Railroad development in Lamar County, Alabama, led to the founding of Sulligent. In April 1886, prospectors traveled up the Butahatchie Valley securing right of way for a railroad connecting Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee. In November 1886, resident engineer Thomas of the Kansas City Railroad made headquarters at G. Bankhead's home, which overlooked the future town site on Colonel G.E. Brown's farm. In August 1887, a depot was established on the Brown farm and the place was named Elliot in honor of Major R.H. Elliott, general superintendent of construction at Bessemer, Alabama. In September 1887, the first through train passed through Elliot carrying high railroad officials, Colonel G.E. Brown began laying off town lots, and the town's name was changed to Sulligent in honor of Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Sargent, two railroad employees. An artesian well on Front Street near the depot became one of the town's main attractions and was declared one of the best mineral waters in the South. Property lots were bought by Rev. G.L. Hewitt, Samuel Loggain, Ogden & Son, Dr. R.J. Redden, R.F. Bankhead, W. Mirk Stone, Wesley Clearman, Murray Cobb, and G.W. Rush, and construction of the town began to get underway. Early daily train service from Birmingham at 11:00 a.m. and from Memphis at 4:30 p.m. became the town's lifeline, while cotton was hauled there, bought by merchants, and shipped by rail. In January 1888, railroad officials changed the depot and town name back to Elliot, but in February 1888 the name changed again to Sulligent. Citizens voted to incorporate in October 1889, and Alex Wall was chosen as mayor in November 1889.