Houston in Winston County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Willis Farris

1814 - 1888

— First Sheriff of Winston County —

Willis Farris Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 8, 2021

1. Willis Farris Marker

Inscription. Willis Farris was appointed the first sheriff of Hancock County, Alabama, serving from August 31, 1850 to September 19, 1853. Hancock County was renamed Winston County in 1858. Farris then served another term as sheriff from 1859 until 1865. He was also elected to represent Winston County in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1874 until 1876, where he was very active in legislation for the county.

Many of his descendants still remain in Winston County and the surrounding areas.

Major Contributors:
Farris' Family and Friends
Modern Woodmen of America

Sculptor: Branko Medenica

Erected by Farris' Family and Friends and Modern Woodmen of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement.

Location. 34° 8.465′ N, 87° 15.46′ W. Marker is in Houston, Alabama, in Winston County. It is at the intersection of County Road 63 and County Road 61, on the left when traveling south on County Road 63. Located at the Houston Historic Jail site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4806 Co Rd 63, Houston AL 35572, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Richard Elliott Payne (here, next to this marker); John Anthony Winston

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(here, next to this marker); The Jail at Houston / Houston-County Seat of Winston (a few steps from this marker); M1841 Mountain Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); Brushy Creek (approx. 2.6 miles away); Former Site of Smith Schoolhouse (approx. 3.6 miles away); Early Post Office Site (approx. 4.3 miles away); Meek High School War Memorial (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 8, 2021

2. Willis Farris Marker

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 8, 2021

3. Willis Farris Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 770 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.