Fort Dale, Alabama

Fort Dale, Alabama
written by: Mildred Stinson Brown

In the spring of 1818, a fort was built in the northwestern portion of Butler County. It was erected by order of Col. Samuel Dale, who at that time was commanding a garrison of soldiers at Fort Claiborne, AL. The site selected for building was atop a hill overlooking what was know as Poplar Spring and the area of the Oak Grove Cemetery. The fort was established to protect settlers in the area from Indian attacks. It was during this time that the Ogly Massacre occurred and it was probably this incident that caused the building of the fort. After complete, all of the residents lived inside the fort's walls until the Indian uprisings had been stopped. When the attacks were stopped, the settlers returned to there homes.

Col . A. T. Perry had the land on which the fort was built. He remained there for several years. He sold it to Joseph Hartley of Putnam County, GA. in January of 1825. Hartley built a log house there using a whipsaw to cut timber for logs. He also cleared the land that surrounded the old fort. Several families began to settle there afterwards. Below are photos of The Palings, John Hartley's home

The first store was owned by William Martin about 1819. Others followed. These are believed to have been the first stores in Butler County. It was shortly after this time that the first store opened in Greenville. Some believe that Fort Dale, named after Col. Dale, was the site of the first courts to be held in the county. Judge Anderson Crenshaw supposed held a court session there just logs for seats. Fort Dale became a gathering place for various events in the county. People came for such things as foot races, horse swapping, and was noted for drinking and fighting.

Perhaps one of its most infamous persons was Betsy Donaldson, daughter of a Mr. Donaldson who lived about two miles from Greenville. Not with keeping the typical females of the period, Miss Donaldson stood taller than a lot of men at six foot, weight about 180 pounds and was stout and very muscular. The story goes that a bear attacked a group of hogs that was owned by the Donaldson while the father was away. At the young age of 18, Betsy killed the bear. This began her notarity for bravery. To add to her reputation, it has been said that she throw William Tragus, supposedly a man of lesser quality, into Stalling's Creek after he attempted to escort her home without her consent. She was encountered in Fort Dale by a group of bullies. Needless to say she subdued them. The story continues in that Betsy was known to enter a boxing ring and was the equal to any man in the county. Listed among her abilities of strength was the fact that she could life a full barrel of whiskey by the chimes, raise it up and brink from it with assistance of another person. She finally married, settled down and she and her husband moved West.

After Greenville was named the county seat, Fort Dale began to decline. Thomas Gary is said to have been the first person buried there. Born in South Carolina in 1764, he moved to Butler County about 1818. He died while residing inside the fort that year. Other early burials included his wife in 1826, Andrew Jones in 1822, Ennis McDaniel in 1832.

Photo provided by Joe Sanders

Tavern & Stage Inn, County Rd. 58, near Greenville, Butler County, AL
CALL NUMBER HABS, ALA,7-GRENV.V,2-
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
REPOSITORY: Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division, Washington,
D.C. 20540 USA