National Register Listing

Brewton Historic Commercial District

AL 3 and US 31, Brewton, AL
Local significance of the district:
Commerce; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

commerce architecture
The first known use of the phrase "Roll Tide" was in a 1907 Birmingham News article that referred to the University of Alabama football team. The phrase became a rallying cry for Alabama football fans and is still used today.
Alabama random facts
Escambia County, Alabama has a rich and diverse history. The region that is now known as Escambia County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Creek and Choctaw. European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 1800s, with the establishment of Fort Crawford in 1819 as a trading post. The county was officially created in 1868, named after the Escambia River.

During the mid-19th century, Escambia County experienced a boom in agriculture, particularly cotton. The fertile soil and favorable climate made it an ideal location for farmers to grow and harvest cotton. The county became an important center for cotton production and trading, attracting wealthy plantation owners and merchants.

Escambia County, like much of the South, was heavily affected by the Civil War. Many of its residents joined the Confederate army, with some of the bloodiest battles taking place in and around the county. The aftermath of the war brought significant changes to the area, including economic and social reconstruction.

In the 20th century, Escambia County focused on diversifying its economy beyond agriculture. The timber industry played a prominent role, with large-scale logging and lumber mills driving the local economy. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the 1940s further stimulated economic growth in the county. Today, Escambia County continues to thrive with a mix of agriculture, timber, and manufacturing industries, while preserving its historical significance through landmarks and museums.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Escambia County, Alabama.

  • 1818 - Escambia County, Alabama, is established as one of the original counties of the state.
  • 1820 - The county seat is established in the town of Brewton.
  • 1825 - The first recorded land sale occurs in the county.
  • 1861-1865 - Escambia County, like the rest of the South, is heavily impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1908 - The first car arrives in Escambia County.
  • 1936 - The Alabama State Docks and Terminal Railroad opens, improving transportation in the county.
  • 1961 - The state's first public junior college is established in Brewton as Jefferson Davis State Junior College.
  • 1998 - Jefferson Davis Community College is renamed Coastal Alabama Community College.
  • 2018 - Escambia County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.