The Lost Treasure of Louina Alabama

The Lost Treasure of Louina Alabama

Louina, sometimes Ole Louina, is a ghost town located 14 miles west of Roanoke and about one mile east of Wadley in Randolph County. Ole Louina was a community during early settlement of Randolph County which was settled after the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814 when the Creek Indians were defeated by General Andrew Jackson. Louina was an important town in Randolph Co.

Louina was named for a wealthy Indian Woman. When she was forced to leave, it was said she put her silver in sacks but they were so heavy, the ponies could not carry the load. Legend said Louina buried some silver but, despite years of digging, none has been found.

The town was founded in 1834 and lasted until about 1905, and at one time was largest town in Randolph County with two churches, 30 homes, eight stores, two schools (one for boys and one for girls), hotels, taverns, saloons, a gristmill, a Masonic Lodge and a Methodist and Baptist Church.

The Randolph County Historical Society has placed a marker at the entrance to the town telling the history of the ghost town.

“One mile North, on the East bank of Tallapoosa River, was located Louina, named for an indian woman who operated a trading post. Settled 1834. It became chief business center in Randolph County with county’s first newspaper, schools for boys and girls, Baptist and Methodist Churches, Masonic Lodge, grist mill, wool factory, and cotton gin. Company of Confederate soldiers organized here August 1, 1861. Last store closed 1902 and post office moved eastward to Concord and named Viola. Among outstanding descendants from Louina’s settlers was U.S. Senator J. Tom Heflin.”