Before the construction of Interstate 16, Aline was a busy little village. Today, just a few old stores and a couple of blocks of older homes remain. And it’s pronounced A-LINE. David Robinson writes: I bought the old block building beside the two pictured buildings and chatting around with many of the old timers from that town, Bill Cobb and Sue his wife ran the white painted store and lived in a home behind the store. The old falling down building was another store I think owned by the McKinley family. From what some of the old timers said there were silent movies shown there and it was an old store. At one time Aline had cotton gin, barber shops, grocery stores a large school and several other buildings. HWY 57 was where the rail road ran and the dirt road (partly paved now in “downtown” was located.and remnants od the dirt road can be seen on south of the town.
I have many memories of Aline. Started kindergarden while living there. (Mrs. Ponders) class 1976. In Metter. We had alot of family that lived there. The store that belonged to Mr. & Mrs. Cobb was one of my favorite places to go for candy. I also remember Mrs Nells store down the road (believe its a junk yard now) was where my Daddy an I would stop for Moonpies an a pepsi. The old men would be sitting around watching tv and I can still here the bell that jingled when you walked in the door. Names of those I remember : The Cobbs, Edenfields, Suttons, Mack, Mxkinleys, and Cokers. Most were and are related somehow.
At bills grocery is where I have many childhood memories. I will never forget this place. Rip uncle bill and aunt sue.
Does anyone know where the old school in Aline was located? My grandfather, G.W. Lancaster, taught there around 1928-1930 (?) and my father lived there until he was two. We visited Aline today and could find no trace of it, but assume it would have been near the buildings in the photo. It truly is part of the Vanishing South- so many places on the map fading away, except in the shared memories of those who lived there, and in beautiful photographs, as the one above, by Mr. Brown. Also, I enjoyed your website!
The old school was up beside were now Mt. Olive Church is now. MY father lives in the first house past that church where the pavement turns to dirt……he has an old map of Alone from back in those days I’m sure he would enjoy telling you about it some.
Julie,
I just saw this post (6-14-17) and want to thank you for the reply and information. We hope to take my father back to Aline soon for a visit and will look for the old school, and also may call on your father while there. Thanks again so much for the information! Best wishes! -Christy
I bought the old block building beside the two pictured buildings and chatting around with many of the old timers from that town, Bill Cobb and Sue his wife ran the white painted store and lived in a home behind the store. The old falling down building was another store I think owned by the McKinley family. From what some of the old timers said there were silent movies shown there and it was an old store. At one time Aline had cotton gin, barber shops, grocery stores a large school and several other buildings. HWY 57 was where the rail road ran and the dirt road (partly paved now in “downtown” was located.and remnants od the dirt road can be seen on south of the town.
Thanks for sharing, David. Amazing to think it was that busy at one time. Does anyone know if the name Aline came from the Atlantic Coast Line RR?
My grandma is Madge Mosley. This is one of the most beautiful towns in the country to me. 🙂
Small towns are wonderful and people who don’t have roots or connections to one will never understand. Thanks, Nicky!
I grew up right down the road from this store. Thanks for the memories. It’s so different now going there now.
That was my Aunt and Uncles store
I have a lot of memories in that old store. There names were Bill and Sue Cobb.
I knew bill and his wife very well,
very good People, sold him fishing
tackle. Bill Cobb is his name, I forget
his Wife name at the moment.
both both tried to make the old store work
Her name was sue. They are my aunt and uncle
I was born here in 1947. My parents and my family’s burial site is Cool Spring Cemetery, When I got to the cemetery, we always ride by Aline and yes it is a Vanishing town. My Aunt was Aunt Ella and husband Ned, they are both gone. John and Lula Driggers, gone as well. Bonnell , Harvey Kemp and their son Dwain. I miss them all.
Harvey Kemp built the house where I grew up in Aline.
The white building was Bill’s Grocery. I’m not sure how long the business was open, but I bought snacks and cokes there with my father as a child. I also bought gas there in my teenage years. I’m referring to the 80’s. The store was run by a family that lived right beside the store itself. My grandfather’s farm is only a few miles from the store.
That’s what I’ve heard…The “A” line.