The origin of the name dates back to a Baptist church organized by “Uncle” Sammie Rorex in 1870.

The community was shaped by people like Mrs. I. E. Estes. Mrs Estes deeded 10 acres of land for the purpose of a school campus. C. T. Starkley and Jesse Ambrester influenced the Baptist Home Mission Board to establish a school, which was named Beeson academy. This academy was named after J.J. Beeson. He taught and preached in the area from 1881 until his death in 1896.

The first school was built in 1869 and was a school--house and a church in one. John Ambrester and his sister Mary Ann were the first teachers.