River Falls in Covington County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Montezuma

Photographed by David J Gaines, May 14, 2011

1. Montezuma Marker

Inscription. On December 18, 1821, the Alabama General Assembly appointed Covington County commissioners William Carter Jr., James R. Mobley, Aaron Lockhart, Henry Jones, and Abel Polk “to fix and designate a suitable place for a seat of Justice, and to contract for, and superintend the erection of such public buildings” as necessary for the use of the county. Originally known as Covington Court House, the county seat was named Montezuma by 1824 and was located on the banks of the Conecuh River near this site. Due to repeated flooding, the seat of justice was moved to present day Andalusia in 1844 and Montezuma was eventually abandoned.

Erected 2005 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 18, 1821.

Location. 31° 20.636′ N, 86° 31.491′ W. Marker is in River Falls, Alabama, in Covington County. It is on River Falls Street (U.S. 84) 0.2 miles east of Heath Road (County Route 70), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: River Falls AL 36476, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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 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 are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Horse Shoe Lumber Company / River Falls Power Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Old Courthouse Clock Bell (approx. 3½ miles away); Bank of Andalusia National Historic Place (approx. 3½ miles away); History of the Library / Andalusia Post Office becomes Public Library (approx. 3.6 miles away); First National Bank Building (approx. 3.6 miles away); Three Notch Road / Hank and Audrey Williams (approx. 3.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.6 miles away); Andalusia becomes the County Seat / Andalusia Railroad Depot

Montezuma Marker looking south on US-29 (River Falls Street). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 7, 2025

2. Montezuma Marker looking south on US-29 (River Falls Street).

(approx. 3.6 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,631 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 18, 2011, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. 2. submitted on September 7, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.