Dallas County Courthouse

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. Dallas County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. The grassed over mound of brick before you was once Dallas County's courthouse. This courthouse was built in 1834. It was dismantled prior to 1905 by brick salvagers.

Cahawba was the county seat from 1818 to 1866. This brought a lot of people, business and money into town. When the county seat was moved to Selma in 1866, most of Cahaba's residents moved also.

After the Civil War, the abandoned courthouse became a meeting hall for freedman seeking new political power. Cahaba was known as the "Mecca of the Radical Republican Party." This was shortlived, and by 1879 a steam-powered cotton gin was being operated in this structure.

Erected by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 32° 19.081′ N, 87° 5.778′ W. Marker was in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It was on Vine Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain,

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

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are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (a few steps from this marker); Saltmarsh Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Depot and Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (about 300 feet away); Cahaba First State Capital (about 300 feet away); Alabama's First Statehouse (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Saltmarsh Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Commissary - R.R. Depot (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Vine Street (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

1818-1866 Dallas County Courthouse Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

2. 1818-1866 Dallas County Courthouse Site