McKinley is an unincorporated community in Marengo County, Alabama, United States. McKinley had a post office at one time, but it no longer exists. Although a thriving community in its earliest years, it has since dwindled into obscurity.

History

First known as New Ruin, the community was settled in 1815 and incorporated in 1848. The Phister Lodge #90, a masonic lodge, was granted a charter there on December 7, 1848. The name of the community was changed to McKinley in 1849 in honor of John McKinley, a

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

and Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The town grew rapidly in the 1850s and became the second largest in Marengo County, after Demopolis. Around thirty large plantations surrounded the settlement. By 1860 the community had Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches, two schools, several general stores, a brick drug store,

livery stable A livery is an identifying design, such as a uniform, ornament, symbol or insignia that designates ownership or affiliation, often found on an individual or vehicle. Livery will often have elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or ...

s, two-story carriage repair shop, saddle and

harness A harness is a looped restraint or support. Specifically, it may refer to one of the following harness types: * Bondage harness * Child harness * Climbing harness * Dog harness * Pet harness * Five-point harness * Horse harness * Parrot harness * ...

shop, hotel, three shoe shops, an undertaker,

tanning Tanning may refer to: * Tanning (leather), treating animal skins to produce leather * Sun tanning, using the sun to darken pale skin ** Indoor tanning, the use of artificial light in place of the sun ** Sunless tanning, application of a stain or d ...

yard,

brickyard A brickyard or brickfield is a place or yard where bricks are made, fired, and stored, or sometimes sold or otherwise distributed from. Brick makers work in a brick yard. A brick yard may be constructed near natural sources of clay or on or ...

, and grist mill. In 1860 a fire destroyed everything on the east side of Main Street, except for the hotel. A second fire in 1869 destroyed practically the entire town. It never recovered from the combined effects of the fires, American Civil War, and a changing agricultural situation. Only the Baptist church and a few homes now remain.

Geography

McKinley is located at and has an elevation of .

References

Unincorporated communities in Alabama Unincorporated communities in Marengo County, Alabama Populated places established in 1815 1815 establishments in the United States {{Short description, Unincorporated community in Alabama, United States