Century, like most southern towns
at the turn of the century, was
segregated. There were two
separate communities, a black
community and a white
community. Each community
had its own school, church,
recreation building and hotel.
The black and white community
shared the hospital, post office,
doctor and most importantly, the
mill. Even though the blacks and
whites shared many things, a
sense of inferiority and a practice
of discrimination existed (among
the blacks).

However, from the interviews, Blacks did not appear angry at the past. To many of the citizens, the old days included peace, goodness, and isolation. An old retired Negro worker summed up the situation by saying that he'd "rather live in his old mill town than go to heaven." When asked why, he said, "Well, you have to die to go to heaven but if you abide by the company rules, you can live and stay." But a younger Centurion stated one of his memorable pastimes was going to Flomaton Junction and
watching the trains come in. The number four train was the one going north and they, the blacks, would dream of getting on board and going North away from Century.