Barbour County, Alabama

Barbour County / Early Barbour County Commissioners Barbour County High School Barbour County's "Little Scotland"/Pea River Presbyterian Church Batesville Church - 1837 Blue Springs School 1920-1969 Central Railroad of Georgia Freight Depot Charles Samuel McDowell, Jr. Chauncey Sparks Chief Eufaula (Yoholo Micco) Clio Heritage Mural Comrades Confederate Hospital Cotton and Creek Country Cowikee Cotton Mills Creek Indian Removal Dedicated to Memory of African Slaves Election Riot of 1874 Eufaula Eufaula First United Methodist Church Eufaula-Montgomery Roadway Fendall Hall / Young and Dent Fire Bell First Baptist Church of Eufaula First Presbyterian Church Fort Browder / 15th Alabama Infantry Fort Browder / 15th Alabama Infantry Freemount Junior High School General Grierson’s March George Corley Wallace, Lurleen Burns Wallace Governors of Alabama Governors Park Grace Episcopal Church Hart House History of Clayton, Alabama/Clayton’s Architectural Heritage In Honor of All World War II Veterans In Loving Memory of the Clayton Soldiers of the World War Jere Locke Beasley Louisville Louisville and "Old Alabama" Louisville World War II Memorial Miller – Martin Townhouse Octagon House Old Fairview Cemetery Old Negro Cemetery / Fairview Cemetery Pea River Electric Membership Corporation Pea River Presbyterian Church Cemetery Providence Methodist Church & Schoolhouse Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery Spring Hill United Methodist Church The Battles of Hobdy's Bridge and Pea River The City of Eufaula The Creek Town of Eufaula The Old County Court House The Opening of the Second Phase of the Second Creek War The Second Creek War in the Eufaula Area The St. Julian Hotel The Town of Irwinton The Tree That Owns Itself Union Baptist Church Cemetery Veterans Memorial Vietnam Veteran Park White Oak United Methodist Church William Dorsey Jelks Governor of Alabama William Thomas "Tom" Mann / Eufaula, Alabama World War I Doughboy
Barbour County, located in southeastern Alabama, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1832. The region was originally inhabited by the Creek Native American tribe, until the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced them to relocate westward. The county was named after James Barbour, a U.S. senator and 18th-century Virginia governor.

In the early years, Barbour County's economy was predominantly driven by agriculture. Plantations were established, with cotton being the primary crop cultivated by enslaved African Americans. The county thrived during the antebellum period, but the Civil War brought significant changes. Barbour County experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, with battles taking place in nearby areas and the decline of the plantation system.

Following the war, Barbour County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy shifted to focus on timber, mining, and manufacturing, particularly with the establishment of sawmills. The railroad industry also played a crucial role in developing the county, linking it to other parts of Alabama and facilitating trade and transportation.

During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Barbour County became a site of significant activism and resistance. African Americans, led by prominent local leaders including William T. Baxley and J.L. Chestnut Jr., fought for equal rights and against racial segregation. These efforts led to notable achievements, such as the desegregation of public facilities and the increase in African American political representation.

Today, Barbour County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and forestry as important sectors of the local economy. The county's history is celebrated through various heritage festivals and events, reflecting the diverse cultures and influences that have shaped its past.
Brief timeline of the history of Barbour County, Alabama:

  • 1832 - Barbour County is created by an act of the Alabama State Legislature.
  • 1833 - The county seat is established in Louisville, Alabama.
  • 1834 - The first courthouse is completed in Louisville.
  • 1863 - During the American Civil War, the county is occupied by Union troops.
  • 1868 - The county seat is moved from Louisville to Clayton.
  • 1893 - The first railroad, the Alabama Midland Railway, is completed in the county.
  • 1903 - The town of Eufaula becomes the largest city in Barbour County.
  • 1929 - The Great Depression begins, negatively affecting the county's economy.
  • 1941 - Barbour County contributes soldiers to World War II.
  • 1965 - Civil rights activism takes place in the county during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
  • 2000 - Barbour County's population reaches its peak at over 29,000 residents.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Barbour County, Alabama.