Prairie Bluff, located in Wilcox County, Alabama, is a ghost town that once thrived in the early 19th century. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Alabama River, it played a significant role in river trade during its peak. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Wilcox
Zip Code: 36726
Latitude / Longitude: 32.13431°N, 87.40361°W
Elevation: 141 ft (43 m)
Time Zone: Central (CST) (UTC-6)
Established: 1819
Disestablished: Around 1900
Comments: Prairie Bluff first appeared on maps in 1819, the same year Alabama was admitted to the Union. It was erroneously listed as “Prairie Blue” on Fielding Lucas’ 1822 map but was correctly named “Prairie Bluff” on subsequent maps.
The town was also known as Dale or Daletown in the 1830s to mid-1850s. Situated atop a cliff, it grew as river trade increased, featuring a large cotton slide used to move bales from the cliff to paddle steamers below. The town declined rapidly after 1861 due to new railroads and disappeared from maps around 1900.
Remains: The only visible feature that remains is the Prairie Bluff Cemetery, which is desolate and in need of cleanup. The cemetery is located within the Alberta Census County Division at latitude 32.1376 and longitude -87.4094.
Current Status: Prairie Bluff is considered a ghost town with no remaining active community. The existing cemetery serves as a historical remnant of its past significance.
Remarks: The decline of Prairie Bluff is attributed to the advent of railroads, which shifted trade routes away from river towns. Despite its decline, the town’s history remains a testament to the early river trade era in Alabama.
