Historical Markers in
Colbert County, Alabama

101 Memorial A Chickasaw Planter American Indian History At This Well Barton Hall Belle Mont Birds of North Alabama Bridging Cultures Building a New Future Cherokee High School Chickasaw Hospitality Chickasaw Indian Agency Civil War Skirmish at The Barton Cemetery / Civil War Skirmishes at Barton Clyde Carter House Colbert County Confederate Memorial Colbert County Courthouse Square District Colbert County Gulf War Memorial Colbert County Korean War Memorial Colbert County Persian Gulf War Memorial Colbert County Vietnam War Memorial Colbert County World War I Memorial Colbert County World War II Memorial Colbert Ferry Colbert's Stand Cold Water Falls E.L. Newman Lustron House Ethel Davis Plaza Explore the River First Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church Forest Elders Furnace Hill George Colbert Memorial Gulls Glorious Gulls History of Cherokee History of Leighton History of Leighton United Methodist Church History of Littleville, Alabama History of Muscle Shoals, Alabama History of Sheffield History of Tuscumbia, Alabama Home Sweet Home How Does Wilson Dam Work? Howell & Graves School Howell Thomas Heflin Ivy Green Jackson's Military Road Judge Charles Womble LaGrange College LaGrange College LaGrange Military Academy Levi Colbert Stand Locust Hill Muscle Shoals National Recreational Trail Natural and Cultural Preservation/Protecting Resources Never Forget Garden Nitrate Plant No. 1 Old Railroad Bed Old Railroad Bridge Percy Sledge/Producer Quin Ivy Petrified Conifer Tree / Petrified Lycopod Tree Stump President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Sacred Tears Safe Crossing Sheffield Colored School / Sterling High School Site of Bell Factory Something to Chew on St. John's Episcopal Church The Blues Trail: Mississippi to Alabama The Challenge / The Response The Moon Tree The Old Brick Presbyterian Church The Purple Heart / Military Order of the Purple Heart The Singing River Sculpture The Singing River Sculpture Trace Travelers Trenholm High School Tuscumbia Big Spring Tuscumbia Railway First Railroad west of Alleghenies Tuscumbia's Oakwood Cemetery TVA Goes to War TVA: A History of Progress and Innovation / A Valley of Hardships TVA: Our Enduring Mission/Powering Prosperity U. S. Army M60A3 Main Battle Tank Village One Welcome! Wet, Wild, and Wonderful William Leigh William Winston Home Wilson Dam Wilson Dam and the TVA System Wilson Dam: Cornerstone of the TVA System Wilson Dam: Setting the Stage Winston Cemetery Yellow Fever Epidemic 1878 / The 31 Victims of Yellow Fever Who died in Tuscumbia
Alabama was the first state in the United States to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1836.
Alabama random facts
Colbert County is a county located in the northwestern part of the state of Alabama, United States. It was established on February 6, 1867, and named after two prominent brothers, George and Levi Colbert, who were Chickasaw Indian chiefs. The county was formed from parts of Franklin and Lauderdale counties and was originally part of the Cherokee and Chickasaw nations.

The area that is now Colbert County has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Native American tribes such as the Cherokee and Chickasaw inhabited the region long before the arrival of European settlers. In the 19th century, European settlers began to arrive, establishing towns and communities along the Tennessee River.

One of the most significant events in Colbert County's history was the establishment of the city of Tuscumbia, which was incorporated in 1820. Tuscumbia became an important center of commerce and industry in the region, thanks in part to its strategic location on the Tennessee River. It was also the birthplace of Helen Keller, the renowned author and activist.

During the Civil War, Colbert County was a hotspot of activity due to its proximity to the Tennessee River and its strategic importance for transportation and communication. The area saw multiple battles, including the Battle of Sheffield in 1862. Following the war, the county began to rebuild and diversify its economy, focusing on industries such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Today, Colbert County remains an important part of Alabama's history and economy. It is known for its natural beauty, with the Tennessee River providing ample recreational opportunities. The county is also home to numerous historical sites, including the Helen Keller Birthplace and the Belle Mont Mansion, which showcase the area's rich past.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Colbert County, Alabama.

  • 1818 - Colbert County is created by the Alabama legislature, named after brothers George and Levi Colbert who were prominent Chickasaw Indian chiefs
  • 1820s - European settlers begin to establish communities in the county
  • 1833 - Tuscumbia, the county seat, is incorporated as a town
  • 1850s - Construction of railroads in the county connecting Tuscumbia with other cities and states stimulates economic growth
  • 1861-1865 - Colbert County residents actively participate in the American Civil War
  • 1874 - Tuscumbia becomes a city
  • 1891 - The Tennessee Valley Railroad connects Sheffield, a city in Colbert County, with other parts of Alabama
  • Late 19th century - The county experiences industrial growth with the development of textile mills and iron furnaces
  • 20th century - Manufacturing and industrial sectors continue to drive the county's economy
  • 1968 - The Tennessee Valley Authority completes construction of Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River, providing jobs and electricity to the area
  • Present - Colbert County remains a vital part of Alabama's economic landscape, known for its rich history and natural beauty