REMEMBERING THE WAY IT WAS!

• Semmes  one room school has been used as a classroom, library and counselor's office.
• When boys were coon hunting in the woods near Allentown cemetery, they could hear music being played on a piano.  One young man who loved music knocked on the door and asked if he could come in and listen. The gentleman playing told him to come back the next day.  When he returned, he was given a private concert by the gentleman who was a  concert pianist ,  dressed in his concert tuxedo.
• Allentown was founded in 1879.  James Allen homesteaded and built a town that had a church, school, store,  blacksmith shop and cemetery.  The Cemetery remains today.
• A trail was used by early settlers and Indians that ran through Allentown close to the Cemetery.
• The first man buried in Allentown Cemetery was a traveler who died on the trail.  His name was never known.
• The Indians used the trail to go down to the sea to get salt.  They borrowed pots from the settlers, went down to the sea where they boil the salt  water until all that was left in the pot was salt.  The salt looked brown because of the pots used.  They returned the pots with a portion of salt to pay for the loan of the pots.
• Indian Springs on Lott Rd. was an Indian Trail.  On the trail were springs that the Indians camped by in their travels and so it was named Indian Springs.
• Semmes was once known as Albritton Precinct. The Legislation divided  Mobile County into three precincts for the establishment of roads and bridges.
• Congress established post roads.  A line of numbered posts were set up along what is known today as Highway 98.  Dependable deputies were appointed to deliver the mail to the designated post.  The first mail box was a pouch attached to the mile post.
• The first post office in Semmes was established around 1890-1893 with D. O. McCrary the first post master.
• With the coming of the railroad, mail was delivered by the train to the train depot.
• Land patents given to homesteaders for land can be researched through the Bureau of Land Management .  Semmes  is located in township 3 Range 3.
• Social activities centered around the church and school.  There were camp meetings, singings, programs at the school, church, oyster suppers, ice creme socials and picnics.  Sunday afternoon buggy rides were used for courting (dating)..
• A bench in front of McCrary's store was the gathering place  on Saturday night to play and sing music.
• If you got in trouble at school, you got in trouble when you got home.  You were to respect your elders. 
• America is/was a melting pot of many cultures. You should be proud to be an American.
• Your right should not interfere with someone else rights.
• You didn't have to lock your door.
• A man's word was his bond. He would do what he said he would do. A handshake made a contract.
• Most of the community feared  God.  It was Good to be good.
• Manners required children to say yes Ma'am, yes sir, no sir, no Ma'am and  thank you. .  You always put handles on all adult names, Miss Beth, Mr Sam. Aunt Mary.
• Children were to be seen and not heard.
• It was good to work.  Children had chores to do before and after school.
• Recess time at school  was enjoyed by all, jumping rope, playing marbles, spinning tops, hop scotch, roll the hoop,  and sack races.  Everyone looked out for each other.