Bryant got its name from W.H. Bryant a farmer and miller.

The first post office was established in 1891.

Some of the first families to settle in the area were:  Hiram Kersey, Richard Reece, William Reece, Joe Potts, P.P. Shattuck, Abb Lively, J.T. Smith, and Colonel Ellis.

One of the early doctors in this area was Dr. F.D. Pierce of Syracuse, New York.

The first sizeable industry was established in Bryant by Dr. Pierce.  He returned to this area from Syracuse to buy 2000 acres of land.  He organized the "North Alabama Coal Co." which operated successfully for many years.

The opening of the coal company proved prosperous for the area.  Mines were opened, the railroad was built and also and incline to assist in getting the coal to the Tennessee River.  There the coal was loaded on barges for shipment.  This gave work to many of the men in the area and lead to a population boom.