History of Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County, located in the northwestern part of Alabama, was established on February 6, 1818, making it one of the oldest counties in the state. Named after Captain James Lawrence, a naval hero from the War of 1812, the county has a rich history that spans from Native American habitation to its development through agriculture and industry. The county was deeply impacted by the Civil War and Reconstruction, and later by the civil rights movement. Known for its beautiful landscapes, such as Bankhead National Forest and Wheeler Lake, Lawrence County is a place where history and nature converge.
County Facts:
- Founded: February 6, 1818
- Population: Approximately 32,924 (2020 Census)
- Area: 717 square miles
- Area Codes: 256, 938
- ZIP Codes: 35618, 35643, 35648, 35650, 35672
- County Seat: Moulton
- Major Cities and Towns: Moulton, Town Creek, Courtland, Hillsboro, North Courtland
- Famous Landmarks:
- Bankhead National Forest
- Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum
- Wheeler Lake
- Oakville Indian Mounds Park
- Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home
- LaGrange College Site
Pre-European Contact and Native American History (Before 1817)
Native American Inhabitants
Before European settlers arrived in the area that is now Lawrence County, the land was inhabited by Native American tribes, most notably the Cherokee and Chickasaw. These tribes lived in villages along the fertile valleys and rivers of the Tennessee River and Big Nance Creek. The land was ideal for agriculture, hunting, and fishing, and the Native Americans maintained complex societies with rich cultural traditions.
The Oakville Indian Mounds are evidence of Native American habitation in the area long before European contact. These mounds, some of which date back more than 2,000 years, served both ceremonial and burial purposes. The mounds are part of a broader network of Native American sites across the southeastern United States.
Trail of Tears and Removal (1830s)
The history of Lawrence County is deeply intertwined with the forced removal of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears in the 1830s. Under the Indian Removal Act of 1830, thousands of Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw were forcibly relocated to lands west of the Mississippi River. Many Native Americans from Lawrence County and surrounding areas were part of this tragic journey. The removal of Native Americans opened up large portions of the county for European-American settlement, but the legacy of this forced displacement remains an important part of the county’s history.
European Settlement and Formation of Lawrence County (1818–1860)
Early Settlement and Formation (1817–1818)
European settlers began moving into the Lawrence County area in the early 19th century, attracted by the fertile lands along the Tennessee River. Many of these settlers were of Scots-Irish descent, coming from the Carolinas and Tennessee. As part of the Alabama Territory, the region was organized into Lawrence County on February 6, 1818, named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, a naval officer who famously declared “Don’t give up the ship!” during the War of 1812.
The county seat was initially established in Courtland, a town that was designed as an economic center due to its location near the Tennessee River. However, the county seat was later moved to Moulton, which remains the administrative center of Lawrence County to this day.
Agriculture and Economy
The early economy of Lawrence County was largely agricultural, with settlers establishing farms and plantations. Cotton quickly became the dominant crop, and the county’s fertile soil made it one of Alabama’s prime cotton-growing regions. The cotton industry, like in much of the South, was heavily reliant on enslaved labor, and by the 1850s, enslaved African Americans made up a significant portion of the county’s population.
In addition to cotton, settlers grew corn, wheat, and other staple crops. Livestock farming also became an important part of the local economy. Small towns like Moulton and Courtland grew as trading centers where farmers could sell their crops and buy goods.
Antebellum Period and Civil War (1820–1865)
Plantation Economy and Society
During the antebellum period, Lawrence County’s economy continued to be driven by cotton production, with large plantations springing up across the county. Wealthy planters became the political and social elite, and the county’s economy was heavily dependent on the labor of enslaved people. The county’s location near the Tennessee River facilitated the transportation of cotton to markets in New Orleans and other southern cities.
The society of Lawrence County during this time was sharply divided along racial and economic lines. Enslaved African Americans lived under harsh conditions, working long hours in the fields and facing brutal treatment. White planters, on the other hand, lived in large homes and wielded significant political power. Smaller farmers, many of whom did not own slaves, also played a role in the county’s economy but often faced economic challenges.
Lawrence County During the Civil War (1861–1865)
When Alabama seceded from the Union in 1861, Lawrence County, like much of the state, supported the Confederacy. Many of the county’s men enlisted in the Confederate Army, while the county’s agricultural output, particularly cotton, was used to support the Confederate war effort.
The Tennessee River made Lawrence County strategically important during the Civil War, as both Union and Confederate forces sought control of the river for transportation and supply routes. Several skirmishes occurred in and around Lawrence County, and the war brought widespread devastation to the region. Farms were destroyed, infrastructure was damaged, and the economy was severely disrupted.
As the war progressed, the county, like much of the South, experienced economic collapse. The Union blockade of southern ports made it difficult for farmers to sell their cotton, and the Confederate currency became worthless. By the time the war ended in 1865, Lawrence County’s economy was in ruins, and many families were left destitute.
Reconstruction and Economic Recovery (1865–1900)
Reconstruction and the End of Slavery
The end of the Civil War brought profound changes to Lawrence 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 many formerly enslaved people became sharecroppers or tenant farmers. This system allowed African Americans and poor white farmers to work the land in exchange for a portion of the crops, but it often trapped them in cycles of debt and poverty.
Reconstruction was a turbulent time in Lawrence County, as federal troops were stationed in Alabama to enforce new laws designed to protect the rights of freed African Americans. However, the county’s white population, like much of the South, resisted these changes, and white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan used violence and intimidation to suppress Black political participation.
Agricultural Shifts and Economic Changes
During the late 19th century, Lawrence County’s economy began to recover, though it remained heavily reliant on agriculture. Cotton continued to be the dominant crop, but the county’s farmers also began diversifying by planting corn, wheat, and other staple crops. Livestock farming became increasingly important as well, with cattle and hogs being raised on small farms throughout the county.
The development of railroads in the region during the late 1800s also helped to stimulate the economy, allowing farmers to transport their goods to larger markets. However, despite these developments, the county remained largely rural and agricultural, with little industrial growth.
The Jim Crow Era and Early 20th Century (1900–1940)
Segregation and Jim Crow Laws
Following the end of Reconstruction, Lawrence County, like much of the South, entered the era of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. Black citizens were systematically excluded from the political process through measures such as poll taxes and literacy tests. The system of racial segregation was enforced in every aspect of life, from schools and public facilities to businesses and churches.
Despite these oppressive laws, African American communities in Lawrence County remained resilient. Churches and schools became central institutions in Black life, providing education, social support, and a sense of community. However, the economic opportunities available to African Americans remained limited, and many were confined to low-paying agricultural work.
Agricultural Challenges and the Boll Weevil Infestation
The early 20th century brought new challenges to Lawrence County’s agricultural economy. The arrival of the boll weevil in the 1910s devastated cotton crops across the South, and Lawrence County was no exception. The boll weevil infestation led to widespread economic hardship, as many farmers lost their livelihoods.
In response to the decline in cotton production, some farmers began to diversify their crops, planting corn, peanuts, and other staples. Livestock farming continued to grow, and by the 1920s, many farmers were raising cattle and hogs alongside their crops. However, the county’s economy remained largely dependent on agriculture, and many families continued to face economic difficulties.
The Great Depression and World War II (1930–1945)
Impact of the Great Depression (1930s)
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a profound impact on Lawrence County, as it did across much of rural Alabama. Falling agricultural prices and widespread unemployment left many families in poverty. 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.
The federal government’s New Deal programs provided some relief to Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, as the demand for agricultural products and raw materials increased to support the war effort. Many young men from Lawrence 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 brought changes to Lawrence County’s economy. Industrial development in nearby areas, including Decatur and Huntsville, created new job opportunities for county residents, many of whom left farming to work in factories. The post-war period saw improvements in infrastructure, including the expansion of public services and the construction of new schools and healthcare facilities.
Civil Rights Movement and Modern Lawrence County (1950–Present)
The Civil Rights Movement (1950s–1960s)
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s had a significant impact on Lawrence 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 Lawrence County were part of the larger movement happening across Alabama.
One of Lawrence County’s most famous sons, Jesse Owens, was a symbol of African American excellence. Born in Oakville, Owens went on to become one of the greatest track and field athletes in history, winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His success challenged racial stereotypes and inspired generations of African Americans to fight for their rights.
While Lawrence County did not experience the large-scale protests seen in cities like Birmingham or Montgomery, the influence of the civil rights movement was deeply felt. African American leaders in Lawrence County worked to improve educational opportunities, secure voting rights, and end discriminatory practices that had long marginalized Black citizens.
Economic Transition and Agricultural Decline (1970s–1990s)
By the 1970s, Lawrence County’s economy began to shift as agriculture became less dominant and new industries emerged. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) played a key role in the county’s economic development, bringing electricity to rural areas and promoting industrial growth. The county’s proximity to larger industrial centers like Decatur and Huntsville also provided new job opportunities for residents.
However, the decline of small farms and the consolidation of agricultural land into larger agribusinesses led to population decline in rural areas. Many younger residents left Lawrence County in search of better opportunities elsewhere, leading to challenges for local schools, businesses, and public services.
Modern-Day Lawrence County (2000s–Present)
Today, Lawrence County remains a largely rural area with a rich agricultural heritage, though it has increasingly diversified its economy. The towns of Moulton, Courtland, and Town Creek 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 the Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum, the Oakville Indian Mounds, and the scenic Bankhead National Forest drawing visitors from across the region. The county’s natural beauty, including the Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake, also makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and boating.
Efforts to preserve the county’s historical landmarks, such as Pond Spring, the home of General Joe Wheeler, have also helped to promote tourism and raise awareness of Lawrence County’s rich history. Despite the challenges of rural decline, Lawrence County’s resilience and commitment to preserving its heritage have helped it maintain a strong sense of community and identity.