Pansey ghost town, Alabama

Pansey

Pansey was a thriving farming community in the late 1800s and early 1900s with stores, a feed mill,

State: Alabama County: Houston County (originally Henry County)

Pansey was a thriving farming community in the late 1800s and early 1900s with stores, a feed mill, cotton gin, two-story schoolhouse, and railroad stop. Though incorporated in 1902 and disincorporated after 1920, it still exists as an unincorporated community with a post office and volunteer fire department.

Timeline

  • Late 1800s - Establishment Pansey was established as a farming community in what was then Henry County. The town was reportedly named after the first postmaster's daughter.
  • 1902 - Incorporation Pansey was incorporated as a town according to the 1910 U.S. Census. At its peak, the community featured several stores, a feed mill, a cotton gin, a two-story schoolhouse, and a doctor. The railroad included a stop in Pansey.
  • After 1920 - Disincorporation Pansey disincorporated at some point after 1920. Houston County had been created from Henry County in 1903, and Pansey found itself in the new county.
  • Present - Unincorporated Community While no longer incorporated and greatly reduced in population, Pansey still exists. It maintains a post office (ZIP 36370), has a volunteer fire department, and some long-time residents remain. The Pansey Church of Christ Cemetery preserves the community's history.

Plan Your Visit

Best Time: Any season

Difficulty: Easy - accessible via U.S. Route 84

Time Needed: 30 minutes

Tips

  • Located along U.S. Route 84 east-southeast of Dothan
  • The post office still operates
  • Pansey Church of Christ Cemetery is accessible
  • Some original families' descendants still reside here
  • The Wiregrass Region has rich agricultural history

Quick Facts

  • Named after the first postmaster's daughter - one of Alabama's more charming town name origins
  • Once had a two-story schoolhouse - impressive for a rural farming community
  • Still has an operating post office with ZIP code 36370
  • The town disincorporated sometime after 1920 but never completely disappeared

Location

Address: U.S. Route 84, east-southeast of Dothan

Coordinates: 31.265, -85.265

Sources