Town of Killen

The area known as Killen in Lauderdale County was settled in the early 1800s. In 1826, Joseph Mason became the first postmaster of the new community called Masonville, later Killen, and the post office remained in operation until 1866. Growth came in the 1830s with construction of the Alabama Canal, built to overcome navigation problems caused by the shoals in the Tennessee River. Construction on the new canal began in 1875, and the 14 1/2-mile canal, with nine locks and a lift of 85 feet, opened on November 10, 1890, later being renamed the Muscle Shoals Canal. Lock six, located just 1/2 mile south of Killen, served as headquarters. The canal had a major economic impact on Killen's development, employing many residents while others supplied raw materials and food. In 1885, 200 men worked there for the Corps of Engineers, and many built homes near their jobs. In 1895, James Sharp Killen built a general store and applied for a post office, submitting three possible names, of which Killen was selected. The post office opened on August 22, 1896, and the Town of Killen was founded. Killen was incorporated and established a police department in 1957, started a fire department in 1962, added a town park in 1976, and established a town library in 1985. The Killen Lions Club was chartered in 1957, and Brooks Elementary, dating to 1908, and Brooks High School, which opened in 1968, are also sources of pride in the area.

Killen, Alabama · United States