Our History

The following excerpts are from the book:

Chronicles of the Chattahoochee Valley

"The village of Fredonia, located in the northeast part of Chambers County, was one of the first white settlements in the county. Land-hungry settlers rushed in to obtain lands which had long been home of Creek Indians, native to the area.¹

Just prior to the War Between the States, there were sixteen places of business in the town. They included dry goods merchants, saloons, blacksmith shops, wood working shops, a tan-yard, hotels, and a Temperance House.¹

Settlers were eager to get into the new territory, clear the land and plant their crops, and farming became the principal occupation of most residents in the Fredonia Community. Cotton was grow as the money crop but corn, oats, wheat, peas sweet potatoes and garden produce were grown in abundance to feed both humans and livestock.¹

The place named 'Fredonia' was originated by Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchil (1764-1831), who served both as United States Senator and Representative from the State of New York. He first coined the word shortly after 1800 from the English word freedom with a Latin ending, with an idea of its meaning "place of freedom." Dr Mitchil proposed it as a name for the nation, but it was never a serious contender. In 1833, the new settlement was called Hurst's Store and only later did it come to be known as Fredonia. The tradition in the community is that the name was derived from 'free donation' based on a belief that the land was given by the Creeks.¹

1. Chronicles of the Chattahoochee Valley: Early History of Fredonia. Vol. 1. Publication No. 18. by The Chattahoochee Valley Historical Society, Inc. and Carl Summers Jr. pgs 33-65. 1995.

“Preserving the best of yesterday for today and tomorrow”—indeed! Fredonia’s 3rd Annual Heritage Day celebration on Nov. 19th at the Fredonia Community Clubhouse will this year incorporate a new dimension focused on Fredonia’s Rosenwald School which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and which was operational until 1958.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, former students of the Rosenwald School gathered outside the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church to discuss plans for the 19th with some of the Heritage Day committee. “The best of yesterday” was heard in enthusiastic statements about attending the school. Clifford Griggs of Lanett, who will be celebrating his Nov. 19th birthday at Heritage Day, was proud to have “started school here in 1948 and went through its six grades.” His sister, Suzie Griggs, who now lives in West Point while strongly identifying with her Alabama roots, preceded her brother in school by one year. Willie Jewell Nelloms and Sarah Brooks of Lanett reminded the others, “It was just about three years ago that our teacher, Mrs. Sally Fanning Harris, died; she was 104 years old.”

Meeting Jack Cumbee, chair of the Free Fredonia group which initiated Heritage Days in 2009, John (J.D.) Hoggs, now of Newnan, told Jack that as a boy he had ridden their mule weekly to Cumbee’s Store (Jack’s grandmother, Alleen Cumbee was not only store owner/manager but also Fredonia’s postmistress). Now Hoggs drives weekly to New Hope Missionary Baptist where he is an elder and was the member primarily responsible for getting the school on the National Register.

Former student Jim Stiggers arrived early from Atlanta to participate in the discussion. Although Mary Eunice King’s daughter Cassandra had hurriedly driven her mother, also from Atlanta, Mary arrived after the last photo had been taken (and thus her picture is included as an inset)/ Cassandra, a professional caterer, was disappointed to hear that all the food vending slots are filled for this year, but Judy Collins, chair of the planning committee, promised to notify her early for next year’s event.

The “Rosenwald School Kids” happily greeted The Rev. Harold and Mrs. Betty Ferguson when they arrived to hear about all of the plans. Betty is first cousin to John Hoggs and to Suzie and Clifford Griggs. Whereas she grew up in Lanett, Betty and her husband are now living on family land in the Fredonia area.

Alfreda Fannings, a 4th generation Fredonian and a co-chair of the Heritage Day planning committee, joined other planners Chris and JJ Frickert along with Cumbee, Collins and photographer Jim Allen to thank all of the Rosenwald folk for their enthusiastic assistance in having the Rosenwald heritage be a significant aspect of this year’s event.

Learning more about Fredonia’s historic school was prompted by a presentation at the Pilot Library in LaFayette given by Ms. Susan Webb, known statewide as “The Traveling Schoolmarm,” After hearing her speak, Judy Collins contacted Webb about the possibility of her speaking for Heritage Day. She is very generously planning to do so, traveling at her own expense from Birmingham. In responding to the planning committee, she wrote, “I think it would be interesting for people in your area to know they are home to one of roughly only 15 Rosenwald schools still standing in Alabama. At one time there were nearly 400 in the state and 5300 in 15 southern states. It would be wonderful if some day the New Hope school could be restored.”

Webb concluded her letter, “I am not sure if you recall that the program at the library seemed to draw a wonderful mix of citizens who came together with a common interest. It was one of my most rewarding presentations.” Collins adds that everyone involved with Heritage Day planning is anticipating similar comments after not only the Rosenwald talk and tour but all of the activities of this year’s 3rd annual event. “We encourage you to mark your calendars now to be in Fredonia on Nov. 19. For more information, go to our updated website, www.savefredonia.com and check out the Heritage Day page and also the Photo Gallery for Heritage Day pictures.”