A Walk In The Footsteps of W.A Handley

Captain William Anderson Handley and his family moved from Georgia to Randolph County during the Indian Removal Act when land opened up and this was also during the Alabama Gold Rush, which was also what attracted the family and others to this area. The Railroad Industry was very prosperous during this time and Mr. Handley became a very successful businessman, but later on his business along with many others went out of business because the Civil War stopped the goods from being transferred by the railroad, so he moved to Roanoke to open a new business. His business prospered and he was one of the wealthiest men in Roanoke. He gave land for schools, business and even railroads to be built on and his legacy of generosity and his name will live on in the heart of this town for many, many more years to come. His story taught me that even if I come from a small town like Roanoke, Alabama I can still make something of myself and live to have a prosperous life.