Railroad stop on U.S. 72
Steel barns and roofing for Gurley, a railroad town in east Madison County
Gurley is a small town on U.S. Route 72 in eastern Madison County, far from the suburban bustle around Huntsville. Open land and old buildings shape what people ask about here.
We have one office, in Blountsville. We do not have an office in Gurley.
A town that started at a water tank
The Gurley family settled the area in 1817, and the community grew around a Memphis and Charleston Railroad water and coaling station called Gurley's Tank. The town was established in 1891, and the 2020 Census counted 816 residents.[2]
A town this size sits among larger rural lots, with Huntsville 16 miles west and Scottsboro 26 miles east. Many properties here suit a workshop, a pole barn or a barndominium, subject to your site and the local permitting office.[2]
Gurley history and place
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A fire in 1923 destroyed most of the business district, and a bucket brigade saved only two businesses.[2]
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The Gurley Historic District, which includes the Old Gurley Town Hall, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 2, 2004.[2]
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The post office opened in 1866 and the name moved from Gurleysville to Gurley.[2]
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Gurley covers 3.6 square miles, all land, along U.S. Route 72.[2]
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Madison County High School moved to a new building west of town on U.S. 72 in 1999.[2]
Gurley questions about rural building
General information. Every project is different, so call us about yours.
Is a small pole barn enough for a hobby farm near Gurley?
Many small farms use a pole barn for tractors, hay and tools, and sizes are scaled to your budget and land. It depends on what you plan to store.[2]
I own an older building near the historic district. Could metal siding refresh it?
Metal siding and roofing are used on older structures that need protection. Buildings in a historic district may have review requirements, so check with the town first.[2]
Can a barndominium work on a few acres along Highway 72?
Barndominiums are popular on rural lots, and layouts are tailored to the owner. Access, utilities and county permitting all matter, so start there.[2]
What if I just want to compare materials and costs before calling?
RBC has price lists for lumber, trusses, doors, insulation, sheathing and trim, and prices are subject to change. Look through them, then call with questions.[2]
Talk about a Gurley barn or workshop
Call (205) 429-4411 to talk about your Gurley property. We will listen to what you have in mind, with no promises.
Sources
Local details on this page come from these public sources, checked in October 2026.