Kowaliga

Alabama's ghost towns are iron and coal towns around Birmingham and cotton ports the railroads replaced.

Kowaliga, also known as Kowaliga Industrial Community and Benson, was a former unincorporated village and historically African-American community active from roughly 1890 until 1926, and located in Elmore County and later Tallapoosa County in Alabama, United States. The area started as a Muscogee tribal land of the same name and in the same location. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the African American community was founded by John Jackson Benson with support from his son William E. Benson.

The on-the-ground condition of Kowaliga is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Kowaliga is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Kowaliga is roughly 32.7400, -85.9692 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.