History of Greene County, Alabama

by hotelaah · October 8, 2024

Greene County, established on December 13, 1819, is one of Alabama’s oldest counties, rich with history deeply tied to agriculture, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. Located in the western part of the state, the county was named after General Nathanael Greene, a hero of the American Revolution. The fertile lands of the Black Belt region made it a center for cotton plantations in the 19th century, while the county’s struggles during the Civil Rights Movement left a lasting mark on its history. Today, Greene County continues to reflect both its historical legacy and ongoing economic challenges.

County Facts:

Founded: December 13, 1819
Population: Approximately 7,730 (2020 Census)
Area: 660 square miles
Area Codes: 205
ZIP Codes: 35441, 35442, 35443, 35444, 35461, 35474, 35477
County Seat: Eutaw
Major Cities and Towns: Eutaw, Boligee, Forkland, Union, Clinton
Famous Landmarks:
- Kirkwood Plantation
- Eutaw Historic District
- Greene County Courthouse
- Tombigbee River
- The Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge

Pre-European Contact and Native American History (Before 1817)

Native American Inhabitants

Before the arrival of European settlers, the area now known as Greene County was inhabited by Native American tribes, most notably the Choctaw. The Choctaw people lived in the fertile lands of the Black Belt region, cultivating crops and hunting in the abundant forests. The land’s proximity to rivers, such as the Tombigbee River, provided excellent resources for fishing and transportation. The Choctaw were part of a larger network of trade that spanned across the southeastern United States, and they maintained a vibrant cultural and social structure.

Evidence of Native American presence in Greene County includes mounds, pottery, and artifacts that indicate long-standing settlements and cultural practices. The Choctaw’s tenure in the area was disrupted by European encroachment in the early 19th century, leading to the cession of their lands through treaties with the U.S. government.

Early European Settlement and County Formation (1817–1830)

Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (1830)

European settlement in what is now Greene County began in earnest following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830, which ceded Choctaw lands in Alabama and Mississippi to the United States. This treaty marked the beginning of large-scale European-American migration into the region, with settlers drawn to the fertile Black Belt soil ideal for cotton farming. The area was prized for its agricultural potential, and it quickly became a hub for plantation agriculture.

Prior to the treaty, smaller groups of settlers had already begun moving into the region, establishing farms and small communities along the Tombigbee River. The creation of Greene County on December 13, 1819, just days after Alabama became a state, solidified the area as an official administrative region. The county was named in honor of General Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War hero who played a crucial role in the American fight for independence.

Establishment of Eutaw and Early Development

Eutaw, the county seat of Greene County, was established shortly after the county’s founding. The town grew rapidly due to its location along major transportation routes, including access to the Tombigbee River. Eutaw became the political and economic center of Greene County, with the construction of public buildings, including the Greene County Courthouse. As settlers arrived and plantations developed, Eutaw also became a key market town for the cotton trade, attracting merchants, planters, and tradespeople.

Antebellum Era and the Rise of Plantation Economy (1830–1860)

Cotton Plantations and Slavery

During the 1830s and 1840s, Greene County experienced a period of significant growth due to its fertile Black Belt soil, which was highly conducive to cotton cultivation. The county became one of Alabama’s leading cotton producers, with large plantations dominating the landscape. The wealth generated by cotton, often referred to as “King Cotton,” transformed the county’s economy and social structure. Wealthy planters built elaborate mansions, such as Kirkwood Plantation, reflecting the prosperity of the period.

The county’s prosperity, however, was built on the backs of enslaved African Americans who worked the cotton fields. By 1860, enslaved individuals made up the majority of the population in Greene County, reflecting the entrenched system of slavery that defined the social and economic order. Slavery created a deeply stratified society, with a small, wealthy elite of white planters controlling much of the county’s resources and political power, while the enslaved Black population endured harsh and inhumane conditions.

Eutaw’s Growth as a Market Town

As Greene County’s plantation economy grew, so did the town of Eutaw. The town became a vital trading center where planters brought their cotton to be shipped down the Tombigbee River to Mobile and other markets. In addition to cotton, Eutaw served as a market for goods and supplies that the plantation economy needed, including tools, household items, and enslaved labor.

Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1877)

Greene County in the Civil War (1861–1865)

When Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861, Greene County was deeply involved in the Confederate cause. Many of the county’s men enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the region’s agricultural resources, particularly cotton, were used to support the war effort. The county’s plantations continued to operate during the early years of the war, producing cotton and foodstuffs, though the Union blockade of Southern ports severely hampered trade.

As the war progressed, Greene County, like much of the South, faced economic hardship. The end of slavery and the destruction of infrastructure left the county in disarray. Many Confederate soldiers from Greene County never returned, and those who did found their lands and economy devastated by the war.

Reconstruction in Greene County (1865–1877)

The end of the Civil War brought about significant changes in Greene County. With the abolition of slavery, the plantation economy collapsed, and planters faced the daunting task of rebuilding their estates without enslaved labor. Many formerly enslaved individuals remained on the land as sharecroppers or tenant farmers, working for a portion of the crop but often trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty.

During Reconstruction, the federal government stationed troops in Alabama to enforce laws and protect the rights of freedmen. In Greene County, African Americans, who made up a large portion of the population, gained new political rights, including the right to vote. Some Black citizens were elected to local offices, and for a brief period, African Americans played an active role in Greene County’s political life.

However, Reconstruction in Greene County, as in much of Alabama, was marked by violent resistance from white supremacist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. These groups used violence and intimidation to suppress Black political participation and restore 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 laws and segregation.

The Jim Crow Era and Early 20th Century (1877–1940)

Rise of Jim Crow Laws and Disenfranchisement (1877–1900)

Following the end of Reconstruction, Greene County, like much of the South, saw the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. These laws systematically stripped Black citizens of their rights, including the right to vote, through measures such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses. The period also saw the rise of racial violence and lynching, as white supremacist groups sought to maintain control over the political and social order.

African Americans in Greene County, who had briefly enjoyed political participation during Reconstruction, were effectively excluded from the democratic process for decades. Despite these challenges, Black communities in Greene County continued to develop, with African Americans establishing churches, schools, and businesses to support themselves.

Agricultural Shifts and Economic Challenges

Agriculture remained the backbone of Greene County’s economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but the collapse of the plantation system and the rise of sharecropping and tenant farming left many farmers in poverty. The boll weevil infestation of the 1910s and 1920s devastated cotton crops throughout the South, further weakening Greene County’s agricultural economy.

In response to these economic challenges, some farmers began to diversify their crops, growing corn, peanuts, and other commodities in an effort to survive. However, the county remained largely rural and agricultural, with limited industrial development or economic diversification.

The Great Depression and World War II (1930–1945)

Impact of the Great Depression (1930s)

The Great Depression of the 1930s hit Greene County hard, as it did much of rural Alabama. The collapse of cotton prices, combined with widespread unemployment and poverty, left many families struggling to survive. Sharecroppers and tenant farmers, already living in precarious conditions, faced even greater hardship during this period.

The federal government’s New Deal programs provided some relief to the county’s residents. Projects such as road construction, rural electrification, and improvements to public infrastructure created jobs and helped alleviate some of the economic strain. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were particularly active in Alabama, building roads, schools, and other public works that benefited Greene County.

World War II and Economic Recovery (1941–1945)

World War II brought renewed economic activity to Greene County, as demand for agricultural products and raw materials increased to support the war effort. Many young men from Greene County enlisted in the military, and the county’s farms ramped up production of food and cotton for the war effort.

The war also brought about social changes in Greene County. As African Americans moved to cities in search of industrial jobs, the population of the county began to decline. The war effort also highlighted the contradictions of segregation and inequality, as African American soldiers fought for freedom abroad while being denied basic rights at home.

Civil Rights Movement and Modern Era (1950–Present)

Civil Rights Struggles in Greene County (1950s–1960s)

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s had a profound impact on Greene County, as African Americans in the county, inspired by national leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sought to challenge segregation and secure their rights. The county, with its large African American population, became a battleground for voting rights and desegregation.

In 1969, Greene County made history when it became the first county in Alabama to elect a majority-Black county commission, thanks to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices. This election marked a significant turning point in the county’s political history and symbolized the broader struggle for African American empowerment in Alabama.

Economic Decline and Challenges (1970s–1990s)

Despite the political gains made during the Civil Rights Movement, Greene County faced significant economic challenges in the latter half of the 20th century. The decline of agriculture, particularly cotton farming, and the lack of industrial development left the county with high levels of poverty and unemployment.

Efforts to diversify the economy, including the development of tourism and small industries, had limited success. Greene County’s population began to decline as younger residents left in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The county’s rural nature, combined with its economic difficulties, made it one of the poorest counties in Alabama.

Modern-Day Greene County (2000s–Present)

Today, Greene County remains a rural county with a rich historical legacy. The county continues to face economic challenges, including high unemployment and poverty rates. However, efforts to revitalize the local economy through tourism, agriculture, and small industries are ongoing. The county’s historical sites, including the Eutaw Historic District and Kirkwood Plantation, attract visitors interested in Alabama’s antebellum and Civil War history.

Greene County’s legacy as a center of African American political empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement also continues to shape its identity. The county remains a symbol of both the struggles and achievements of African Americans in Alabama and the broader South.