Clanton in Chilton County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Chilton County History

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 22, 2020

1. Chilton County History Marker (side 1)

Inscription.

Chilton County History. . , Side 1 , Established by the Alabama Legislature on December 30, 1868, from land obtained from Autauga, Bibb, Perry, and Shelby counties. Originally designated Baker County for Alfred Baker, postmaster, justice of the peace, state legislator, and founder of the city of Clanton. First county seat was Grantville, named for President Ulysses S. Grant, located one mile northeast of present courthouse site. Following a public referendum held in April 1871, the county seat relocated to Clanton along the Louisville and Nashville, Railroad. A two-story wood-frame courthouse, constructed at the intersection of Second Avenue North and Sixth Street, served as the new seat of county government. In response to a petition by residents, the name of the county was changed on December 17, 1874, to honor former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court William Parish Chilton. An all-brick courthouse was constructed in 1896 but was damaged by fire in 1918. Rebuilt in 1919, the building served, the people of the county until February 1962 when a new courthouse facility was dedicated. , (Continued on other side).

Side 2 ,

(Continued from other side).

Known as the "Peach Capital of Alabama," local orchards produce more than two-thirds of the total yield of Alabama's leading commercial fruit. In celebration of this agricultural export, the inaugural Chilton County Peach Festival was held in July 1947 at the Thorsby Institute. Organizers had a prize-winning basket of Hale Haven peaches delivered to President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C. The Coosa River on the eastern border of the county became the site of the first Alabama Power Company hydro- electric project in the state. Completed in 1914, Lay Dam was constructed on the Army Corps of Engineers Lock 12 site and named for William Patrick Lay, founder of the Alabama Power Company. Mitchell Dam, erected at Dunkin's Riffle and completed in 1923, is named for former Alabama Power Company President James Mitchell. The establishment of rail systems, the Dixie Bee-Line Highway, and the interstate highway system significantly affected the growth and development of communities within the county.

Side 1
Established by the Alabama Legislature on December 30, 1868, from land obtained from Autauga, Bibb, Perry, and Shelby counties. Originally designated Baker County for Alfred Baker, postmaster, justice of the peace, state legislator, and founder of the city of Clanton. First county seat was Grantville, named for President Ulysses S. Grant, located one mile northeast of present courthouse site. Following a public referendum held in April 1871, the county seat relocated to Clanton along the Louisville and Nashville, Railroad. A two-story wood-frame courthouse, constructed at the intersection of Second Avenue North and Sixth Street, served as the new seat of county government. In response to a petition by residents, the name of the county was changed on December 17, 1874, to honor former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court William Parish Chilton. An all-brick courthouse was constructed in 1896 but was damaged by fire in 1918. Rebuilt in 1919, the building served, the people of the county until February 1962 when a new courthouse facility was dedicated.
(Continued on other side)

Side 2

(Continued from other side)

Known as the "Peach Capital of Alabama," local orchards produce more than two-thirds of the total yield of Alabama's leading commercial

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fruit. In celebration of this agricultural export, the inaugural Chilton County Peach Festival was held in July 1947 at the Thorsby Institute. Organizers had a prize-winning basket of Hale Haven peaches delivered to President Harry Truman in Washington, D.C. The Coosa River on the eastern border of the county became the site of the first Alabama Power Company hydro- electric project in the state. Completed in 1914, Lay Dam was constructed on the Army Corps of Engineers Lock 12 site and named for William Patrick Lay, founder of the Alabama Power Company. Mitchell Dam, erected at Dunkin's Riffle and completed in 1923, is named for former Alabama Power Company President James Mitchell. The establishment of rail systems, the Dixie Bee-Line Highway, and the interstate highway system significantly affected the growth and development of communities within the county.

Erected 2020 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1962.

Location. 32° 50.391′ N, 86° 37.789′ W. Marker is in Clanton, Alabama, in Chilton County. Marker is on 2nd Avenue North west of 5th Street South, on the right

Chilton County History Marker (side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 22, 2020

2. Chilton County History Marker (side 2)

when traveling west. Located next to the Chilton County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 2nd Ave, Clanton AL 35045, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Central Alabama Vietnam Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); City of Clanton (within shouting distance of this marker); Chilton County Police Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Chilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Chilton County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Walnut Creek United Methodist Church (approx. 2.1 miles away); Chilton County Training School 1924-1969 (approx. 4.4 miles away); Moore Cemetery (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clanton.

More about this marker. Marker erected as part of the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration (1819-2019). Note: Although marked as installed in 2019, it was actually installed in August, 2020.

Also see . . . Chilton County History - The Encyclopedia of Alabama. (Submitted on August 22, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of marker next to Courthouse with First Baptist Church in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

3. View of marker next to Courthouse with First Baptist Church in background.

Marker is between 2 trees on far left of Courthouse. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

4. Marker is between 2 trees on far left of Courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.