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Stepping back in time to the pioneer days, the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society hosted a quarterly meeting at Shiloh Baptist Church located on Sherling Lake Road late last month.

As part of the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, a new historical marker was dedicated during the meeting held on Sunday, April 29, commemorating the Gary’s Stockade and the Ogley-Stroud Massacre.

“The Ogley-Stroud Massacre and Gary’s Stockade’s marker dedicated, and the upcoming Creek Indians marker, are being given to the Historical Society by the Alabama Historical Association as part of both our groups’ Bicentennial efforts,” Annie Crenshaw, chairwoman of the society, explained.

The program featured both stories of the county’s first fort and conflict between Native Americans and pioneer settlers. Descendants of the Ogley-Stroud massacre survivors were invited to attend the event. With an estimated 50 in attendance, people traveled many miles from many different locations for the event.

“Besides many people from Greenville, there were people at the meeting from Abbeville, Andalusia, Birmingham, Chapman, Daviston, Dothan, Evergreen, Foley, Forest Home, Georgiana, Honoraville, Hope Hull, Huntsville, Louisville, Millbrook, Montgomery, Pine Apple, Prattville, Red Level, Selma and several families of Eli Stroud descendants from Mississippi,” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw added that she was very pleased with the community involvement and support of the event.

“The Butler County Historical Society very much appreciates the support of the Alabama Historical Association in these Bicentennial projects, as we celebrate and honor 200 years of county and state history,” she said.

Gayle Thomas also spoke on behalf of the Alabama Historical Association.

“The Alabama Historical Association appreciates the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society’s dedication to preserving Butler County history,” Thomas said. “The continuing historical marker efforts by your Historical Society are an important part of preserving local history.”

Continuing its efforts in preserving the history of Butler County, the Historical & Genealogical Society plans to host more events in the upcoming year.

“Not only does our state have a Bicentennial in 2019, but also on Dec. 13, 2019, Butler County will be celebrating its own Bicentennial birthday,” Thomas added. “The Alabama Historical Association commends the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society as a strong leader and major participant in both of these 200th birthday celebrations. Keep up the good work.”

Crenshaw and other members of the society are looking forward to the upcoming events.

“Our next historical marker will be to the Creek Indians of Butler County, hopefully to be ready for installation and dedication in July 2018,” she said. “Our July 29 program will include a presentation by Judge Trip McGuire’s on the famous mixed-blood Creek leader, William Weatherford, also called ‘Red Eagle.’”