Foley

Advertisements placed in newspapers throughout the Midwest in the early 1900s read, "Notice to Homeseekers: Good farm land at a reasonable price," directing people toward Foley, Alabama. A new town with an ideal climate and boundless resources, it was the final stop on the railroad spur to south Baldwin County that was completed in 1905. First built on an agriculture and timber economy, the town was soon home to businesses that sprang up during the population explosion. Nearby Elberta, a German colony, and the river towns of Magnolia Springs and Bon Secour also experienced accelerated growth as the area was developed. The heritage of the greatest resource--the people of Foley--is best told in the photographs long treasured by families of the earliest settlers and collected by the authors to be shared and preserved for posterity.

After coauthoring Images of America: Daphne, authors Harriet Outlaw and Penny Taylor have again collaborated to preserve local photographs, this time for the towns of Foley, Bon Secour, Elberta, and Magnolia Springs. Harriet, a retired educator, also coauthored Baldwin County and is actively involved in Southern legacy preservation projects. Penny is a skilled photographer and graphic artist with more than 25 years of experience; her business, Taylored Graphix LLC, is located in Daphne.