A Brief History of Steele

The area that would become Steele was first settled in the early 1800s. Growth came later in the 19th century with the arrival of the railroad, which helped establish Steele as a small but active community. The town was named after Joshua Toliver Steele, who donated land for a railroad depot that played a key role in the town’s development.

Early Steele featured churches, schools, mills, and small industries that supported the surrounding agricultural community. After several earlier attempts, Steele was officially incorporated in 1952, securing its place as a recognized Alabama municipality.