The community of Ardmore incorporates the two states of Tennessee and Alabama, and the four counties of Giles County, Tenn., Lincoln County, Tenn., Madison, Ala., and the northeast corner of Limestone County, Ala. The community was originally called Austin after Alex Austin, a merchant from Elkton, Tenn., who built the first general store in 1910, in anticipation of the L&N; Railroad’s expected path from Nashville to Decatur.

Charlotte Fulton chronicled much of Ardmore’s early history in her 2003 “Etched in Limestone: Living and Learning in Old Limestone County.”

“And so the merchant from Elkton, Tenn., bought 200 acres of Land at $1 per acre where he expected the depot to be located. Then he built a 30 x 60-foot store and stocked it with items he anticipated railroad workers would need.

“Other merchants followed suit.

“By the time the railroad was completed in 1914, the community had a lumber mill, two blacksmith shops, another store, a barbershop and a cotton gin,” Fulton wrote.

“The village took on the name Austin, but when the railroad company gave the name Ardmore to the first depot — merely a boxcar — the village took on that name.”

The boxcar was named for Ardmore, Penn.

Fulton also spoke with Eugenia Curtis, the granddaughter of Austin. Curtis shared a hand-written item from an unknown railroad representative who rode the line, stopping off at stations along the way to measure their prosperity. The representative referred to visiting with his “old friend” Austin as he assessed the town, writing: “I do believe he is the most enterprising man I’ve ever come in contact with. Together he and I crossed the street to Fowler Bros., where I was given a hearty welcome. After noticing their nice line of good, we hastened on to several other business houses — White’s, Whitt’s, Doutit’s, Mangrum’s and other, taking notice of the general bustle and stir of the town. The hurrying wagons loaded with cotton on their way to the big steam gin, loads of corn going to the mill or to be loaded in a grain, log wagons, buggies and cars, all of this I noted with interest.”

Between 1915 and 1918, the town had flourished, having built a two-story brick high school on the Alabama side, the Baptist Church, and The Bank of Ardmore.

The town of Ardmore, Ala., was incorporated in 1922. In 1939, an up-to-date hardware store, a grocery store, and a doctor’s office were added to the community. In 1940, the Ardmore Cheese Company, located on the Tennessee side, opened and was the main industry at the time.



Ardmore today



Today Ardmore is still a close-knit population of people who take pride in showcasing the town through community events. Throughout the end of the year Ardmore will hold several events including:

• Ardmore Veteran’s Day Program and Chicken Stew. The Ardmore Veterans Day Program and Chicken Stew will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Ardmore, Tenn., Annex located on Main Street behind Peoples State Bank of Commerce. Veterans and relatives will be honored in the program. Chicken stew is free.

• Ardmore Christmas Parade. The Ardmore Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 5.

• Ardmore Christmas Tour of Homes. The Ardmore Christmas Tour of Homes will take place Dec. 12. The event is hosted by the Ardmore AL/TN Chamber of Commerce.

Other annual community events include the Ardmore Police Department Barbecue each May; The Civitan Club Kids Day in the Park in June; and the Boys & Girls Club Sonic Cruz-In beginning in June; the Annual Crepe Myrtle Festival and the Ardmore Police Reserves Rodeo in August; and the Ardmore Car Show in September.

For information about what Ardmore has to offer call the Ardmore AL/TN Chamber of Commerce at (256) 423-7588.