History of Dallas County, Alabama

by hotelaah · October 8, 2024

Dallas County, located in central Alabama, was founded on December 9, 1818, and is well-known for its rich history and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. From its early days as a major agricultural hub due to its fertile Black Belt soil, to its role as the center of national attention during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, the county’s legacy has shaped not only the state of Alabama but also the nation. Today, Dallas County remains a blend of historical significance and modern challenges, with landmarks that draw visitors from across the globe.

County Facts:

Founded: December 9, 1818
Population: Approximately 37,624 (2020 Census)
Area: 993 square miles
Area Codes: 334
ZIP Codes: 36701, 36702, 36703, 36720, 36749, 36758, 36761, 36767, 36773
County Seat: Selma
Major Cities and Towns: Selma, Valley Grande, Orrville, Sardis, Selmont-West Selmont
Famous Landmarks:
- Edmund Pettus Bridge
- National Voting Rights Museum
- Old Cahawba Archaeological Park
- Sturdivant Hall Museum
- Brown Chapel AME Church

Native American Era and European Exploration (Before 1817)

Native American Inhabitants (Before 1540)

Before the arrival of Europeans, Dallas County was inhabited by indigenous peoples, primarily the Creek and Choctaw tribes. These communities thrived in the fertile valleys along the Alabama River, engaging in agriculture, hunting, and fishing. The land was rich in resources, providing sustenance for these Native American tribes for centuries. Evidence of their settlements, including burial mounds and artifacts, can still be found in the region.

Early European Exploration (1540)

In 1540, the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed through what is now Dallas County during his expedition through the southeastern United States. Though de Soto’s journey did not result in permanent European settlement, it marked the beginning of European interest in the region. His encounters with local Native American groups paved the way for future exploration and eventual settlement by European settlers in the early 19th century.

Early Settlement and the Formation of Dallas County (1817–1860)

Establishment of Dallas County (1818)

As part of Alabama’s territorial expansion following the Creek War (1813–1814), Dallas County was officially established on December 9, 1818, by the Alabama Territorial Legislature. The county was named in honor of Alexander J. Dallas, the U.S. Treasury Secretary under President James Madison. Settlers were drawn to the region due to its fertile soil and proximity to the Alabama River, which made transportation and agriculture highly profitable.

Cotton Economy and the Rise of Selma (1820s–1860)

During the 1820s, Dallas County became one of the most important cotton-producing regions in the state. The county’s fertile Black Belt soil made it an ideal location for large-scale cotton plantations. The economy of the county flourished as cotton became a major export, particularly with Selma, the county seat, growing into a key commercial hub. The city’s strategic location on the Alabama River allowed for the easy transport of goods, which made it a central point for trade.

By the 1850s, Dallas County’s economy was deeply tied to plantation agriculture, and the use of enslaved African Americans to work these plantations was widespread. This system of forced labor created significant wealth for plantation owners, but also entrenched social and economic inequalities.

Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1877)

The Civil War and Dallas County’s Role in the Confederacy (1861–1865)

When Alabama seceded from the Union in January 1861, Dallas County became an integral part of the Confederate war effort. Many of the county’s residents enlisted in the Confederate Army, and Selma became a vital center for manufacturing war supplies. The Selma Ordnance and Naval Foundry was one of the most important facilities in the South, producing munitions, cannons, and other military supplies for the Confederate forces.

The Battle of Selma (April 2, 1865)

In one of the war’s final significant battles, the Battle of Selma occurred on April 2, 1865. Union forces, led by General James H. Wilson, attacked Selma in an attempt to cripple the Confederate war effort. The city’s defenses, commanded by General Nathan Bedford Forrest, could not withstand the Union assault. Following the battle, much of Selma’s industrial infrastructure, including its foundries and warehouses, was destroyed, severely weakening the Confederate cause in Alabama.

Reconstruction and African American Empowerment (1865–1877)

Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, Dallas County, like the rest of the South, entered the period known as Reconstruction. The destruction of the war and the abolition of slavery devastated the county’s economy, which had been reliant on the plantation system. Freedmen, formerly enslaved African Americans, sought to build new lives and claim their rights as citizens. In Dallas County, African Americans made significant strides in political participation during Reconstruction, electing Black leaders to local offices.

However, Reconstruction in Dallas County was marked by violent resistance from white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan, which used intimidation and violence to suppress Black political engagement and re-establish white dominance. By the end of Reconstruction in 1877, federal troops were withdrawn from the South, and white Democrats regained control of state and local governments, ushering in the era of Jim Crow.

The Jim Crow Era and the Cotton Economy (1877–1950)

The End of Reconstruction and the Establishment of Jim Crow Laws (1877–1900)

The end of Reconstruction in 1877 saw the rise of segregationist policies known as Jim Crow laws in Dallas County and throughout the South. These laws disenfranchised African Americans, who had briefly enjoyed political participation during Reconstruction, and institutionalized racial segregation in all aspects of public life. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices effectively barred Black citizens from voting or holding office.

The Cotton Economy and Sharecropping (1880s–1930s)

Although slavery had been abolished, cotton continued to dominate the economy of Dallas County during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The plantation system was replaced by sharecropping and tenant farming, in which both Black and white farmers rented land from landowners in exchange for a share of the crops. This system often trapped farmers in a cycle of debt and poverty. The boll weevil infestation of the early 20th century further devastated the cotton industry, leading to economic hardships for many in Dallas County.

The Civil Rights Movement (1950–1965)

The Fight for Voting Rights (1950s–1965)

By the mid-20th century, Dallas County had become a focal point of the growing Civil Rights Movement, particularly in the fight for African American voting rights. Despite the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870, which guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race, discriminatory practices in Dallas County effectively barred African Americans from voting for decades. Local activists, with the support of national civil rights organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), organized voter registration drives and protests in Selma.

Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery March (1965)

The most iconic event in Dallas County’s civil rights history occurred on March 7, 1965, when a group of civil rights demonstrators, led by figures like John Lewis and Hosea Williams, attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights. As the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were met by Alabama state troopers and local law enforcement, who attacked them with tear gas and billy clubs. This event, known as “Bloody Sunday,” was broadcast on national television and shocked the country, galvanizing support for the civil rights movement.

Following two more attempts to complete the march, civil rights activists finally succeeded, and their efforts led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark federal law that prohibited racial discrimination in voting.

Post-Civil Rights Era and Modern Dallas County (1966–Present)

Economic Decline and Efforts at Revitalization (1966–1990s)

In the years following the success of the Civil Rights Movement, Dallas County, like many rural areas in the South, faced significant economic challenges. The decline of the cotton industry, coupled with the outmigration of residents to larger cities, left the county struggling with poverty and unemployment. Selma, once a bustling industrial and agricultural center, experienced economic stagnation during the latter half of the 20th century.

Efforts to revitalize the county’s economy included promoting tourism, particularly around the county’s rich history in the Civil Rights Movement. Sites such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the National Voting Rights Museum, and Brown Chapel AME Church have drawn visitors from across the world, making Selma a key destination for those interested in civil rights history.

Modern Day Dallas County (2000s–Present)

Today, Dallas County is a place where history and modern challenges intersect. While its role in the Civil Rights Movement has made it a symbol of the fight for justice and equality, the county continues to face social and economic struggles, including high levels of poverty and unemployment. Nonetheless, efforts to preserve and promote the county’s historical significance continue, with annual events such as the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee commemorating the historic march and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.