On land donated by Ed Crosby, a group of African American community leaders had a well dug in January 1955 to provide the people of Gordonville with running water. The Well was the first black-owned water system in Alabama and initially had just four spigots. Incorporated as the Crosby Water System in 1963, the company's initial board members included Rev. J.C. Lawson, Lee Jackson Sr., R.C. Maye, Coley Whiting, Russell Stallworth, Sidney Logan Sr., J.T. Haynes, Albert Ross, Nap Nelson, and Cornelius Williamson. The system was expanded in the same year to pump water from its 3,000-gallon tank to the homes of the original thirty-nine stock holders. As the community grew, its need for water exceeded the capacity of The Well and the water rights were sold in 1994.