History of Lamar County, Alabama
Lamar County, located in the western part of Alabama, was established on February 4, 1867, initially as Jones County. It was renamed Lamar County in 1877, in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a U.S. Senator from Mississippi and later Secretary of the Interior. The county’s history is rich in agriculture, with cotton playing a central role in its early economy. The county also has a deep connection to the Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Today, Lamar County is known for its small towns, scenic landscapes, and historical landmarks, preserving its Southern heritage while adapting to modern challenges.
County Facts:
- Founded: February 4, 1867 (as Jones County), renamed Lamar County in 1877
- Population: Approximately 13,972 (2020 Census)
- Area: 605 square miles
- Area Codes: 205
- ZIP Codes: 35574, 35552, 35565, 35543, 35559
- County Seat: Vernon
- Major Cities and Towns: Vernon, Sulligent, Kennedy, Millport, Beaverton, Detroit
- Famous Landmarks:
- Lamar County Courthouse
- Town of Vernon Historic District
- Sulligent Depot
- Bevill State Community College, Hamilton Campus (nearby)
- Tombigbee River tributaries
Pre-European Contact and Native American History (Before 1817)
Native American Tribes in Lamar County
Before European settlers arrived, the area that would later become Lamar County was inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Chickasaw. These indigenous people lived along the Tombigbee River and its tributaries, using the fertile land for agriculture, hunting, and gathering. The Chickasaw Nation, known for its warrior culture, had a strong presence in what is now western Alabama and maintained trade networks with other tribes and European settlers as they arrived.
The Chickasaw people practiced farming, growing crops such as corn, beans, and squash, and their settlements were often situated along waterways that facilitated trade and transportation. Despite their strong cultural and social systems, their tenure in the region would eventually be challenged by European expansion and treaties that ceded their lands to the U.S. government.
Early European Exploration and Settlement (1817–1860)
The First European Settlers (1817–1830)
The lands of present-day Lamar County began to see European settlement following the defeat of the Creek and Chickasaw tribes in the early 19th century. After the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832, the Chickasaw ceded their remaining lands to the U.S. government, opening the region to white settlers. Many of these settlers were drawn to the fertile Black Belt soil, which was ideal for cotton farming.
By the early 1830s, small farming communities began to form in the region, and agriculture, particularly cotton cultivation, became the driving force behind the economy. The county’s location, along the tributaries of the Tombigbee River, provided important transportation routes for moving crops and goods to larger markets.
Formation of Jones County (1867)
Lamar County was first established as Jones County on February 4, 1867, in the aftermath of the Civil War. The creation of Jones County reflected the reorganization of Alabama’s counties during Reconstruction, as the state worked to rebuild its economy and political systems. The original name of the county was chosen in honor of E. P. Jones, a local hero and prominent Confederate officer. However, the name Jones County would only last for a decade before the county underwent a significant change.
Renaming to Lamar County (1877)
In 1877, Jones County was renamed Lamar County in honor of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, a Mississippi politician who was instrumental in the South’s post-Civil War political recovery. Lamar, who later served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, was a prominent advocate for the restoration of political rights to former Confederates. The renaming of the county reflected the region’s alignment with the Democratic Party and the political resurgence of former Confederates during the late 19th century.
Antebellum Economy and Social Life (1820–1860)
Rise of the Cotton Economy
Like much of Alabama, Lamar County’s early economy was built on cotton farming. Cotton was king in the antebellum South, and the fertile soils of Lamar County’s Black Belt region made it ideal for large-scale cotton cultivation. By the 1830s, cotton plantations dominated the county’s landscape, and the economy was heavily reliant on enslaved African Americans who were forced to work the fields.
The cotton economy not only shaped the local economy but also deeply influenced the social structure of the county. Wealthy plantation owners became the region’s political and social elite, while enslaved African Americans lived under harsh conditions, denied basic rights and subjected to brutal labor.
Early Town Development
During this period, small towns such as Vernon and Sulligent began to grow as centers of trade and commerce. Vernon, in particular, grew as the county seat, becoming the center of government and local administration. The county’s small towns were essential in supporting the rural agricultural economy, with merchants, blacksmiths, and other tradespeople providing services to the surrounding farming community.
The Civil War and Its Aftermath (1861–1877)
Lamar County in the Civil War (1861–1865)
When Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861, Lamar County (then Jones County) supported the Confederacy. Many men from the county enlisted in the Confederate Army, while the region’s agricultural resources, particularly cotton, were used to support the Confederate war effort. The Civil War brought widespread devastation to Alabama’s economy, and Lamar County was no exception. As the war progressed, many of the county’s farms and plantations suffered from the lack of labor and the destruction of infrastructure.
Post-War Reconstruction (1865–1877)
The end of the Civil War brought profound changes to Lamar County, as the abolition of slavery upended the county’s economy and social structure. With the end of slavery, plantation owners lost their primary labor force, and the cotton economy collapsed. Many former enslaved people stayed in the area, working as sharecroppers or tenant farmers on the same land they had previously been forced to work. However, this system often trapped both Black and poor white farmers in cycles of debt and poverty, as they were unable to gain ownership of the land or improve their economic status.
The Reconstruction period (1865–1877) was marked by political and social upheaval. Federal troops were stationed in Alabama to enforce new laws aimed at protecting the rights of newly freed African Americans, including the right to vote. For a brief time, African Americans in Lamar County gained political power, with some elected to local offices. However, the rise of white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, led to widespread violence and intimidation, which ultimately resulted in the suppression of Black political participation by the end of Reconstruction.
Jim Crow Era and Early 20th Century (1877–1940)
Segregation and the Jim Crow Laws
Following the end of Reconstruction in 1877, Lamar County, like much of the South, entered the Jim Crow era, a time of legalized racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. Black citizens were systematically stripped of their voting rights through poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices. African Americans in Lamar County, who had briefly gained political representation during Reconstruction, were relegated to second-class citizenship for decades under Jim Crow laws.
Segregation was enforced in every aspect of life in Lamar County, from schools and public facilities to businesses and churches. Despite the oppressive nature of Jim Crow, African American communities in Lamar County developed strong social, religious, and educational institutions that provided support and solidarity in the face of discrimination.
Agricultural Economy and Challenges
Lamar County remained primarily agricultural during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with cotton continuing to dominate the local economy. However, the county’s reliance on cotton left it vulnerable to economic fluctuations, including the devastation caused by the boll weevil infestation in the early 1900s. The boll weevil, which destroyed cotton crops across the South, had a significant impact on Lamar County’s farmers, many of whom were already struggling with debt and poverty.
To cope with the decline in cotton production, some farmers in Lamar County began diversifying their crops, planting corn, peanuts, and other commodities. However, the county’s economy remained largely tied to agriculture, and many families continued to face economic hardships.
The Great Depression and World War II (1930–1945)
The Great Depression’s Impact on Lamar County
The Great Depression of the 1930s hit Lamar County hard, as it did much of rural Alabama. Falling agricultural prices and widespread unemployment left many families struggling to survive. Sharecroppers and tenant farmers, who made up a significant portion of the county’s population, were particularly vulnerable to the economic downturn. Many were unable to pay their debts and were forced off their land.
In response to the economic crisis, the federal government’s New Deal programs provided some relief to Lamar County’s residents. Projects 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 programs helped to alleviate some of the economic strain and provided much-needed employment during the darkest days of the Depression.
World War II and Economic Recovery (1941–1945)
World War II brought renewed economic activity to Lamar County, as the demand for agricultural products and raw materials increased to support the war effort. Many young men from Lamar County enlisted in the military, and those who remained on the home front contributed to the war effort by increasing farm production.
After the war, the county experienced a period of economic recovery, with veterans returning home to resume farming or enter new industries. The post-war period also saw improvements in infrastructure, including the expansion of public services and the construction of new schools and healthcare facilities.
Civil Rights Movement and Modern Era (1950–Present)
The Civil Rights Movement in Lamar County (1950s–1960s)
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s had a significant impact on Lamar 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 Lamar County were part of the larger movement happening across Alabama.
While the county did not experience the same level of large-scale protests seen in places like Birmingham or Selma, the movement’s influence was felt in local communities. African American leaders in Lamar County worked to improve educational opportunities, secure voting rights, and end discriminatory practices that had long marginalized Black citizens. The passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped to dismantle some of the barriers that had kept African Americans from voting, though the struggle for full equality continued for many years.
Economic Transition and Agricultural Decline (1970s–1990s)
By the 1970s, Lamar County’s economy began to shift as agriculture became less dominant and new industries emerged. The mechanization of farming and the consolidation of small farms into larger agribusinesses reduced the demand for farm labor, leading to population decline as younger residents left the county in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
Efforts to diversify the county’s economy in the late 20th century included the development of small industries and the promotion of tourism, particularly in the county’s small historic towns like Vernon and Sulligent. However, the county continued to face economic challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment.
Modern-Day Lamar County (2000s–Present)
Today, Lamar County remains a rural area with a rich agricultural heritage, though its economy has increasingly diversified. The towns of Vernon and Sulligent continue to serve as the county’s main economic and political centers, with small businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities supporting the local population.
Efforts to promote tourism, particularly by preserving the county’s historical landmarks and scenic beauty, have also played a role in revitalizing the local economy. Visitors are drawn to the Lamar County Courthouse, the Town of Vernon Historic District, and the scenic landscapes along the Tombigbee River.
The county’s natural beauty, combined with its small-town charm, continues to attract visitors and new residents who appreciate its rich history and slower pace of life. Despite the challenges of rural decline, Lamar County’s resilience and commitment to preserving its heritage have helped it maintain a strong sense of community and identity in the face of modern changes.
