Buzzard Roost, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buzzard Roost, Alabama
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Buzzard Roost Spring
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 Buzzard Roost, Alabama
Location in Alabama
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Colbert |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 12 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 256 |
Buzzard Roost is a small place in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. It is called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Long ago, in the 1850s, Buzzard Roost had a post office. Today, that post office is no longer there.
Contents
Where is Buzzard Roost?
Buzzard Roost is easy to find on a map. It is located about three miles west of a town called Cherokee. You can reach it by following U.S. Route 72, which is a main road in the area.
The History of Buzzard Roost
Buzzard Roost has a long and interesting past. It has been known by different names and was an important spot for travelers.
How Buzzard Roost Got Its Name
The name "Buzzard Roost" comes from a very old map. In 1772, a map made by Bernard Romans showed a place called "Chickianooe." This name was likely a mistake for a Choctaw word. The real Choctaw word, "Skeki anusi," meant "Buzzards there sleep." This tells us that buzzards probably gathered and rested in this area a long time ago.
Levi Colbert and the Name Change
In 1801, a very important Chickasaw leader named Levi Colbert built his home and an inn in Buzzard Roost. He ran this inn with his family, offering a place for travelers to stay. Levi Colbert is given credit for changing the name from "Buzzard Sleep" to "Buzzard Roost." His story is even featured in an exhibit along the Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic route.
Old Buildings and Railroads
In the 1840s, a man named Armstead Barton built a large house called Barton Hall. This house was also known as the Cunningham Plantation. It was a grand home built before the American Civil War.
Buzzard Roost was also an important stop for trains. It was located on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad line. Trains would stop here on their journey between Iuka, Mississippi, and Cherokee Station, Alabama.
The Covered Bridge
A special bridge once stood over Buzzard Roost Creek. This was the Buzzard Roost Covered Bridge, built in 1860. It was 94 feet long and was part of the Natchez Trace Parkway System. Sadly, this historic wooden bridge was destroyed by fire on July 15, 1972.
Ancient Discoveries
In 1958, a type of ancient spear point was named after a site on Buzzard Roost Creek. This spear point, called the Buzzard Roost Creek Point, dates back to a very early time in North American history, known as the Archaic period. This shows that people lived and hunted in this area thousands of years ago.
Historic Recognition
Because of its rich history, Buzzard Roost was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1976. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
Modern Bridges
Even though the old covered bridge is gone, another bridge still stands over Buzzard Roost Creek. This bridge was built in 1940 and is a type called a Pratt pony truss bridge. As of 2011, it was still there, but it was rated as "structurally deficient," meaning it needed repairs.
