Historical Markers in
Morgan County, Alabama

A County Older Than The State, Morgan County African American Heritage in Old Town Decatur, Alabama Albany Albany Battle of Decatur Beauty and Hope Burleson House (circa 1836) Carolyn Cortner Smith Carver Elementary School Cedar Plains Christian Church Cherokee Trail Of Tears City of Hartselle, Alabama / Hartselle Facts Confederate Leadership at Decatur - McCartney Hotel Site Crabb-Stewart-Key-Dotson Home Dancy-Polk House (circa 1829) Dave Albritton Decatur and The Civil War in North Alabama Decatur Vietnam War Monument Fight For Survival First Missionary Baptist Church First Permanent Court House, Morgan County First Presbyterian Church (USA) First Railroad First United Methodist Church Gen. Jos. Wheeler Health and Civic Welfare Historic Downtown/Founders Park Hood’s Middle Tennessee Campaign and The Battle for Decatur Ingalls Shipyard King's Memorial United Methodist Church Korean War Lacey's Spring Lest We Forget M601A Tank McKendree Cemetery and the Massey Community / Charles Christopher Sheats 1839-1904 Morgan County Confederate Memorial Morgan County Veterans Memorial Morgan County World War II Memorial Old Decatur Historic District / Historic Depot Old Decatur Historic District / Old State Bank Old State Bank Building Old Town Historic District Original Falkville Town Hall Building / Falkville Water Tower Our History Packed with People Prisoner of War or Missing in Action Recreation and Refreshment Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 Schaudies - Banks Cottage "Scottsboro Boys" Case Landmark Decisions Site of Benson Field Skirmish at Woodall's Bridge Social and Cultural Opportunities Somerville, Alabama St. John's Episcopal Church T-34 C Mentor Plane The Decatur Daily The Huey Helicopter The "Katy-Did" Crash To Commemorate the Passage of The Olympic Torch Town of Priceville Two Bridges Across The Tennessee River Union Hill School United States Air Force United States Army United States Marines United States Navy Uprooted From Home USS San Jose (AFS-7)Anchors / BOFORS TWIN 40mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Valhermoso Springs Votes for Women Words of Resistance World War One “A Hard Nut To Crack” - Federal Defenses at Decatur “a place of importance” - Union Leadership at Decatur “An Affair Most Important to Us” - The Federal Right, October 27-28, 1864 “Captain, We’ve Got It At Last” - The Charge of the 14th U.S. Colored Infantry
The city of Mobile, Alabama is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. The first Mardi Gras parade in Mobile took place in 1703, just one year after the city was founded by the French.
Alabama random facts
Morgan County, Alabama has a rich and diverse history that stretches back thousands of years. The area was once home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Creek, who utilized the ample natural resources of the Tennessee River Valley. European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, with the city of Decatur being founded in 1820.

During the Civil War, Morgan County played a significant role as it was strategically located along the Tennessee River. The Battle of Decatur in October 1864 saw Union forces successfully repel Confederate attacks and secure the city. The river also allowed for the transportation of troops and supplies, making it a crucial area for both sides throughout the war.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the agricultural industry, particularly cotton farming, boomed in Morgan County. The region's fertile soil and access to the Tennessee River made it an ideal location for agriculture. With the construction of railroads in the late 1800s, Decatur became an important transportation hub, further driving economic growth.

In the 20th century, the development of Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville brought a significant military presence to Morgan County. The arsenal was initially established as a chemical weapons facility but later transitioned into a center for rocket research and development, with the formation of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. This marked the beginning of the area's transformation into a leading center for aerospace and technology, which continues to drive the local economy today.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Morgan County, Alabama.

  • 1818: Morgan County, Alabama is established.
  • 1821: Decatur is named the county seat of Morgan County.
  • 1832-1833: The relocation of the county seat from Somerville to Decatur is completed.
  • Early 1860s: Morgan County becomes a center of Confederate military activity during the American Civil War.
  • 1870s: Railroads are built in Morgan County, leading to increased industrialization and economic growth.
  • 1887: Trinity, a small town in Morgan County, is incorporated.
  • 1901-1903: Decatur's public utilities are established, including waterworks and electric lighting.
  • 1941: Wheeler Dam is completed on the Tennessee River, bringing hydroelectric power and a boost to the local economy.
  • 1956: The Huntsville-Decatur Area becomes a hub for the growing aerospace industry, with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and the Redstone Arsenal being established nearby.
  • 1990s: Morgan County experiences significant growth in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and distribution.
  • 2011: Morgan County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.