Historical Markers in
Calhoun County, Alabama

10th Alabama Volunteers 27th. Division Veterans Memorial Anniston Memorial Hospital Anniston Public Library Desegregation Archaic Battle of “Ten Islands” Beauregard's Headquarters Better Understandings, New Friendships Boiling Springs Road Calhoun County World War I Memorial Caver-Christian-Davis Farm Charcoal Production at Caver-Christian-Davis Farm Chief Ladiga Trail - Jacksonville Confederate Hospital Creek Indian Campaign Memorial Crook Cemetery Cross Plains - Piedmont Doctor Francis' Office Downtown Jacksonville Historic District First Presbyterian Church Forney’s Corner Fort Strother Freedom Riders General Leonidas Polk C.S.A. George W. Ingram Governor Thomas E. Kilby Grace Episcopal Church Greyhound Bus Station Protest, May 14, 1961 Historic Oxford Intendants and Mayors of Jacksonville Jacksonville Jacksonville Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama Janney Furnace John Horace Forney John Tyler Morgan Joseph William Burke Lick Skillet Lincoyer Maj. John Pelham Major John Pelham Mississippi Agriculture Mississippi Earthen Mounds Muscogee (Creek) Nation Muscogee (Creek) Nation Muscogee (Creek) Nation Paleoindian Parker Memorial Baptist Church Pelham Piedmont First United Methodist Church Presidents of Jacksonville State Profile Cotton Mill Historic District Profile Cotton Mills Historic District Reconstructing the Cultural Landscape Saint John United Methodist Church Saint Luke's Episcopal Church Saint Michael and All Angels Seventeenth Street Missionary Baptist Church, Organized 1887 Simmons Park Site of Indian Trading Post Southern Railway Station Attack Tallasseehatchee Temple Beth El Temple Beth El Section Hillside Cemetery The Alabama Tennessee River Railroad The Birthplace of the “Gallant Pelham” The Choccolocco Creek Archaeological Complex The City of Oxford Cemetery The Depot The First National Bank of Jacksonville The Human Relations Council The Legacy of the Military / Anniston's Military Heritage "The Magnolias" The Murder of Willie Brewster, July 15, 1965 The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Today The Prehistoric, Protohistoric & Historic Periods The "Shattering" of the Mississippian World The Tallasahatchie Battle Field Thomas A. Walker Town of Hobson City, Alabama Trailways Attack Trailways Bus Station Attack Tyrus Raymond Cobb Welcome to the Choccolocco Park West 15th Street Historic District William Henry Forney Woodland “Spirit of the American Doughboy”
Alabama was the birthplace of some of the most famous musicians in history, including Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, and W.C. Handy, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Blues."
Calhoun County, Alabama, is located in the northeastern part of the state. The region that now encompasses Calhoun County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Creek and Cherokee. In the early 1800s, European settlers began to put down roots in the area, attracted by the fertile land and abundant natural resources such as timber and minerals.

The county was established in 1832 and named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent South Carolina statesman and Vice President of the United States. During the 19th century, Calhoun County experienced rapid growth and development, thanks in large part to the growth of the textile industry. Textile mills sprang up across the county, creating jobs and transforming the county's economy.

Calhoun County played a significant role in the Civil War. As part of the Confederacy, the county saw several battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Morton's Ford and the Battle of Blue Mountain. After the war, the county worked to rebuild and diversify its economy, with the textile industry remaining an important sector.

In the 20th century, Calhoun County continued to evolve. The county saw the rise of the automobile industry, with several manufacturing plants opening up in the area. Additionally, the expansion of education and healthcare institutions, including Jacksonville State University and Anniston Regional Medical Center, further contributed to the county's growth and development. Today, Calhoun County is known for its thriving manufacturing sector, educational opportunities, and natural beauty, making it a desirable place to live and work.

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

  • 1832 - Calhoun County is established, named after John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States.
  • 1834 - Jacksonville is chosen as the county seat.
  • 1836 - The county experiences rapid growth due to the Creek War and the removal of Native American tribes.
  • 1861-1865 - Calhoun County strongly supports the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
  • 1867 - Anniston is founded as a planned industrial city.
  • 1872 - The first railroad is completed in the county, connecting Anniston to Atlanta, Georgia.
  • 1887 - Oxford is incorporated as a city.
  • 1929 - Fort McClellan is established as an Army infantry training center.
  • 1936 - The Talladega National Forest is declared, encompassing parts of Calhoun County.
  • 1961 - The Anniston Army Depot is established, becoming an important military installation.
  • 1992 - Jacksonville State University wins the NCAA Division II Football Championship.
  • 2001 - The former Fort McClellan is decommissioned and becomes the Center for Domestic Preparedness.