Ernest Berry Gaston
Gaston was an Iowa journalist who established Fairhope in 1894. The model community was based on what he called "cooperative individualism". He sought to balance individualism and state socialism by advocating public ownership and operation of transportation, utilities, and educational facilites; leaving the individual free to exploit the areas of production and distribution. His goal was a society that would allow, even encourage, individual initiative while also promoting cooperative ventures.
Gaston, along with a group of like-minded friends, formed The Fairhope Industrial Association. The charter of the group was "to establish and conduct a model community or colony, free from all forms of private monopoly, and secure to its members therein, equality of opportunity, the full reward of individual efforts, and the benefits of co-operation in matters of general concern." From these beginnings, and leaning heavily on Henry George's book Progrees and Poverty , the Fairhope Single Tax Colony was formed. Following George's ideas, the colony offered 99 year leases, free of charge. The lessee paing an annual single tax on the land value to the colony and the colony then paid the local, county, and state property taxes.
The founding families of the colony arrived on November 15,1894. This group consisted of 19 adults and 9 children. By 1900, the population was 100. Shops prosepered and permanent homes were evident.
In 1904, the Fairhope Single Tax Corportaion was formed from the Fairhope Industrial Association. Gaston was secretary of th colony for 41 years. He also served as editor of the newspaper, the Fairhope Courier until his death in 1937.
Sources:
University of Alabama Center for Public TV and Radio