Pearce's Mill
E of Hamilton on SR 253, Hamilton, AL Local significance of the district:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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.
During the early years of settlement, the county primarily relied on agriculture, with cotton becoming the dominant crop. Slavery played a significant role in the county's economy and society before the Civil War, as cotton plantations grew in number.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Marion County, as it did on the rest of the South. Many men from the county enlisted in the Confederate Army, and battles occurred nearby, including the Battle of Bear Creek in 1863. The county experienced significant devastation, and its economy struggled to recover in the aftermath of the war.
In the post-war years, Marion County slowly began to rebuild and diversify its economy. The construction of railroads in the late 19th century improved transportation links for the county, leading to increased commerce and trade. The discovery of coal and other mineral resources in the early 20th century further stimulated economic growth. Today, Marion County is a mix of rural and small-town communities with a strong heritage of agriculture and a growing emphasis on tourism and outdoor recreation.
Marion County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Marion County, Alabama.
- 1818 - Marion County is created as a county in the Alabama Territory.
- 1820 - Settlement begins in the area that is now Marion County.
- 1883 - Hamilton becomes the county seat of Marion County.
- 1887 - The White House Bridge is constructed over the Buttahatchee River.
- 1890 - The Marion County Courthouse is completed in Hamilton.
- 1900 - The first railway, the Kansas City-Memphis-Birmingham Railroad, reaches Hamilton.
- 1917 - Marion County experiences a devastating tornado outbreak.
- 1933 - The invasion of the boll weevil causes major economic challenges for cotton farmers in Marion County.
- 1956 - The Bear Creek Reservoir is completed.
- 1974 - The Hamilton Landmark Preservation Commission is established to protect historic buildings in the town.
- 1989 - Marion County celebrates its 150th anniversary.