The Baldwin County Historical Society (BCHS) will meet for its third quarter meeting on Sunday, July 21.

The meeting will begin with registration and sign-in at 2 p.m., followed by the program at 2:30 p.m.

The event will be held at 1063 Ellison Street, Loxley, situated east of Highway 59 off 1st Avenue, across from the Loxley Fire Department, in the newly renovated former Cooper Potato Shed building. Signs marking the BCHS meeting location will be displayed.

Speakers for the occasion include Joey Knight of the Loxley Museum Committee and Barbara Lovell, Loxley Museum Coordinator. They will discuss the history of Loxley, focusing on the city's recent addition, the Museum of Loxley, established in 2021 to preserve local heritage. Following the BCHS meeting, attendees are invited to tour the museum located at 4100 Second Street.

Loxley, like many towns in central Baldwin County, owes its origins to the lumber industry. Named around 1900 after Michigan native John Loxley, who established a lumber camp amidst the virgin pine forests of south Alabama, the town quickly grew with the influx of workers drawn to the sawmill and small-gauge railroad operations. Despite Loxley and his family eventually departing when the timber was exhausted, the town persisted, evolving into a hub of commerce and community.

The Louisville and Nashville Railroad's introduction of a line through Loxley further accelerated its development, facilitating easier access to neighboring areas. In 1906, Octavia Sauer opened the town's post office alongside the depot, marking a pivotal moment in Loxley's growth. By 1920, the town boasted a burgeoning array of retail shops, offices, tradesmen, banks and other businesses, laying the groundwork for its contemporary identity.

Incorporated into Baldwin County in 1957 and officially designated as a city in 2022 after a period of rapid population expansion, Loxley has transformed from a quiet town into a bustling center for families, businesses and opportunities.

All BCHS meetings are open to the public, with no membership required for attendance. For more information, contact bchistsoc@gmail.com.

The Baldwin County Historical Society was founded September 12, 1923. The purpose is to bring together the citizens of Baldwin County to insure the preservation of the county's rich heritage.