Marion in Perry County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Muckle's Ridge

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013

1. Muckle's Ridge Marker

Inscription. The site that became Marion was settled by Michael McElroy, traditionally known by his alias, Michael Muckle, around 1817. McElroy sold his property, which had become known as Muckle’s Ridge, to Anderson West in 1818. West and his wife moved into McElroy’s cabin, located near where the old jail is today, and cleared off a cornfield, upon which the courthouse now sits. The Alabama legislature formed Perry County in 1819, and the first county seat was at Perry Ridge, near the Cahaba. The state selected a committee to select a new county seat in early 1822, as Perry Ridge was too isolated from the majority of the county. Muckle’s Ridge won the committee’s vote because of its central location. Anderson West, owner of the town site, hoped to become wealthy by auctioning off his property into town lots. Unfortunately, the day of the auction, May 22, 1822, was rainy; the roads were nearly impassable, and few attended the auction. Many of the town lots sold for bargain prices.

Later in 1822, a community committee voted on a new name for the county seat, with Marion being chosen to honor General Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox”

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of the American Revolution. A two-story log cabin courthouse was erected on the site of the present-day courthouse in the 1820s. A brick building replaced it in 1837. The current courthouse was built 1854-1856. General Sam Houston of Texas gave a speech here in May 1840. Later in the 19th century, the square was the hub of public life through the turbulent days of the Civil War and Reconstruction. This site was at the center of the civil and voting rights movements of the 1960s. Michael Muckle’s former pioneer homestead remains the heart of the social, business, cultural, and political life of Perry County.

Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the City of Marion.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1822.

Location. 32° 37.993′ N, 87° 19.129′ W. Marker is in Marion, Alabama, in Perry County. It is at the intersection of Washington Street and Green Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Street. Touch for map.

Muckle's Ridge Marker (Reverse) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013

2. Muckle's Ridge Marker (Reverse)

Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Washington St, Marion AL 36756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 walking distance of this marker: Confederate 6-pounder Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); Perry County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicola Marschall (within shouting distance of this marker); Jimmie Lee Jackson / Jackson's Death Led to 'Bloody Sunday' March (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Honoring: Reverend James Orange (about 400 feet away); In Memory of Albert Turner, Sr. (about 400 feet away); A Seed is Planted (about 400 feet away); Marion (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Perry County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013

3. Perry County Courthouse

of all markers in Marion.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 29, 2026

4. Muckle's Ridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.