Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Alabama Central Female College Alabama Corps Of Cadets Defends Tuscaloosa Alpha Delta Pi Amelia Gayle Gorgas Arthur P. Bagby Autherine Lucy Foster B.B. Comer Hall, 1908 Belcher House Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) Benjamin Fitzpatrick Bessemer Sewer System Blower House Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church Brown's Dollar Store Bryce Hospital Bryce Hospital Cemetery #2 Burns’ Shoals Cane Creek School Capitol Park Captain Benjamin F. Eddins Castle Hill - Daly Bottom Community Chabannes - Sealy House Charles Jefferson Stewart House Christ Episcopal Church Civil War Site 1861-1865 Clement Comer Clay Coker Baptist Church Coker Community Cemetery Delta Kappa Epsilon Denny Chimes Druid City Hospital School Of Nursing Eighth Iowa Cavalry First African Baptist Church First Baptist Church First Papermaking In Alabama First Presbyterian Church Fowler House  French 75 Millimeter Feldhase Gabriel Moore Gorgas House Greenwood Cemetery Gun from the U.S.S. Tuscaloosa Historic Site Home Guard Defended Covered Bridge / Bridging The Black Warrior River Honor Roll of Soldiers and Patriots Horace King "Hot Pot", Ensley Works Howard-Linton Barbershop Hugh McVay John Gayle John Murphy Joshua L. Martin Kappa Delta Lynching in America / Lynching in Tuscaloosa County M60A3 TTS Medium Tank Malone Hood Plaza Margaret M. DuPont Marr’s Spring Masons Marks Maxwell Hall Medeiros Point Morgan Hall, 1910 Nail House Navigation and Shipbuilding On The Black Warrior River Northport First United Methodist Church Old Bryce Cemetery Old Center Church Old Country Church Old Tavern Oliver-Barnard Hall Peel House Phi Gamma Delta Theta Chapter House Pipe DL & CO 1889 Replica Gates for Northington General Hospital Rotunda Plaza Samuel B. Moore Shirley Place Shockly’s Escort Company Of Cavalry Sigma Alpha Epsilon Site Of Franklin Hall Site of Queen City Park Softball Field Site Of The Stand In The Schoolhouse Door / Foster Auditorium, 1939 Smith Hall, 1908 St. John The Baptist Catholic Church Stillman College Storrs Cadet Troop Tannehill Furnace And Foundry Tannehill Furnaces Tannehill Ironworks The Architect The Black Warrior River The Collins House The Friedman Home The Gorgas-Manly Historic District The Jemison Home The Little Round House The M & O Railroad Trestle The President's Mansion The University of Alabama School of Law The Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Tuomey Hall Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa City Hall Tuscaloosa County Veterans Memorial Tuscaloosa First United Methodist Church Tushkalusa U.S.S. Tuscaloosa (CA 37) University Club University of Alabama University of Alabama Civil War Memorial University of Alabama’s Slavery Apology Vought A-7E Corsair II Willys Jeep Woods Hall, 1868 Woodward Post Office  “The Indian Fires Are Going Out”
Tuscaloosa County, located in the state of Alabama, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Choctaw and Chickasaw, who relied on the fertile land for farming and hunting. The first Europeans arrived in the 16th century, with Hernando de Soto exploring the region in 1540 and establishing contact with the native tribes.

In 1816, Tuscaloosa County was officially created and named after the Native American Chief Tuskaloosa. The county became an important hub for cotton production and trade in the antebellum South, thanks to its fertile soil and proximity to major rivers. Plantations thrived, and enslaved individuals played a crucial role in the development of the region's economy.

During the Civil War, Tuscaloosa County experienced the impact of the conflict as it fell under Union control in 1865. The county faced significant challenges during the Reconstruction era, as the economy struggled to recover and racial tensions persisted. However, the county gradually rebuilt its infrastructure and saw the emergence of industries such as coal mining and timber.

In the 20th century, Tuscaloosa County entered a new era of growth and development. The expansion of the University of Alabama, founded in Tuscaloosa in 1831, brought increased population and economic opportunities. The county also became an important center for automotive manufacturing, with the establishment of factories by companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Michelin.

Today, Tuscaloosa County is a vibrant and culturally diverse region, known for its strong sense of community and bustling downtown area. Its history is celebrated through various historical sites and museums, offering visitors and residents a glimpse into the county's past while embracing the opportunities of the present.
Brief timeline of the history of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama:

  • Early 1800s: Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Creek, inhabit the area that is now Tuscaloosa County.
  • 1813: Andrew Jackson leads the American forces in the Battle of Talladega against the Creek Nation near present-day Tuscaloosa County.
  • 1817: Tuscaloosa County is established by the Alabama Territorial Legislature.
  • 1826: Tuscaloosa becomes the state capital of Alabama.
  • 1831: The University of Alabama is founded in Tuscaloosa.
  • April 27, 2011: A devastating EF4 tornado strikes Tuscaloosa County and the city of Tuscaloosa, causing significant damage and loss of life.
  • Present: Tuscaloosa County is a vibrant community with a diverse economy, thriving education institutions, and rich cultural heritage.

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