unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in
Madison County, Alabama
Madison County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 388,153, making it the third-most populous county in Alabama. Its county seat is Huntsville. Since the mid-20th centu ...
, United States.
History
Poplar Ridge is named for a nearby
ridge
A ridge or a mountain ridge is a geographical feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for an extended distance. The sides of the ridge slope away from the narrow top on either side. The line ...
that was covered with tulip poplar trees.
A post office operated under the name Poplar Ridge from 1874 to 1908.
In 1874, it was documented as a township in
Madison County, Alabama
Madison County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 388,153, making it the third-most populous county in Alabama. Its county seat is Huntsville. Since the mid-20th centu ...
with a population of 611.
Poplar Ridge was an election precinct. In 1880, testimony was given about election activities at the precinct during the investigation of a contested election. In the early 20th century the precinct had a little more than 1,000 residents.
Education
The community was home to Poplar Ridge School.
The school is commemorated with a historical marker. Poplar Ridge School opened in 1858. A neo-classical building was constructed in 1875 and held as many as 100 students. It was consolidated with New Hope High School in 1941. The school has also been used as a
community center
Community centres, community centers, or community halls are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole co ...
and voting place.
Notable people
*
Canada Butler
Canada Butler (c. 1821 - December 12, 1862) was a state legislator in Alabama. He lived in Poplar Ridge, Alabama in Madison County, Alabama. He was a Republican. He died “on duty” and is buried in Montgomery.
He was born about 1821 in Tenne ...
, former member of the
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama State House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency contai ...
. Grandfather of Samuel Riley Butler, for whom
S. R. Butler High School
S. R. Butler High School was a four-year Public school (government funded), public high school that served students in Educational stages, grades ninth grade, 9-twelfth grade, 12 from Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama. The school was named ...
was named for.
* James Edward Butler, son of Canada Butler and former member of the Alabama House of Representatives