Clay County Alabama History of Blake's Ferry ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.genrecords.net/alclay/ ************************************************ Blake's Ferry is located in Randolph County but because of it's Clay County's neighbor and so many of the people moved in and out of these two countie, it has been placed here for Clay County. Contributed by Linda S. Ayers Jan 2003 Blake's Ferry Blake's Ferry is located between Lineville and Wedowee on the Tallapossa River. The Ferry was first called Young's Ferry, owned by Richard Young that also had the first permit for the ferry, but was later sold to John Blake before 1860. Businesses in Blake Ferry in 1860: James Hood Merchant William Handley Merchant John Moore Merchant John Morefield Merchant James Dobbins Grocery Store Martin Mullins Grocery Store William and Zealous East Tanners and Shoemakers Moses W. Dobbins Physician F.M. Ferrell Mineral Doctor Henry Cox Teacher Albert Littlefield and A.L.W. Stroud were Bricklayers John Blake Ferryman By 1870 Clay County had been formed and half of Blake's Ferry was in Clay County. Businesses in Blake's Ferry in 1870 David Knight Miller William Scott Blacksmith Larry Waits Miller Milton Woodruff Grocery Store Thomas McMillen Grocery Store Dr. Madison D. Liles Physician John Morefield Merchant John Blake Merchant/Ferryman Peter Roach Blacksmith Thomas McLane Miller David Bean Miller William Fetner Ferryman Calvin Mason Blacksmith J.H. Robertson Merchant After the 1875 tax sale in Randolph County, many people lost their homes and businesses, and moved to North Alabama or as far as Texas. The population in Blake's Ferry in 1880 was only 250, by 1900 the businesses were dying out, and all that remains today is ''Blake's Ferry Road'' out of Lineville to Lake Harris. Businesses in Blake Ferry in 1880 William C. and A.S Bell Flour Mill William Blake Physician Thomas Dingler Carpenter Blake & Giles Flour Mill and Cotton Gin Marion and William Giles Blacksmiths William Burroughs Blacksmith Freeman DeVaughn Merchant Newton McCrary and Son Merchant U.D. Mitchell Cotton Gin John Orr Flour Mill and Cotton Gin C.A. Smith Flour Mill and Cotton Gin