DeKalb county took its name from the famous Baron DeKalb. It was constituted in 1836. DeKalb lies in the extreme northeastern corner of the State, and is bounded by Georgia on the east, its extreme northern point touching the line of the State of Tennessee. It shares largely in the fertile lands and mineral deposits, both of which abound in this section of Alabama. Its climate, healthfulness, favorableness of location, and natural sources of wealth make it one of the most desirable counties in the State.

Area of the county, 740 square miles.

Population in 1870, 7,126; population in 1880, 12,675. White, 11,993 I colored, 682.

Tilled Land: 52,096 acres.—Area planted in cotton, 7,469 acres; in corn, 23,929 acres; in oats, 5,115 acres; in wheat, 6,846 acres; in rye, 383 acres; in tobacco, 19 acres; in sweet potatoes, 218 acres.

Cotton Production: 2,859 bales.

It will be seen that the population of DeKalb has been almost doubled within the last ten years, which serves to indicate quite fully the estimate which is placed upon the county by immigrants and investors. This is due to the peculiar advantages offered in climate, diversity of productions, mineral deposits, and cheapness of lands, all of which are chief factors in the prosperity of the county. DeKalb county is occupied in great part by the two plateaus of
Sand and Lookout Mountains. The former of these constitutes a high plane, whose surface rocks are those of the Coal Measures. These two plateaus, of which that of Sand Mountain is the greater, are separated by Wills' Valley, which cuts entirely across the county from northeast to southwest. This valley embraces the most productive lands of DeKalb. It is here that almost all the cotton in the county is produced.

The land along the valleys was very highly prized by the first settlers of the county, and but little regard was had for that which lay along the plateaus. Later, however, the uplands were brought into use, and the result of their tillage has been peculiarly gratifying.

They are not only cultivated with far less effort, but are found to be almost equal in production to the lower soils when assisted some with fertilizers. The lands of the county may thus be divided in a general way between the dark, stiff soils of the valley and the lighter soils of the plateaus. The staple productions are cotton, corn, wheat, oats, rye, and sweet potatoes. Grasses and clover flourish also, and the attention which is being given their production is tending to the improvement of stock. As is true throughout this entire section
of the State, the lands upon the plateaus are those devoted to fruit culture. Apples, pears, and peaches, and, indeed, all fruits grown in this latitude attain perfection. Fruit trees thrive here for many years, and the crop is rarely killed or injured by frosts. Perhaps no section of America can display finer specimens of plums than grow in this region. The principal timbers of the county are oaks, hickory, cherry, and short-leaf pines. These exist in sufficient quantities for all domestic purposes.

DeKalb county has the amplest water supplies for all purposes. Streams of rapid and deep currents afford inducements for the erection of machinery, while cool and everlasting springs issue from the hills in every section of the county. Lookout Mountain plateau is drained by Little river and its tributaries, while Sand Mountain is drained by Tom creek and the numerous streams which empty into it. Prominent among the streams are Long Island, Scarham, Black, and South Santa creeks.

Near Valley Head, in Lookout Mountain plateau, are where the beautiful falls of Little river occur. They are nearly one hundred feet in height, with a deep, rocky gorge below them. Iron and coal largely prevail in the county. In Wills' Valley there is found a superb quality of fire clay, which has become famous. It exists also in other parts of DeKalb. The kaolin of the county is very fine. Specimens displayed at the New Orleans Exposition took the first
premium in 1885, and beautiful crockery manufactured from these porcelain clays was exhibited there. Railroad transportation is enjoyed by the people of the county, as the Alabama Great Southern railroad penetrates it from northeast to southwest. Fort Payne, the county-seat, Collinsville, Lebanon, and Portersville are the principal towns of the county.

Public school system is good, and church facilities abound.

Lauds can be secured upon the most reasonable terms possible. There are very major government lands yet unsettled, being 32,600 acres, and vast quantities of railroad lands which can be had at a marvelously low rate. In other sections, where land is purchasable, it can be had for from $2 to $25 per acre.

Numbers have availed themselves of the extraordinary inducements presented in securing public and railroad lands, and their accounts of the advantages here presented to settlers are quite flattering. Thrifty immigrants will be greeted with a cordial welcome.

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

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