Foley

History

Foley was named for its founder, John B. Foley of Chicago. As Foley was traveling to President William McKinley's funeral in 1901, he met a railroad agent who told him of the area in South Baldwin County. Foley came down the following year, and liked what he saw, buying between and of land. He then returned to Chicago and formed the Magnolia Springs Land Company, currently known as the Magnolia Land Company. As he began to sell off acreage, he realized the need for a better way for the people to come to Foley. Foley used some of his own money to lay the rails so the train could come from Bay Minette. The first railroad station was built in 1905. The original station burned in 1908 and was replaced the following year by the station that is now the city's museum. John Foley donated parcels of land for a school, railroad station, park and churches. These included the current Catholic Church, Saint Margaret of Scotland, the Baptist church and the Methodist church. He also invested in a hotel, a demonstration farm, a bank and the utility company. The first train to service Foley was a wood burner called the "Pine Knot Special." It would leave Foley in the morning and make a return trip in the afternoon. As people cleared the land, they would place lighter knots in a wood box for the engineer to use as was needed. Foley was incorporated in 1915 with G. I. Weatherly serving as its first mayor. Nowadays, the city of Foley is known for its annual toy drive that takes place every year on June 25 to help the local children who are in need. Thousands of donations are made and it really helps children whose families are struggling financially and it gives the kids something to look forward to when it's summertime and school isn't in session.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and 0.4% is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Foley High School
  High · Foley · 1,578 students · 18.3:1 ratio
• Gulf Shores Elementary School
  Elementary · Gulf Shores · 1,062 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• Foley Elementary School
  Elementary · Foley · 992 students · 14.2:1 ratio
• Florence B Mathis Elementary
  Elementary · Foley · 915 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• Magnolia School
  Elementary · Foley · 894 students · 16.3:1 ratio
• Elberta Elementary School
  Elementary · Elberta · 884 students · 17.3:1 ratio
• Gulf Shores High School
  High · Gulf Shores · 799 students · 16:1 ratio
• Elberta High School
  High · Elberta · 784 students · 18.7:1 ratio