Early History & The Legend of Lickskillet
Dudley Snow and Elisha Sylvannus Simmons were two of the most affluential men that owned the land that later became known as Oxford. In the early days of the 1830s, a ditch separated the northern and southern halves of the city. The north portion known as “Skace Grease” was owned by Simmons, and the south portion known as “Lick Skillet” was owned by Snow. This early legend of the naming comes from a weary traveler as he stopped at a nearby home on the area south of Snow Street. He was denied food for they were “skace of grease.” The traveler then moved north across the ditch where the family was more hospitable in his request. He was advised to “lick the skillet” or “sop out the skillet” because the poor family had nothing else to offer.
On February 7, 1852, the town of Oxford was incorporated with the stipulations of a certain number of council members and the limits appropriated within a certain distance from the male academy. The male academy, directed under the leadership of Wilson and Chambliss, was located atop the hill on Second Street, between Main and Luttrell Streets.
On February 21, 1860, due to the division and name changing of Benton to Calhoun County, Oxford had to charter again for a second incorporation. Through this second incorporation, Oxford was required to elect seven council members and redraw the limits from half a mile from the railroad culvert.
With the construction of the railroad between the years of 1859 and 1862, Oxford saw an increase in population and the construction of the Oxford Iron Company. The furnace was said to have been constructed near Noble and Sixth Streets in present day Anniston. In April 1865 Union troops raided and destroyed the furnace.
After the devastation of the Civil War, Oxford boomed with a bustling economy from the cotton trade business. An article written in the Jacksonville Republican on December 13, 1879 stated, “Streets were crowded with cotton wagons from Cleburne, Clay, Randolph, Talladega and Calhoun Counties… we were shown cotton wagons that had come at least thirty miles to make the market…”
With an increase of population and trade, Oxford became the hub of the southern part of Calhoun County. Daniel P. Gunnells built the first brick mercantile building constructed downtown at the corner of Choccolocco and Main Streets in 1869. The Moseley Brothers built the second brick store building in downtown on Choccolocco Street in 1874. This building currently houses the restaurant Hubbard’s Off Main.
On February 7, 1852, the town of Oxford was incorporated with the stipulations of a certain number of council members and the limits appropriated within a certain distance from the male academy. The male academy, directed under the leadership of Wilson and Chambliss, was located atop the hill on Second Street, between Main and Luttrell Streets.
On February 21, 1860, due to the division and name changing of Benton to Calhoun County, Oxford had to charter again for a second incorporation. Through this second incorporation, Oxford was required to elect seven council members and redraw the limits from half a mile from the railroad culvert.
With the construction of the railroad between the years of 1859 and 1862, Oxford saw an increase in population and the construction of the Oxford Iron Company. The furnace was said to have been constructed near Noble and Sixth Streets in present day Anniston. In April 1865 Union troops raided and destroyed the furnace.
After the devastation of the Civil War, Oxford boomed with a bustling economy from the cotton trade business. An article written in the Jacksonville Republican on December 13, 1879 stated, “Streets were crowded with cotton wagons from Cleburne, Clay, Randolph, Talladega and Calhoun Counties… we were shown cotton wagons that had come at least thirty miles to make the market…”
With an increase of population and trade, Oxford became the hub of the southern part of Calhoun County. Daniel P. Gunnells built the first brick mercantile building constructed downtown at the corner of Choccolocco and Main Streets in 1869. The Moseley Brothers built the second brick store building in downtown on Choccolocco Street in 1874. This building currently houses the restaurant Hubbard’s Off Main.
