Program

Great American Rail-Trail

Subject

Site

Location

122 S Center Ave, Piedmont, AL 36272, USA

Lat/Long

33.922535821897, -85.611046777427

Grant Recipient

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

The Cross Roads marks the historic convergence of Indigenous trails, stagecoach roads, and later railroads in what became the town of Cross Plains, located in present‑day Calhoun County, Alabama. Indigenous peoples first inhabited the land, establishing well‑used trading routes and paths through the area, which was originally part of the Creek (Muscogee) Nation and later became Cherokee territory by 1833.

Following the forced removal of these Indigenous groups, white settlers established the town of Cross Plains in 1851. As transportation networks expanded, the crossroads gained importance; by 1886, two major railroads—the East and West Railroad of Alabama and the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad—intersected there. The town also served as a regional mail center, featuring a post office by 1871 and stagecoach mail service that increased in frequency by the early 20th century.

In 1888, Cross Plains was renamed Piedmont, reflecting its location at the foot of the Appalachian foothills and distinguishing it from other towns with the same name. The center of Piedmont was marked by a public well that defined the community’s core, with town limits extending half a mile outward. At the time, Piedmont had a population of approximately 1,700 and was known for its agricultural community, mineral resources, and developing industries. Today, the Chief Ladiga Trail runs through the historic Cross Roads, preserving its legacy as a longstanding center of transportation.