Boston
Boston, Alabama was a coal mining community in Marion County that lost its identity in 1957 when it
State: Alabama
County: Marion County
Founded: Late 19th century
Boston, Alabama was a coal mining community in Marion County that lost its identity in 1957 when it was officially merged into the neighboring town of Brilliant. Unlike traditional ghost towns, Boston didn't fade away—it simply changed its name as the coal industry that defined both communities evolved.
Timeline
- Civil War Era - Pioneer Settlement An early settler named Lee Beauchamp named the settlement Boston, partly in reference to Boston, Massachusetts, and partly in honor of the pioneer Bostick family who had settled in the area around the Civil War. Another account credits the naming to Jimmy L. Bostick, one of the first settlers.
- Late 1800s - Coal Discovery The discovery of coal deposits in Marion County transformed the agricultural community into an industrial one. The Aldridge Mining Company established operations in the area, providing employment and drawing workers from across the region.
- 1897-1906 - Rise of the Brilliant Coal Company The Aldridge Mining Company evolved into the Brilliant Coal Company in 1906. The company took its name from the exceptional quality of the local coal—glossy in appearance with low ash and sulfur content. The enterprise would employ local residents for over 50 years.
- 1950s - End of Major Mining By the end of the 1950s, the Brilliant Coal Company had ceased its mining operations. While smaller mining companies would continue in the area until the early 1990s, the heyday of Marion County coal was ending.
- 1956-1957 - The Merger In 1956, citizens voted to merge Boston into the town of Brilliant. Act 284 of the Alabama Legislature officially incorporated Boston into Brilliant in 1957, and the name 'Boston' was officially dropped from use. It was a peaceful end—not abandonment, but absorption.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Any time - this is now part of Brilliant, AL
Difficulty: Easy - existing small town
Time Needed: 1-2 hours to explore the historical area
Tips
- Brilliant is a living town with approximately 845 residents (2020 census)
- Look for historical markers referencing the coal mining heritage
- The Brilliant Coal Company's legacy is visible in the town's name
- Local residents may share stories of the Boston era
- The Town of Brilliant website has historical information
Quick Facts
- The name 'Brilliant' wasn't chosen for any famous person—it described the shiny, high-quality coal mined there
- Boston technically still exists—it just changed its name to Brilliant
- The merger was democratic: citizens voted on it before the legislature made it official
- Small coal mining operations continued in the area until the early 1990s—nearly 100 years of mining history
- Boston shared its name with multiple other Alabama locations, including places in Covington and Greene counties
Location
Address: Now part of Brilliant, Alabama
Coordinates: 34.0253, -87.7689