Ariton, AL news and local guide

Near Ariton, Henry Black bought land on the Pea River in 1832 and built the area's first gristmill. In 1837 Creek Indians who had escaped the Battle of Hobdy's Bridge were routed there by Dale County militia. The mill later ran wool-carding machines during the Civil War, and the site was a popular recreation spot from 1875 to 1950. The Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Pea River, thought to be the first reinforced concrete river bridge in Alabama, was dedicated on August 3, 1921, to the 57 Dale County men who died in World War I. Ariton is the birthplace of blues singer Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, born on December 11, 1926, who as a child played harmonica outside the town's bus station. In 1952 she recorded "Hound Dog," later made famous by Elvis Presley, and she wrote "Ball and Chain," made famous by Janis Joplin. Sources The Historical Marker Database: James J. Dean; Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton The Historical Marker Database: Veterans Memorial Bridge – 1921 / Grist Mill – Indian Battle – Recreation (Historic Chattahoochee Commission and Dale County Historical Society) Wikipedia: Ariton, Alabama