In 1872, Father A. J. Houser, director of the Homestead Society of Cincinnati, Ohio, founded St. Florian. He subdivided the land for German immigrants who became independent landowners, built homes, and reared their families. Many descendants of that small group of immigrants still live in the community, some in the original homes, while other descendants are scattered throughout the United States. The St. Florian Historic District was included in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in September 2007.