History of Jackson County, Alabama

Jackson County, established on December 13, 1819, is located in the northeastern corner of Alabama, bordered by Tennessee and Georgia. The county, named after Andrew Jackson, has a rich history that spans Native American heritage, early European settlement, the Civil War, and post-war industrial growth. The county is known for its scenic beauty, including the Tennessee River, numerous caves, and the Appalachian foothills. Its economic and cultural development was closely tied to agriculture, river transport, and later, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s hydroelectric projects. Today, Jackson County continues to be a blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

County Facts:

  • Founded: December 13, 1819
  • Population: Approximately 52,579 (2020 Census)
  • Area: 1,127 square miles
  • Area Codes: 256, 938
  • ZIP Codes: 35740, 35744, 35746, 35747, 35748, 35752, 35755, 35765, 35766, 35768, 35769, 35772, 35774, 35776
  • County Seat: Scottsboro
  • Major Cities and Towns: Scottsboro, Bridgeport, Stevenson, Section, Woodville, Hollywood
  • Famous Landmarks:
    • Russell Cave National Monument
    • Cathedral Caverns State Park
    • Scottsboro Boys Museum
    • Tennessee River
    • Sauta Cave National Wildlife Refuge
    • Fort Harker Historic Site

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

Native American Inhabitants

Before European settlers arrived, the area now known as Jackson County was home to Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Creek. The region was rich in natural resources, with the Tennessee River serving as a key transportation and trade route for these tribes. They lived in small villages, practicing agriculture and relying on the river for fishing and transportation. The Cherokee had a strong presence in the area, maintaining large towns and complex social and political systems. The Trail of Tears would later tragically impact the Cherokee population as they were forcibly removed from their lands.

Archaeological Evidence

Jackson County is home to numerous archaeological sites that provide evidence of the long-standing Native American presence. The Russell Cave National Monument, located in the county, is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the southeastern United States. It was used as a shelter by prehistoric peoples for thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years. Artifacts found at Russell Cave, including tools, pottery, and bones, offer insight into the lives of the indigenous peoples who called the area home long before European settlement.


European Exploration and Settlement (1540–1818)

Early European Exploration (1540)

The first known European to explore the area that is now Jackson County was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1540. De Soto’s expedition traveled through the southeastern United States in search of gold and other resources, and they likely came into contact with Native American tribes in the region. While de Soto’s journey did not result in lasting settlements, it marked the beginning of European interest in the area.

Creek and Cherokee Land Cessions (1814–1818)

The early 19th century saw increasing pressure on Native American lands as European settlers expanded westward. After the Creek War (1813–1814), the Treaty of Fort Jackson forced the Creek to cede millions of acres of land, including portions of what is now Jackson County. Similarly, the Cherokee were pressured to cede their lands in a series of treaties that would culminate in the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Trail of Tears. European settlers quickly moved into the region following these land cessions, attracted by the fertile soil and the strategic importance of the Tennessee River for transportation.


Formation of Jackson County and Early Development (1819–1860)

Establishment of Jackson County (1819)

Jackson County was officially established on December 13, 1819, the same day that Alabama was admitted to the Union as the 22nd state. The county was named in honor of Andrew Jackson, who had gained fame as a military leader during the War of 1812 and later became the seventh president of the United States. At the time of its founding, the county was sparsely populated, but it quickly grew as settlers established farms and small communities along the Tennessee River.

Early Economy and Transportation

The Tennessee River played a crucial role in the early development of Jackson County. The river served as a major transportation route for moving goods, particularly agricultural products, to markets in larger cities such as Chattanooga and Huntsville. Flatboats and steamboats became common sights on the river, carrying cotton, corn, and livestock downstream. The fertile soil of the Tennessee Valley made Jackson County an agricultural hub, with cotton becoming the dominant crop by the 1830s. The establishment of small towns like Scottsboro, Bridgeport, and Stevenson during this period reflected the county’s growing importance as a center for trade and agriculture.

Slave-Based Economy

Like much of the South, Jackson County’s agricultural economy was heavily reliant on enslaved African Americans, particularly in the production of cotton. By the 1850s, slavery was deeply entrenched in the county’s social and economic fabric. Large plantations were established along the Tennessee River, and the enslaved population made up a significant portion of the county’s workforce. The wealth generated by cotton production helped fuel the county’s growth, but it also created a deeply divided society along racial lines.


The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861–1877)

Jackson County During the Civil War (1861–1865)

When Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861, Jackson County, like much of the state, supported the Confederate cause. Many men from the county enlisted in the Confederate Army, and the Tennessee River’s strategic importance made the region a key battleground during the Civil War. Several military engagements took place in Jackson County, particularly around the town of Bridgeport, which was a vital transportation hub for both Confederate and Union forces.

In 1862, Union forces captured Bridgeport and used the town as a base of operations for the remainder of the war. The nearby Fort Harker, constructed by Union troops, became a key defensive position, helping to protect Union supply lines along the Tennessee River and railroad. The war brought widespread destruction to Jackson County, with many farms, homes, and businesses damaged or destroyed.

Reconstruction and Its Aftermath (1865–1877)

The end of the Civil War brought significant changes to Jackson County. The abolition of slavery forced the county’s agricultural economy to undergo a major transformation. Plantation owners struggled to adjust to the loss of enslaved labor, and many former slaves became sharecroppers or tenant farmers, working the land in exchange for a portion of the crops. However, this system often left both Black and white farmers in cycles of debt and poverty.

Reconstruction also brought political and social changes to the county. For a brief period, African Americans gained political rights, including the right to vote, and some Black citizens were elected to local offices. However, these gains were short-lived, as white supremacist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, used violence and intimidation to restore white dominance. By the end of Reconstruction in 1877, white Democrats had regained control of the county, and the era of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation began.


Industrialization and the Early 20th Century (1877–1940)

Railroads and Economic Growth

The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century marked a turning point in Jackson County’s development. The construction of rail lines through towns like Bridgeport, Scottsboro, and Stevenson connected the county to major markets in the Southeast, facilitating the movement of goods and people. The railroads helped to diversify the county’s economy, with new industries such as timber, coal mining, and manufacturing emerging alongside the traditional agricultural base.

The town of Stevenson became an important railroad junction, and Bridgeport developed into a bustling industrial town with factories, warehouses, and rail yards. Scottsboro, the county seat, also grew during this period, becoming a center for commerce and government.

The Scottsboro Boys Case (1931)

One of the most infamous events in Jackson County’s history occurred in 1931, when nine African American teenagers, known as the Scottsboro Boys, were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train near Scottsboro. The case drew national and international attention, as the young men were quickly convicted by an all-white jury despite a lack of evidence. The Scottsboro Boys case became a symbol of racial injustice in the Jim Crow South, and it sparked a series of legal battles that eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The case helped to expose the deep racial inequalities in the American legal system and played a significant role in the early civil rights movement.


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

The Great Depression (1930s)

The Great Depression of the 1930s had a profound impact on Jackson County, as it did across much of the country. Falling agricultural prices and widespread unemployment left many families in poverty. The federal government’s New Deal programs provided some relief to the county’s residents, with projects such as road construction, dam building, and rural electrification creating jobs and improving infrastructure.

The construction of Cathedral Caverns State Park and the development of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) were particularly important for the county. The TVA’s creation of dams and hydroelectric plants along the Tennessee River not only provided much-needed jobs but also brought electricity to rural areas of Jackson County for the first time. This modernization helped to improve the standard of living for many residents and laid the groundwork for future economic growth.

World War II and Economic Recovery (1941–1945)

World War II brought renewed economic activity to Jackson County, as many young men enlisted in the military, and local industries ramped up production to support the war effort. The TVA’s hydroelectric plants played a crucial role in supplying power to factories producing war materials, and the demand for agricultural products increased as the country mobilized for war.

After the war, Jackson County experienced a period of economic recovery and growth. Veterans returned home to resume farming, and new industries emerged, particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors. The post-war period also saw improvements in infrastructure, including the construction of new roads, schools, and public facilities.


Civil Rights Movement and Modern Jackson County (1950–Present)

Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s had a significant impact on Jackson County, as African Americans in the county, like elsewhere in the South, sought to challenge segregation and secure their rights. Efforts to desegregate schools, public facilities, and businesses in Jackson County were part of the broader struggle for equality that swept across Alabama during this period.

While the county did not witness the large-scale protests seen in places like Birmingham or Selma, the influence of the movement was felt in local communities. African American leaders in Jackson County worked to improve educational opportunities, secure voting rights, and end discriminatory practices that had long marginalized Black citizens.

Economic Transition and Modernization (1970s–1990s)

By the 1970s, Jackson County’s economy began to shift as agriculture became less dominant and new industries emerged. The TVA continued to play a key role in the county’s economy, with hydroelectric power and tourism becoming increasingly important. The county’s natural beauty, including Cathedral Caverns and the Tennessee River, attracted tourists, contributing to the local economy.

Efforts to diversify the county’s economy in the late 20th century included the development of manufacturing, retail, and service-sector jobs. However, Jackson County, like much of rural Alabama, faced challenges related to population decline and economic stagnation, as younger residents left in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

Modern-Day Jackson County (2000s–Present)

Today, Jackson County remains a rural area with a rich historical and cultural heritage. The towns of Scottsboro, Bridgeport, and Stevenson 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 increasingly important part of the county’s economy, with attractions such as Russell Cave National Monument, Cathedral Caverns State Park, and the Scottsboro Boys Museum drawing visitors from across the country. The county’s natural beauty, including the Tennessee River and the Appalachian foothills, also makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating.