Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 33, 1885

This town on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was founded by Pitt S. Milner, a Baptist minister, who came from Pike County, Georgia. He settled the place now known as the old Milner place in 1855. He established a post-office here the same year, naming it Georgiana. The railroad soon established a depot here, and named it Pittsville for Rev. Pitt S. Milner, but the reverend gentleman objected to the name, and had it called Georgiana, the same as the post-office. John M. Smith came here soon after the post-office was established. Several people lived in the surrounding country; the oldest settler lived about two and a half miles north of this place. He was named John Shepherd, and was also from Georgia, having moved here in 1824. The name Georgiana is a combination of Georgia and Anna. Mr. Milner combined his daughter Anna's name with that of his native State, and made a very euphonious name for this pleasant little city. In 1858 Pitt S. Milner opened a store of general merchandise. T. H. Powell soon followed with a grog-shop, the liquor business proving quite as profitable as any other for. some time. Miles and Peter Simpson and John W. Wheeler each started a store the same year. Many people having moved in, and the business being very good, the pubhc demanded roads leading to the prosperous village. Accordingly, in 1862, the Commissioners ordered a road to be cut to Bear's store from this place, and the road to Oaky Streak through South Butler was cut the same year. Other roads have since been cut to this place from all parts of the southern portion of the county, making it a convenient market for all that live in this section of the country.

Rev. Pitt S. Milner started the Baptist Church here in 1865, and began preaching in it in 1866. The Methodists started their church the next year. Both denominations have very handsome structures for the size of the town. In 1868 the citizens erected a large building for school purposes, which is called the Georgiana Academy. First school was taught at this place in 1856, in a log school-house, by Miss Eunice Eskew. E. C. Milner, Pitt Milner's son, had a steam saw and gristmill here as early as 1858. In' 1867 Jerry Fail established one, which is still in operation.

The mercantile business sprang up very briskly in 1866, and has been steadily increasing ever since. The merchants buy from 3,500 to 4,000 bales of cotton per year, and other country produce in proportion. This place commands not only the trade of this part of the county, but also a considerable amount from the adjoining counties. There are now in Georgiana ten stores, two drug-shops, two hotels, one livery and feed stable, one cotton warehouse, public mill and ginnery, shoe-shop, blacksmith-shop, etc. There is also a City Hall for public meetings and theatrical troupes. This place was incorporated as a town in 1869, and as a city in 1872. As there is no whisky sold here, there is not much use for municipal officers. Major A. N. Glenn is the present Mayor. Major Glenn is a man of considerable influence, and makes a very efficient officer. There are about 600 people living in the corporation. The state of society compares very favorably with that of any other town in the county. A very flourishing school is now in operation, with Prof. J. M. Thigpen as Principal. This school will continue to grow, as Professor Thigpen is a superior teacher and is aided by other very competent instructors. The people have always been noted for their observance of the laws of the country, and for pursuing their own interests and not interfering with those of others.