Calcis, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calcis, Alabama
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Former H. R. Justice store and post office in Calcis. Alabama State Route 25 and Norfolk Southern Railway to right of photo.
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 Calcis, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Calcis, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Shelby |
| Elevation | 535 ft (163 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 205, 659 |
| GNIS feature ID | 115387 |
Calcis is a small, unincorporated community located in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. An unincorporated community is a place where people live but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It is situated along Alabama State Route 25, about 3 miles (5 km) north-northwest of the town of Vincent.
Contents
History of Calcis
Why is it Called Calcis?
The name "Calcis" comes from the word calcium. This is because a lot of limestone was found and mined in the area. Limestone is a type of rock that contains calcium. It was an important resource for the community.
Railroad and Transportation
Calcis was once an important stop on the Central of Georgia Railway. This railway line helped connect the community to other places. There was even a passenger depot in Calcis, which was a building where people could wait for trains. This made it easier for people to travel to and from the area.
A Bid for a Courthouse
At one point, the community of Calcis tried to become more important in Shelby County. They wanted to have a second courthouse and county jail built there. They even took their request to the Supreme Court of Alabama, which is the highest court in the state. However, their request was not granted.
Limestone Mining and Industry
Mining was a big part of Calcis's history. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company operated a large limestone quarry in the community. A quarry is a place where stone is dug out of the ground.
The limestone from Calcis was sent to Birmingham. There, it was used as flux in making iron. Flux is a material that helps remove impurities when metals are being melted. The specific type of limestone mined in Calcis was known as Trenton limestone.
The Calcis Lime Works was another important business in the area. This company manufactured quicklime in Calcis. Quicklime is a substance made from limestone that has many uses, including in construction and agriculture.
Community Post Office
A post office was opened in Calcis in 1899. This allowed residents to send and receive mail directly in their community. The post office served the area for many years before it closed in 1967.
