Balkum, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Balkum, Alabama
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 Balkum, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Balkum, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Henry |
| Elevation | 377 ft (115 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 334 |
| GNIS feature ID | 113416 |
Balkum is a small place in Henry County, Alabama, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city. It doesn't have its own local government, like a mayor or city council. Instead, it's managed by the county government.
Contents
Exploring Balkum's Past
Balkum has a rich history, dating back to the late 1800s. It was once a busy little settlement.
How Balkum Got Its Name
Balkum was named after a person! A man named James Whitfield Balkum settled in this area in 1870. People decided to name the community after him.
Early Buildings and Community Life
In 1887, two important churches were built in Balkum. These were the Balkum Baptist Church and the Balkum Methodist Church. Churches were often the center of community life back then.
Right next to the Balkum Baptist Church, you can find the Balkum Cemetery. This is where many of the early settlers and their families were laid to rest.
There was also a schoolhouse in Balkum. It was located north of the cemetery. This school helped educate the children of the community for many years. However, it closed its doors in 1910.
The Balkum Post Office
For a while, Balkum even had its own post office! It opened in 1883 and helped people send and receive mail. But the post office closed in 1903. After it closed, many of the businesses in Balkum moved to a nearby community called Tumbleton. This meant Tumbleton became the new center for activity in the area.
