Burnt Corn, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Burnt Corn, Alabama
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Former Lowrey's General Store and Post Office
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 Burnt Corn, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Burnt Corn, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Monroe |
| Elevation | 427 ft (130 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-6 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
36401
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| Area code(s) | 251 |
| GNIS feature ID | 115265 |
Burnt Corn is a small, unincorporated community in Alabama, United States. It is located where Monroe County and Conecuh County meet. This historic place is known for its interesting name and its location near the start of Burnt Corn Creek. It also sits at the meeting point of two very old trading paths.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Burnt Corn Got Its Name
The name "Burnt Corn" is quite unique! One idea is that it came from an event where travelers found a pile of parched, or dried, corn. This type of corn was often carried by Creek Indians when they traveled.
Another story, passed down through families in Burnt Corn, says the name came from a sad time. During the Creek War in the early 1800s, corn fields were burned as part of a "scorched earth" strategy. This means everything was destroyed to prevent enemies from using it.
Early Days and Important Roads
In 1798, the area where Burnt Corn is now was part of the Mississippi Territory. However, the Creek Nation still controlled the land. Between 1805 and 1811, Burnt Corn became a stop along the Federal Road. This was an important route that went through the Creek Nation's lands.
Burnt Corn was a regular stopping point for stage coaches. These coaches carried people and goods between the eastern parts of the country and the port cities along the Gulf Coast.
The Creek War and Land Changes
A famous event called the Battle of Burnt Corn happened in July 1813. This battle was part of the larger Creek War. Interestingly, the battle did not take place in the community of Burnt Corn itself. Instead, it happened at a crossing point of Burnt Corn Creek, further south in what is now Escambia County, Alabama.
After the Creek War, in 1815, the Creek Nation had to give up some of their land to the United States. Burnt Corn Spring was part of a 640-acre land grant. This grant was given to Jim Cornells, a Creek Indian who had fought alongside the U.S. during the war.
Post Office and Local Buildings
The United States postal service started in Burnt Corn in 1817. Around this time, the village also became part of the new Alabama Territory. The local post office served the community for many years. However, it closed in 2002, and its ZIP code, 36431, was no longer used.
Today, some of the old buildings in Burnt Corn still stand. These include the Lowrey General Store, where the post office used to be. There is also a Masonic lodge and the Duck Waters Barber Shop. These buildings offer a glimpse into the community's past.
