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Rural Southwest Alabama: Attractions

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The Coffin Shop at Gainesville, AL (built ca. 1860-1870)

Antebellum | Gainesville in Sumter County  

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This was the showroom for coffins of builder, Edward Kring. Here you would pick out your material and wood for your coffin which would then be custom built. Mr. Kring was probably the busiest builder in Gainesville in the 1870s, building both the Methodist and Episcopal Churches as well as several homes and businesses. It appears that he built a large portion of the businesses downtown based on old pictures. Mr. Kring had a large workshop at the rear of the Coffin Shop and also a large barn or warehouse to store materials.

The Coffin Shop was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on October 29, 1985. It is located at downtown Gainestown, AL on the east side of Highway 39 approximately 0.2 miles south of the river bridge (32°49’17.5″N 88°09’30.0″W – Google Maps).

Sources: 1) Gainesville Tour Guide; 2) NRHP “The Coffin Shop” Form.

Tags: alabama, antebellum, black belt, gainesville, sumter county

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About This Website

Welcome to rural southwest Alabama. This website is dedicated to twelve counties located in rural southwest Alabama which includes a large portion of Alabama’s Black Belt area. This region is known for its rich and diverse heritage, historic homes and churches, and natural beauty. This website contains details about historic and interesting places that you will find in this area of Alabama.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE HOMES INCLUDED ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARE DRIVE BY ONLY.

We hope that you enjoy this website.

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Dedicated to the memory of Stacy Milstead Henson (1978-2008) & Inez “Sis” Watts (1924-2007).

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