Mentone Springs Hotel is built nearby the springs as a health spa. 1885 - Coal and Iron Ore are discovered. 1888 - The Fort Payne Coal and Iron Company is organized and the Boom begins. The Fort Payne Depot is built. 1893 - Coal and iron deposits play out and a larger vein is discovered in Birmingham's Red Mountain.
Investors pack up and move South.
1900's - Hosiery industry is born in DeKalb County.