Founded in 1898. Forever Changed on May 27, 1973
The City of Brent was founded in 1898 in the southern portion of Bibb County along the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Rail Line. The Town was named after Mr. Brent H. Armstrong, a surveyor for the railroad. Brent was later incorporated in 1913. The mayor-council form of government began under the administration of Mayor a. J. Hardin. Other Council members of the original administration included H. V. Faucet, W.E. Hobson, Jr., John T. Martin, J. W. Thompson and J.S. Yeager. The original census of 250 citizens has grown to exceed 3,500, making Brent the largest municipality in the county in 2009.
This site is dedicated to the people of Brent whose lives were forever changed by a devastating tornado on May 27, 1973. Five lives were lost: Birdie Mae Doolittle, Tom Green, Bertha Ann Hill, Robert Tilden Hobson, and Andrew Mitchell. They say heroes are made not born and this was a night many heroes were made.
A bench offers visitors a place to sit and contemplate the change brought on by this tornado. It sits facing highway 25 which was adjacent to the front of Brent Drugs, H & S. Auto Parts and Ward Mercantile. These businesses either don’t exist or have moved after the storm. Nearby, trees have been planted to provide shade for the future of Brent.
Congrats to WFD142 for FTF!