Around 1913, the Semet-Solvay Company, a Belgian owned company, opened a coal mine in this area. Their coal camp was called Toland. The Belfry coal town quickly sprang up. About this same time, the railroad--Norfolk and Western--was being extended to McVeigh.
The Runyons and Smiths were some of the early settlers in the area. Alan Smith was said to have traded a pair of mules for fifteen acres of land in the middle of Belfry. When the post office opened in 1921, the town was called Epp. The name of Belfry came into use around 1926.
The Scott-Nickel Bus company ran between Williamson and McVeigh from about 1938 to 1940.
Dr. Jeff Smith is remembered by many residents as the local doctor who rode his mule through the community.
The Top Hat Grill was once a popular place for Belfry Students during lunch period and after ball games.
Rudolph Layne operated a service station in Belfry-- a full service station at that!
In 1976, a four lane highway was built through the community, taking many of the former coal camp houses.
Russell Rogers, a native of Shelby County opened Rogers Funeral Home in 1951.
The S.T.L.P. group , Mr. Jim Hunt and Mrs. Preece will be organizing an inside look at our commuity!.
We will be moving our belongings in shortly. In the meantime why not check out the link below to get your own 20MB of free webspace - www.fortunecity.com
Mr.Jim Hunt's AP Psychology Class will visit the Senior Citizen Program to interview folks from Our Town.
Chris Hughes will research the Turkey Creek Area.
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