Calhoun County, Alabama History

 

This county was organized in 1832, and was named Benton. This name it retained until 1858, when it was changed to the one it now bears, which was given in honor of the great South Carolina statesman. Calhoun has long been regarded one of the best agricultural counties of the State. This reputation it still enjoys. In addition to this, however, it is now regarded one of the leading counties in the fertility of its mineral resources. The progress which has been made in Calhoun within the last few years has been amazing, and serves to show what pluck and energy can achieve when coupled with the requisite means of progress. The vast mineral stores which have been discovered in the hills and mountains of Calhoun are serving greatly to enrich the county, and by their development to benefit mankind. Looking at it more in detail we find that Calhoun has an area of 640 square miles.

Population in 1870, 13,980; population in 1880, 19,591. White, 14,134; colored, 5,457- The population has greatly increased within the last six years.

Tilled Land: 93,857 acres.—Area planted in cotton, 26,435 acres; in corn, 33,714 acres; in oats, 8,852 acres; in wheat, 10,745 acres; in rye, 287 acres; in tobacco, 29 acres; in sweet potatoes, 283 acres.

Cotton Production: 10,848 bales.

The surface of Calhoun is hilly and uneven, and presents the usual characteristics of a mineral region. But the great variety of soils only indicates the vast diversity of productions, for the county seems capable of producing every plant that grows in the Temperate Zone.

As will be seen from the above statistics, vast quantities of land are tilled in the county, and the capacity of its soils may be judged from the variety of its productions. In the valleys and along the numerous water courses are found the best lands in Calhoun; but, while they are capable of a greater yield per acre than the higher lands, they are more difficult of cultivation. The valley lands are usually chosen for cotton, while the uplands are generally devoted to the raising of com, wheat, oats, rye, aud Irish and sweet potatoes, which are the staple productions of the county. Many minor crops, such as peas and peanuts, are also annually produced.

The finest lands of Calhoun are found in the Alexandria and Choccolocco Valleys, which are covered with splendid farms, and which support a thrifty and progressive population.

The forests of Calhoun support pine (both long and short-leaf), red, black, white, post, turkey, and Spanish oaks, hickory, walnut, beech, poplar, elm, ash, and sweet gum. This fact coupled with that of a vast supply of water in every part of the county, greatly enhances it as a place of residence. Through different portions of Calhoun there flow the Coosa river and Ohatchee, Cane, and Choccolocco creeks.

The mountain and hill sections abound in the finest springs, some of which have water of almost icy coolness. Not least among the attractive features of Calhoun county is its fruit-producing capacity. Superb orchard fruits are raised in every part of the county. Apples, peaches, and pears ripen quite readily, and, as they are but seldom interfered with by frosts, they become a source of revenue to fruit-growers. Cherries, grapes, and plums flourish also with the greatest readiness.

The orefields and limestone deposits of Calhoun county constitute its chief glory. From present indications these resources are practically exhaustless.

The center of interest in this portion of the State is the city of Anniston, whose rapid strides in population, and in the elements that constitute a bustling city, are simply amazing.

Charcoal iron has made Anniston, a beautiful place of 5,000 inhabitants. Its enterprises, after the two furnaces, are:Carwheel works, that sell to a large territory; car works, a foundry and machine shop, doing a large variety of work; a cotton factory, one of the largest and best in the South.

It is here that the development of the different ores of the county find fullest expression. Its great industries already named, together with its ores and neighboring mines, and the fertile farming region by which it is surrounded, and its rapid expansion iuto a considerablecity, make it at once one of the most remarkable places on the continent. It is located in a beautiful, green valley, and is engirdled by a rampart of high mountains. Nature seems to have designed the location for just such a city as is there being rapidly built. The valley inlets and outlets seem the natural gateways for the railroads. No haste seems to have been exhibited in building the city, for the streets are adorned with architectural elegance, the sidewalks are
paved, and the broad streets of eighty feet in width are admirably graded, macadamized, and guttered with stone.

Every house is erected with a view to permanence. One of the chief objects of attraction is the Anniston Inn, a magnificent hotel, which crowns a slight eminence in the heart of the city. It has been built at a cost of $120,000, and is an object of exceeding great attraction. In visiting that part of the city occupied by the operatives, the visitor can not help being impressed with the tranquil contentment and happiness which seem everywhere to prevail.

Jacksonville, the county-seat, with a population of 1,500, is also a most desirable and growing town. Besides its superb social advantages, it has excellent churches and superior educational advantages. A large Normal school is established here, and it deservedly ranks with the largest schools in the State. In the surrounding country are many splendid farm. Stock-raising has received considerable attention, and is rapidly becoming one of the most profitable branches of industry in the county.

Other points of interest are Oxanna, Oxford, Cross Plains, and White Plains. The county ranks among the first in the State in its educational facilities. At all the places named there are first-class schools. At Oxford there is a college of considerable repute. Transportation is afforded by the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, Georgia Pacific, the Anniston and Atlantic, and the East and West railroads. Advantages for religious worship exist not only in the centers, but throughout the county.

Lands are purchasable at rates quite moderate for so progressive a section, where the tendency of real estate is invariably upward. Wild lands may be had at $5 and $10 per acre, aud cultivated farms at $15 and $50 per acre. The climate and healthfulness of the county are excellent.

The constant flow of population into Calhoun sufficiently indicates the spirit with which immigrants are met.

There are in the county 24,160 acres of government land, which offers additional inducements to immigrants.

Source: Alabama As It Is by Benjamin Franklin Riley, D. D., 1887 , Transcribed by C. Anthony 

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