LOXLEY, Alabama — “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.”

Loxley Civic Center manager Joey Knight is taking that statement — attributed to British statesman Edmund Burke – to heart these days.

Over the last several months, Knight has been pouring over archives and old photos to compile a history of his town, a town he works for and a town which is native to several generations of his family.

“There have been a few things written about Loxley historically over the years, but most of what’s out there is just a few paragraphs,” he said. “There’s really nothing comprehensive and there’s enough conflicting information that I think it’s important we have a definitive history.”

Citing one example, Knight said, there is a national website that lists John Loxley as the town’s founding father, coming to the town, which was originally called Bennett, in the early 1900s to set up a saw mill and turpentine still, among other ventures.

“In that same article in the last paragraph, it talks about Fred Loxley as being the founding father,” he said. “Fred Loxley is John Loxley’s son.”

Most historical information lists little of the town’s history, beyond the fact that Loxley was a hub of agricultural activity in the early 1900s.

“We know very little of some of the town’s other founding families,” Knight said, such as the Barnhill family. The Corte family of the Eastern Shore and Robertsdale’s Bertolla family also were instrumental in the founding of Loxley, he said.

Knight’s own family is steeped in the town’s history. His grandmother, Dora Steele, owned and operated Steele’s Grocery which served generations of the town’s residents.

The town was incorporated in 1957 and Knight is currently building on information compiled for the town’s 50th anniversary in 2007.

Knight’s own interest in history began as early as age 5, he said.

“During the town’s sesquicentennial several residents met at the Loxley Depot and rode the Lil General (commemorating “The Great Train Raid of 1861” in which Virginia militia troops initiated the raid of a Union train during the Civil War), up to Bay Minette where they participated in events celebrating the anniversary,” he said. “My grandmother decided that we needed to participate and I remember riding on the train. I really don’t remember much about the event itself, but I do remember riding the train.”

Knight is scanning and uploading photos to the Facebook site, “You Know You’ve Lived in Loxley if …” and is in the process of sorting through information and photos to compile a history page at townofloxley.org.

He is asking for help from residents and anyone who might have historic photos from the town.

“Really it can be anything from the early days up through the 70s and 80s,” he said.

Knight is also working with groups looking to preserve historic buildings in town such as the Loxley Hotel, which is located across from the Loxley Fire Department.

“If you’ve ever been down near the Police Department in that area, there are a lot of historic buildings in that area of town,” he said. “But they have fallen into disrepair because people just can’t afford to maintain them. We’ve already lost some of our historic buildings such as the old train depot and if we don’t act soon, other buildings such as the Loxley Hotel will also be lost.”

Anyone wishing to contribute to the town’s history can contact Knight at the Civic Center, 251-964-7733, 251-964-4995 or e-mail loxcivic@gulftel.com.