New Market, Alabama

History

In the early 19th century, several persons from Tennessee explored the area just across the border in what eventually became Madison County in Alabama. Isaac and Joseph Criner also explored the area and, in 1804, settled in the northern part near what is now called the Mountain Fork of the Flint River. George Smith, landowner of the town site, built the first log house and established a mercantile business in 1814. John Miller excavated a millrace and erected a gristmill and sawmill in 1819. Later settlers gave the name "New Market" to the community. The voting precinct was established in 1827. The post office opened the same year.

On January 30, 1966, the coldest temperature ever to be recorded in Alabama was registered in New Market, at −27 °F or −32.8 °C.

Four sites in New Market are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the New Market Historic District, New Market Presbyterian Church, New Market United Methodist Church, and the Whitman-Cobb House. New Market is also home to the Mount Paran Cemetery, a historic cemetery recognized by the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and home to the graves of New Market pioneers including Isaac Criner and John Miller.

From the History section of New Market, Alabama on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.