Romulus, Alabama, appeared on the Bradford Maps in 1835 and 1938, making it one of the oldest communities in Tuscaloosa County. Its population was almost 700 in 1880 and almost 800 in 1900. The name was believed to come from Romulus and Remus of Roman mythology, with Romulus considered by Romans to be their first king. Artifacts found along the rivers and creeks document the area as home to large Indian communities. Early census records show farming as the principal occupation. By 1831, John Sanders' Ferry was operating across the Black Warrior River, and the first post office was established on May 30, 1835, with John Sanders as postmaster. New Hope Baptist Church was established in 1839, Romulus Methodist in 1867, Holly Springs in 1936, Piney Grove in 1943, and Washington Temple in 1955. Romulus also had a telephone system, numerous stores, a planer mill, pottery mills, grist mills, cotton gins, and the Sipsey Valley Lumber Company store, commissary, and hotel along the Dinky Railroad Lines.