History of Henry County, Alabama

by hotelaah · October 8, 2024

Henry County, established on December 13, 1819, is one of Alabama’s oldest counties and has a deep historical legacy rooted in agriculture, politics, and the antebellum South. The county was named after Patrick Henry, a prominent Revolutionary War figure. Originally covering much of southeastern Alabama, Henry County’s borders were eventually reduced as new counties were formed. The county’s economy thrived on agriculture, particularly cotton farming, and today it remains a rural area, proud of its historical landmarks and cultural contributions. The Civil War, Reconstruction, and the civil rights era also left significant marks on the county’s development.

County Facts:

Founded: December 13, 1819
Population: Approximately 17,167 (2020 Census)
Area: 568 square miles
Area Codes: 334
ZIP Codes: 36310, 36312, 36317, 36319, 36345, 36353
County Seat: Abbeville
Major Cities and Towns: Abbeville, Headland, Newville, Haleburg, Shorterville
Famous Landmarks:
- Abbeville Historic District
- Purcell-Killingsworth House
- Headland Historic District
- Franklin-Haynes House
- Chattahoochee River

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

Native American Tribes in the Region

Before European settlers arrived, the area now known as Henry County was home to Native American tribes, most notably the Creek Nation, which dominated the southeastern part of what would become Alabama. The Creek people had complex social, political, and economic systems, living in villages along rivers like the Chattahoochee, which forms the eastern boundary of Henry County. They practiced agriculture, growing crops such as corn, beans, and squash, and engaged in hunting and fishing.

The land was crisscrossed by trails used by the Native American tribes for trade and communication with other groups throughout the Southeast. Many of these trails would later become critical routes for European settlers and traders.

Early European Exploration and Settlement (1540–1818)

Hernando de Soto’s Expedition (1540)

The first European to explore the area that would become Henry County was the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto, who traveled through the Southeast in 1540. His expedition came into contact with various Native American tribes, including the Creek, though it left no lasting European settlements in the region. De Soto’s presence marked the beginning of European interest in the area, though it remained under Native American control for many more years.

Creek Land Cessions and European Settlement (1805–1818)

The early 19th century saw the gradual cession of Creek lands to the U.S. government through a series of treaties. These treaties, such as the Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814) after the defeat of the Creek in the Creek War, opened large portions of southeastern Alabama to European-American settlers. This influx of settlers led to the establishment of Henry County on December 13, 1819, just two days after Alabama was admitted as the 22nd state of the Union.

Initially, Henry County covered a vast area that included all or part of present-day Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, and Houston counties. As new counties were created from its original territory, Henry County’s borders were gradually reduced to their current configuration.

Antebellum Era and Plantation Economy (1819–1861)

Cotton and Slavery in Henry County

During the early 19th century, Henry County’s economy was largely agrarian, with small farms and plantations spreading across the fertile lands along the Chattahoochee River. Like much of the South, Henry County became heavily reliant on cotton as its primary cash crop. The rich soil and favorable climate made the region well-suited for cotton production, and by the 1830s, cotton had become the dominant agricultural product.

The rapid growth of the cotton economy also fueled the demand for enslaved African Americans, who were brought to the area to work the cotton fields. By the 1850s, slavery was deeply entrenched in the county’s social and economic structure. Wealthy planters controlled large tracts of land, while enslaved people made up a significant portion of the population, enduring harsh labor conditions on the plantations.

Development of Abbeville and Headland

During the antebellum period, the towns of Abbeville and Headland began to develop as local centers of commerce and trade. Abbeville, which became the county seat in the 1830s, grew into an important hub for the surrounding agricultural region, serving as a market town where farmers and planters came to buy and sell goods. Headland, which developed later in the 19th century, also became an important town for the local farming community.

The county’s growth was tied to the broader expansion of the cotton industry, which drove economic and population increases during this period. Public buildings such as courthouses, churches, and schools were constructed, many of which still stand today as part of the county’s rich historical legacy.

The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1877)

Henry County in the Civil War (1861–1865)

When Alabama seceded from the Union in January 1861, Henry County supported the Confederacy, sending many of its men to fight in the Confederate Army. The county’s economy, heavily reliant on cotton and enslaved labor, was directly tied to the broader Southern cause. Henry County did not see major military action during the Civil War, but it suffered the economic consequences of the conflict, including the loss of trade routes and the eventual collapse of the Confederacy.

As the war dragged on, many farms and plantations were left in disarray, with the loss of labor following the Emancipation Proclamation and the destruction of Confederate infrastructure across the South. By the war’s end in 1865, Henry County’s economy was in tatters, and much of the region’s wealth had evaporated.

Reconstruction and the End of Slavery (1865–1877)

The Reconstruction period that followed the Civil War brought significant changes to Henry County. With the end of slavery, the plantation system that had dominated the local economy collapsed, and planters struggled to adjust to a new system of labor. Many formerly enslaved African Americans became sharecroppers or tenant farmers, working the land in exchange for a share of the crops. However, this system often trapped both Black and white farmers in cycles of debt and poverty.

During Reconstruction, federal troops were stationed in Alabama to enforce laws and protect the rights of newly freed African Americans. In Henry County, as in other parts of the South, there was significant resistance to Reconstruction policies, and white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, used violence and intimidation to suppress Black political participation and maintain white control of the local economy and government.

By the end of Reconstruction in 1877, white Democrats had regained political control in Henry County, and the era of Jim Crow laws and segregation began, limiting the rights of African Americans for decades to come.

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

Jim Crow Laws and Segregation (1877–1900)

Following the end of Reconstruction, Henry County, like much of the South, implemented Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. These laws were designed to maintain white political and economic dominance and prevent African Americans from exercising their newfound rights. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices effectively barred Black citizens from voting or holding office.

African Americans in Henry County, who had briefly gained political representation during Reconstruction, were relegated to second-class citizenship under Jim Crow. Despite the oppression of this period, Black communities in the county continued to grow, establishing schools, churches, and businesses to serve their needs.

Agricultural Shifts and the Boll Weevil Infestation

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Henry County remained primarily agricultural, with cotton continuing to dominate the economy. However, the arrival of the boll weevil in the early 20th century devastated cotton crops throughout Alabama and much of the South. The boll weevil infestation led to widespread economic hardship for Henry County’s farmers, many of whom were already struggling under the burdens of sharecropping and tenant farming.

In response to the agricultural crisis, some farmers began to diversify their crops, planting corn, peanuts, and other crops that were less susceptible to the boll weevil. The introduction of peanut farming, in particular, became a major economic asset for the county, helping to stabilize the agricultural economy.

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

Impact of the Great Depression (1930s)

The Great Depression of the 1930s had a severe impact on Henry County, as it did across the rural South. Falling agricultural prices and widespread unemployment left many families struggling to survive. The sharecropping and tenant farming systems that had sustained the county’s economy were hit particularly hard, with many farmers unable to pay their debts or maintain their land.

The federal government’s New Deal programs provided some relief to Henry County’s residents. Programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) created jobs and improved infrastructure, building schools, roads, and public facilities throughout the county. These projects helped alleviate some of the economic strain, though the recovery was slow and uneven.

World War II and Economic Recovery (1941–1945)

World War II brought renewed economic activity to Henry County, as demand for agricultural products and raw materials increased to support the war effort. Many young men from Henry County enlisted in the military, and those who remained on the home front contributed to the war effort by increasing farm production. The war also spurred industrial growth in nearby regions, including Dothan, creating new economic opportunities for the county’s residents.

The post-war period saw a slow but steady recovery for Henry County’s economy, with many veterans returning home to resume farming or enter new industries. The mechanization of agriculture during this period also brought significant changes to the county’s farming practices, as tractors and other machinery replaced much of the manual labor that had previously been done by hand.

Civil Rights Movement and Modern Era (1950–Present)

Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s had a significant impact on Henry County, as African Americans in the county joined the broader struggle for equality and an end to segregation. Efforts to desegregate schools, public facilities, and businesses in the county mirrored the larger movement happening across Alabama and the South.

While the county did not experience the same level of large-scale protests seen in cities like Birmingham or Montgomery, the movement’s influence was deeply felt. African American leaders in Henry County worked to secure voting rights, improve educational opportunities, and end discriminatory practices that had long marginalized Black citizens.

Economic Transition and Agricultural Decline (1970s–1990s)

By the 1970s, Henry County, like much of rural Alabama, began to see a decline in its agricultural economy. The mechanization of farming and the consolidation of smaller farms into larger agribusinesses reduced the demand for farm labor, leading to population decline as young people left the county in search of employment elsewhere.

Efforts to diversify the county’s economy in the late 20th century included the development of small industries, tourism, and service-sector jobs. However, economic challenges persisted, particularly in the wake of the decline of the cotton and peanut industries.

Modern-Day Henry County (2000s–Present)

Today, Henry County remains a rural area with a strong agricultural heritage, though it has increasingly diversified its economy. The towns of Abbeville and Headland continue to serve as the county’s main economic and political centers, with small businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities supporting the local population.

Tourism has become an important part of the county’s economy, with attractions such as the Abbeville Historic District and the scenic Chattahoochee River drawing visitors to the area. Efforts to preserve the county’s historical landmarks and cultural heritage have also helped revitalize local communities.