The community was named after an enormous poplar tree that once stood in the area; hollowed out, it supposedly served not only as a barn for livestock, but also as shelter for Confederate Soldiers traveling through the area during the American Civil War.[1][4] Originally called "Hollow Poplar," a post office was established in 1872 of the same name; but in 1892, both the community and post office became simply Poplar.[5] In 1902, the South & Western Railroad established rail service in the area (today CSX).[6] In 1949, the Post Office closed and combined with the Relief Post Office.[7][8]
