On a recent road trip, I came across the tiny-but-quaint Repton, a Conecuh County town with a population of 282. The town, incorporated in 1899, was once home to the only hospital between Selma, Ala., and Century, Fla. At its peak, the town had about 422 residents. Despite the fact that much of the old business district has collapsed, it was obvious residents were making an effort to save the historic buildings. Two businesses, one selling farm-fresh eggs and spices and homemade jellies and crafts, and another selling antiques, have opened in the strip along the railroad tracks. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
In 2004, residents established the Repton Restoration Society “in an attempt to breathe new life into what used to be a busy, thriving little railroad town," a historical marker says. The old business district is made up only of this strip of buildings across the street from the railroad tracks.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
"Repton used to boast several banks, hotels, stores, livery stable, cotton gin, the only hospital between Selma and Pensacola with the only board-certified surgeon in the surrounding area and one heck of an athletic & academic program at Repton High School,” according to the Town of Repton website.
(Source: Town of Repton)
Repton High School, which now houses the junior high school shown above, closed in 1989 when Conecuh County Schools consolidated all its schools into one county high school. The website says, “The citizens of Repton and Castleberry fought against this consolidation but with no success.” The Town of Repton website says, “Repton High School was established in 1885, having its first graduating class in 1918. It had a long history and reputation for excellent academics and athletics. Although, Repton is a small town, the Repton Bulldogs were feared on the football field and basketball court all over the state.”
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Repton’s main claim to fame was a once-renowned hospital located inside an old family home. The house was built in nearby Belleville the 1800s as the home for Decatur Moorer and his family. The photo above shows the home, now empty, that once housed Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The home was purchased by Charles and Daisy Carter in the early 1900s and moved from Belleville to Repton. The couple later sold the home to their son, Dr. William R. Carter, who opened it as a private hospital in July 1935.
The website says, “The [Monroe Journal] boasted that it was a ‘state of the art’ facility with a new X-Ray machine, along with lighting in the operating room that was equipped with a car battery as back up in case of electricity failure.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The side of Carter Hospital.
(Source: Town of Repton)
In 1938, Carter, known affectionately as “Doc,” remodeled the hospital to its current form.
“By the middle of the 1950s, Evergreen and Monroeville had new hospitals, so Doc closed Carter Hospital and continued to practice from his office in downtown Repton, as well as both hospitals, the website says. “When he closed the hospital, he simply shut the door and turned the key. Everything is still as it was left in the 1950s.” The interior is shown above.
(Source: Town of Repton)
Inside Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The hospital is now owned by Doc Carter's son, William R. Carter Jr. Carter opens the home to the public two or three times a year. You can check the events page at ReptonAlabama.com for tour dates. The hospital office is shown above.
(Source: Town of Repton)
Inside Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
An outbuilding behind Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
An outbuilding behind Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Bottles behind Carter Hospital.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Downtown Repton. The town, established in the 1899, now has two businesses, a Mason’s hall and an event center in its old business district along the railroad tracks. The remaining buildings are abandoned, shown above, and the roof of at least one has collapsed. A group of citizens is working to revitalize the area and draw more businesses.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Harvest Pantry, above, opened recently in downtown Repton, one of only two businesses in the old business district. The store sells fresh and homemade goods from Ballard Farms, including eggs, honey, syrup, a variety of jellies, herbs and spices and local produce.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Harvest Pantry, shown above, also sells craft items made in the area, such as rings made from Alabama quarters, pot holders, candles, Auburn and Alabama collectibles and handmade wooden crates filled with jellies and kitchen implements. A group of citizens is working to revitalize the area and draw more businesses.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Inside the Harvest Pantry store in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Inside the Harvest Pantry store in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Inside the Harvest Pantry store in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Inside the Harvest Pantry store in Repton.
(Source: Town of Repton)
The Cottage Antiques in downtown Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The Cottage Antiques.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
This building houses Cottage Antiques.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The Masonic Lodge in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The street signs in Repton have welcoming messages.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Abandoned school that once served Repton. Today, Repton has a junior high school but the high school consolidated into Conecuh County High in 1989.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Abandoned school in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Historical marker in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
These flags and crosses, each inscribed with the name of a local veteran, were erected along Repton’s roads for Veterans Day.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Downtown Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
A picnic area was set up inside the walls of an old building whose interior had been demolished.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
This building was re-purposed as a civic center.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
The civic center.
(Source: Town of Repton)
Repton Town Hall.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
A sign painted on the sign of an empty building in downtown Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
A fountain beside the railroad tracks in downtown Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
One of several buildings in Repton that have collapsed.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Collapsed building.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Another collapsed building has metal ornamentation.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
A park between buildings in downtown Repton.
(Source: Town of Repton)
South Forty restaurant in Repton.
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Town of Repton
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