Image: Jenkinsfarmsign1

Description: Jenkins Farm historic sign in Loxley, Alabama, commemorating the establishment of the John Wesley Jenkins family farm and home in 1935. The sign reads thus: John Wesley Jenkins, born 1874, owned a 40 acre turpentine operation in 1915 when he married Amelia Taylor. With the decline of his turpentine resources, they began growing potatoes. At the time of John Wesley’s death in 1935 and prior to the birth of their 10th child, the farm had expanded to 120 acres. Following a strict and tireless work schedule, Amelia and her children were able to turn a profit producing hay, peanuts, potatoes, and other vegetables. By the 1950s, the farm operation encompassed 1052 acres managed by her son, Hilliard, with other siblings working with him: John-accounting/payroll manager, Samuel-personnel manager, and Shelly-machinery manager. Jenkins Farm had become one of the largest African American farms in Alabama with 960 acres of cultivated crops and hay; the remaining acreage for animal husbandry including Aberdeen, Angus and Hereford steers.
Title: Jenkinsfarmsign1
Credit: Own work
Author: Timdwilliamson
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Attribution Required?: Yes