Lore Historic District
a.k.a. See Also:82001990;71000093;72000156;72000154;71000095;720001
Bounded by Eufaula Ave., and Browder, Livingston, and Barbour Sts., Eufaula, ALThe area around Eufaula was inhabited by the Eufaula Tribe of Creek Indians prior to the 1832 evacuation treaty. After the removal of the Indians, Eufaula grew rapidly and became a center of commerce and agriculture. In 1933 the town was named Irwinton in honor of General William Irwin of Henry County, Alabama and in 1834 the Summerville Land Company was organized by William I. Beatys, Alec I. Robinson, Seth Lore, and John M. Moore
to lay out a town and sell land. Four of the streets - Livingston, Orange, Randolph and Eufaula were so named that the first letters when put together would spell Lore to honor Seth Lore who was so instrumental in organizing the town. These four streets along with foe cross streets are still called the Lore Historic District. Eufaula flourished prior to the Civil War with an economy based on cotton and river traffic. Around 1850 the Eufaula Regency was formed and comprised primarily of Eufaula attorneys. The regency was the strongest southern rights group active in Alabama and they played a very important part in the secession movement.
The war and reconstruction periods were difficult, however, in the 1880's the town again became prosperous as a trading center for Southeast Alabama.
The Eufaula Heritage Association and the City of Eufaula have conducted a successful organized effort to protect and preserve the Lore Historic District and to retain essentially its nineteenth century character.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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.
The city of Anniston, Alabama was the site of one of the most violent incidents of the Civil Rights Era. In 1961, a bus carrying Freedom Riders, a group of civil rights activists, was attacked and set on fire by a mob in Anniston.
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.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped 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.