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

Cottonwood, Alabama

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 1, 2014

1. Cottonwood, Alabama Marker

Inscription. In April 1903, the Town of Cottonwood was incorporated, making it the first town established in Houston County. The town's name may have come from either Mr. Wood, an influential land owner, or from the softwood trees growing in the area. General stores, a bank, mills (turpentine, grist, timber, etc.) sprang up. At least two lumber companies constructed logging railroads through the town. One remained in service into the 1940s as a freight service from the Cowarts area to Bascom, FL. The early 1920s saw an interest in drilling for crude oil in the area. Several attempts would find only a hot mineral water spring. Mr. J. R. Sealy capitalized on this find and established an internationally known health spa. The Sealy Hot Mineral Springs remained in business until fire destroyed it in 2001. At the 2000 census, the population of Cottonwood was 1,170.

Erected 2010 by the Alabama Tourism Department and the Town of Cottonwood.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Tourism Department

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series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1903.

Location. 31° 3.291′ N, 85° 18.088′ W. Marker is in Cottonwood, Alabama, in Houston County. It is at the intersection of County Road 55 and Cottonwood Road (State Road 53), on the right when traveling south on County Road 55. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10190 County Road 55, Cottonwood AL 36320, 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 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Southern Boundary of the United States (approx. 7.4 miles away); Big Creek United Methodist Church / Joseph Watford Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 7.8 miles away); Site of Campbellton School (approx. 9.2

Cottonwood, Alabama Marker area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 1, 2014

2. Cottonwood, Alabama Marker area

miles away in Florida); First Baptist Church (approx. 9.2 miles away in Florida); Ashford Depot (approx. 9.7 miles away); Ashford Centennial (approx. 9.7 miles away); Incorporation of Ashford / Ashford - a Unique Name (approx. 9.7 miles away); Ashford United Methodist Church (approx. 9.9 miles away).

Also see . . . Town of Cottonwood website. (Submitted on May 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 1, 2014

3. Cottonwood, Alabama Marker area

Bruner Park location of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 1, 2014

4. Bruner Park location of marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,145 times since then and 164 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.