Smithsonia, Alabama

Smithsonia, also known as Cave Springs, is an unincorporated community in Lauderdale County, in the U.S. state of Alabama.

Smithsonia, Alabama
Unincorporated community
Smithsonia
Smithsonia
Coordinates: 34°47′39″N 87°52′45″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlabama
CountyLauderdale
Elevation
512 ft (156 m)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)256 & 938
GNIS feature ID157080[1]

History

Smithsonia was originally known as Cave Springs, in reference to the numerous caves in the surrounding area. It was then named Smithsonia, in honor of Columbus Smith, a landowner and merchant following the American Civil War.[2] Smith operated a ferry, general store, grist mill, and cotton gin in Smithsonia.[3] A post office was in operation under the name Smithsonia from 1886 to 1927.[4]

References
  1. "Smithsonia". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. Foscue, Virginia (1989). Place Names in Alabama. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press. p. 129. ISBN 0-8173-0410-X.
  3. William Lindsey McDonald (2003). A Walk Through the Past - People and Places of Florence and Lauderdale County Alabama. Heart of Dixie Publishing. pp. 363–. ISBN 978-0-9719945-6-0.
  4. "Lauderdale County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 28 November 2014.


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