Arkwright, Alabama

{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Arkwright, Alabama

|settlement_type = Unincorporated community

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|pushpin_map=Alabama#USA

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = United States

|subdivision_type1 = State

|subdivision_name1 = Alabama

|subdivision_type2 = County

|subdivision_name2 = Shelby

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|timezone = Central (CST)

|utc_offset = -6

|timezone_DST = CDT

|utc_offset_DST = -5

|elevation_footnotes =

|elevation_m =

|elevation_ft = 459

|coordinates = {{coord|33|22|17|N|86|24|09|W|region:US-AL|display=inline,title}}

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|area_codes = 205, 659

|blank_name = GNIS feature ID

|blank_info = 156003{{cite gnis|156003|Arkwright}}

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{{Infobox historic site

| embed = yes

| name = Arkwright Heritage Area

| designation1 = Alabama Register

| designation1_offname = Arkwright Heritage Area

| designation1_date = August 25, 2011

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Arkwright was an unincorporated community in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. The community lies near the banks of the Coosa River and is now within the city limits of Vincent. Arkwright was founded in 1907 and was named for Preston Stanley Arkwright, who served as founder and president of Georgia Railway and Power Company and as an official with the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic Railway.{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/05/shelby_county_approves_histori.html |title=Shelby County approves historical marker for Arkwright area near Vincent | al.com |publisher=Blog.al.com |date=2013-05-13 |accessdate=2014-06-05}} At one point, the community was home to a railroad station, post office, bank, cotton gin, gristmill, general store, furniture store, and school. The post office was in operation from 1909 to 1926.{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=AL&county=Shelby |title=Shelby County |publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |accessdate=21 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022181749/http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=AL&county=Shelby |archivedate=22 October 2014 }} In 1924, the railroad company raised the railroad bed, eliminating the need for a depot. The population soon began to decline and the post office was closed shortly afterwards.{{cite web|url=http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2011/10/17/lost-village-of-arkwright-found/ |title=Lost village of Arkwright found |publisher=Shelby County Reporter |date=2011-10-17 |accessdate=2014-06-05}} The Arkwright Baptist Church and Arkwright Heritage Area, which includes multiple structures and cemeteries, were added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 2011.{{cite web|title=Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage |url=http://preserveala.org/alabamaregister.aspx?sm=f_b |work=Alabama Historical Commission |publisher=www.preserveala.org |accessdate=June 5, 2014 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904152458/http://preserveala.org/alabamaregister.aspx?sm=f_b |archivedate=September 4, 2012 }}