Rutledge in Crenshaw County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Rutledge
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 2, 2014
1. Rutledge Marker
Rutledge was the first county seat of Crenshaw County and held that position from March 1867 to May 1893. Originally called Barbers Cross Roads, it was briefly named Crenshaw; but June 10, 1867, it was changed to Rutledge in honor of Captain Henry Rutledge, Company H. 59th Alabama Infantry, C.S.A.
The first elected county officials were: George W. Thagard, Probate Judge; James M. Lawrence, Tax Collector; W.T. Massey, Tax Assessor; John R. Snow, Sheriff; F.M. Cody, Circuit Clerk; and John P. Cook, D.A. Rutledge, Hugh Cameron, and John Jones, County Commissioners. Elizabeth Pittman donated the land on which the two-story courthouse was built.
Rutledge for many years was a thriving community, but the construction of the Alabama Midland Railroad from Montgomery to Luverne in 1888 by-passed the town. A spur track built from Julian to Rutledge in 1891 failed to stop the loss of population and business to Luverne and in 1893 a special election led to the county seat being moved there.
Erected 1990 by the Crenshaw County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1867.
Location. 31° 43.829′ N, 86° 18.601′
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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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rutledge Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Crenshaw County Courthouse (approx. 3 miles away); The Bricken Building (approx. 3 miles away); Luverne Historic District (approx. 3 miles away); Douglass House (approx. 3 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 3 miles away); Crenshaw County Training School (approx. 3.1 miles away); New Providence Primitive Baptist Church Site (approx. 8.6 miles away).
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 2, 2014
2. Rutledge Marker Area
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 2, 2014
3. Rutledge Marker Area
Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 2, 2014
4. Rutledge Post Office near marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,823 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
