Manasco
Manasco was a short-lived settlement founded in 1879 by David C. Manasco on 160 acres in Walker Coun
State: Alabama
County: Walker County
Founded: 1879
Abandoned: By 1900
Manasco was a short-lived settlement founded in 1879 by David C. Manasco on 160 acres in Walker County's coal region. The town maintained a post office for only 10 years and was completely uninhabited by 1900. Today only hand-dug wells and a cemetery remain.
Timeline
- 1879 - Founding David C. Manasco established the town on 160 acres of land. A post office opened on July 24, 1879, giving the settlement official recognition.
- 1879-1889 - Brief Existence For ten years, Manasco maintained a post office. The Manasco family name appears on coal mining records in Walker County (the 'Manasco & Stewart Mine'), suggesting the family was connected to the area's dominant industry.
- 1889 - Post Office Closes On February 5, 1889, the Manasco post office closed. Without mail service, the town's decline accelerated.
- By 1900 - Abandonment Census records show Manasco was completely uninhabited by 1900. Why the town failed while nearby coal communities thrived remains unknown—perhaps the coal seams didn't pan out, or the founder moved on.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Easy access to cemetery; town site on private land
Time Needed: 30 minutes for cemetery
Tips
- The Manasco Cemetery is accessible and provides a tangible connection to the settlement
- Located near the small town of Townley
- Some hand-dug wells from the original settlement may still be visible
- The area is in Walker County's coal mining region with rich local history
Quick Facts
- The post office operated for exactly 10 years before closing
- A 'Manasco & Stewart Mine' appears in state coal mining records, connecting the family to Walker County's coal industry
- The settlement was completely uninhabited by 1900—just 21 years after founding
- The reason for Manasco's failure remains a mystery—it simply never developed
Location
Address: Intersection of AL 173 (Wolf Creek Road) and Pleasant Hill Road
Coordinates: 33.7786, -87.4656