History of Phil Campbell
In the 1880s, a railroad work crew leader and engineer by the name of Phillip Campbell (originally from England) established a work camp near the location of modern Phil Campbell. Mel Allen, a prominent local businessman, told Mr. Campbell if he would construct a railroad depot and add a side track to the stretch of railroad going through the area, he would name the subsequent town after Campbell. Mr. Campbell built both the depot and siding, which led to Phil Campbell being the only town in Alabama to have both the first and last names of an individual. The first school in Phil Campbell was a two story frame building constructed in 1910. It was located at the back of the Phil Campbell Methodist Church. The school was subsequently destroyed by fire. The second School was constructed in 1915 and was located at the site of the present school on Alabama State Route 13 in Phil Campbell. This school was a small wooden building. Like the previous school, this school was also destroyed by fire. The fire began at six o’clock in the evening on Christmas Day, 1924. During the next two years, school was held in local church buildings, the town’s former bank building, and the U.S. Post office building located near the railroad. Graduation services for the first accredited Phil Campbell High School class were conducted in the Phil Campbell Methodist Church. The year was 1926 and the class had eight graduating member. The third Phil Campbell school was completed in 1926. There were two buildings, a main classroom building and a vocational school. After the main building was destroyed by fire in 1954, the present school buildings were constructed.
On April 27, 2011, the town suffered extensive damage from a swift moving tornado. The tornado was classified as an EF-5 with 210 mph winds. The tornado damaged many buildings in and around the main part of town. Twenty-six people lost their lives. The town was also affected by an F5 tornado on April 3, 1974.
Town of Phil Campbell Historical Photos
Phil Campbell 1920
Ezra Vergil Brown Livery Stable - 1900s
Dr. NP Underwood
Phil Campbell First County Champs
Jr. Brown Gin
Phil Campbell Residents - Early 1900s
Phil Campbell School - 1915
Dr. Frank Stewart, Dentist
Phil Campbell Snow - 1960
Phil Campbell Train
WB Oliver General Store - 1930s
Phil Campbell Depot
Dr. Sherman