Oak Bowery, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oak Bowery, Alabama
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The Oak Bowery Cash Grocery building in 2019.
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 Oak Bowery, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Oak Bowery, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Chambers |
| Elevation | 839 ft (256 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
36862
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| Area code(s) | 334 |
Oak Bowery is a small, unincorporated community in Chambers County, Alabama, United States. An unincorporated community means it is a place with a shared identity but no local government. It is located along U.S. Route 431, which is a major highway. Oak Bowery is north of the city of Auburn.
Contents
History of Oak Bowery
Oak Bowery was first settled in 1828. The first settlers came from South Carolina. They originally named the community Woodlawn.
How Oak Bowery Got Its Name
Soon after the settlement, a Methodist group set up a special outdoor meeting place there. This type of meeting was called a "camp meeting." They named this meeting ground Oak Bowery. Around 1835, the entire community decided to adopt this name.
Education in Early Oak Bowery
Oak Bowery became an important place for education. In 1837, the Oak Bowery Female College was started. This was a school for young women. Later, in 1850, the East Alabama Masonic College also opened there.
Growth and Change in Oak Bowery
The community grew quickly in the 1830s and 1840s. However, its growth slowed down because of a change in plans for a railroad. The Montgomery and West Point Railroad was originally planned to go through Oak Bowery. But the route was changed to go further south instead. This change meant fewer people and businesses came to Oak Bowery. Today, Oak Bowery is a small community with only a few homes and a church.
Notable People from Oak Bowery
Several important people have come from Oak Bowery:
- Robert Lee Bullard - He was a general in the U.S. Army.
- James Ferguson Dowdell - He served as a U.S. Representative, meaning he was a member of the United States Congress.
- James Render Dowdell - He was the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. This is the highest court in the state of Alabama.
- Samuel Porter Jones - He was a famous evangelist, a person who travels to preach about Christianity.
- John William Jones - He also served as a U.S. Representative.
- William J. Samford - He was the Governor of Alabama, leading the state government.
Gallery
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Oak Bowery United Methodist Church
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Oak Bowery Volunteer Fire Department
