By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Staff Writer

VINCENT—The Arkwright Heritage Area in Vincent will be recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution with the dedication of a historic marker on Oct. 11.

The town of Arkwright, founded in 1907, was once a “thriving town” with a slew of businesses including a furniture store and a bank, according to Anne Gibbons, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s General Sumter Chapter, who nominated the area for the marker.

“It’s such a historic place in the state of Alabama,” Gibbons said. “The railroad and natural boundaries protected it from civilization coming in.”

Gibbons noted that one historic site in the area was dated to 1,000 B.C.

“At the same time King David in the Bible was living, we had people living in this area,” she said.

The Arkwright Heritage Area has received a number of other recognitions. On Aug. 25, 2011 the Alabama Historical Commission created the Arkwright Heritage Area.

On July 31, the National Park Service judged five of the sites in the area eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

In order to qualify for the NSDAR marker, 13 historic sites in the area were submitted, which the NSDAR then verified.

The historic marker, donated by the General Sumter Chapter of the NSDAR, is “a very beautiful maker on a substantial stand” and will be placed at the Brown House.

“This day is going to be a big celebration with national DAR officers and people from all over the state,” Gibbons said.

Following the dedication, which will take place at 2 p.m., there will be a reception at the Arkwright Baptist church and a bus tour of the area.

“We think it’s going to be a really special day,” Gibbons said. “It’s just like a meeting in the country.”