

The public archives hold no old photos of Colony. The rest are in attics, shoeboxes and the historical society. Help start the collection.

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The story

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Colony most likely was originally established soon after the emancipation of enslaved people after the Civil War, during Reconstruction. It is believed that the original settlers of the town were most likely freed enslaved people from Baltimore, Alabama. It is the only African American community in Cullman County, which was founded in 1873, and was considered a safe haven for Black people at a time when other cities with white majorities were dangerous for Black people, and referred to as 'sundown' cities because after sundown Black people were in danger there. Those that originally settled there were given land as compensation for being slaves, with over 8,000 acres eventually cultivated as farm land.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Colony, decade by decade

Before
2000

No old photos in the archives yetWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.

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National Register of Historic Places

Nothing in Colony is on the National Register yet

That’s true of most small towns. It doesn’t mean Colony has no history, only that no one has written up a nomination. The closest listed place is Crane Hill Masonic Lodge in Dodge City, 13.5 miles away.