St. Clair County
Alabama
History
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This is one of the territorial counties of the State—having been founded in 1818. It was named for General Arthur St. Clair. Like several others, in the same portion of the State, it is just coming into popular notice as a county of considerable wealth in minerals. Extensive interests have sprung into existence within the last two years in St. Clair county. Capitalists have resorted thither, and are still traversing the county in different directions in search of the most profitable investments. Abundant reasons for this appear in the following :
The area of St. Clair is 630 square miles.
Population in 1870, 9,360; population in 1880, 14,462. White, 11,621; colored, 2,841.
Tilled Land: 65,105 acres.—Area planted in cotton, 14,735 acres; in corn, 25,465 acres; in oats, 4,603 acres; in wheat, 9,841 acres; in tobacco, 53 acres; in sweet potatoes, 226 acres.
Cotton Production: 6,028 bales.
The northwestern boundary of St. Clair county is formed by Blount Mountain, which is the southern end of one of the branches of Sand Mountain, already recognized as a part of the coalfields of Alabama. In the northwestern corner of the county Chandler's Mountain, about six miles long and two miles wide, is of the same formation. The Coosa coalfields, occupying a belt about five or six miles in width, runs nearly parallel with the beautiful river, Coosa, which forms the southeastern boundary of St. Clair county, and at an average distance from it of three or four miles. In addition to these, the northeastern extremity of the Cahaba coalfield runs up into St. Clair as far as the latitude of Springville. Between these hill and mountain ranges, which the coal measures always form, lie the chief valleys—Coosa Valley between, and the Coosa coalfield, and Cahaba Valley between the the Coosa and Cahaba coalfields. These valleys are broken here and there by narrow ridges, which run their entire length, creating a great diversity of soil. It will be seen that the county presents a great variety in its topographical and other natural features.
Here, as elsewhere, the fertile lands lie along the valleys, while the thinner soils crown the uplands. The Coosa Valley, which, as we have seen, lies along the eastern part of St. Clair, is about ten miles wide. The lands are quite productive, and are, for the most part, devoted to corn, cotton, wheat, and oats. Cahaba Valley is also rich in soil, and is flanked on either side with charming scenery. Big Canoe Creek Valley, which is about eight miles wide, is regarded the most attractive, in point of scenery, of all, and with respect to fertility is equal to any land in the State. Along these valleys grow the staple products of the county, viz: cotton, corn, wheat, oats, rye. barley, sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes.
The last national census shows that St. Clair county produces more cotton to the acre than any other county in the State. Along the slopes and table-lands of St. Clair grow the superb fruits which are produced, such as apples, pears, peaches, plums and all varieties of berries.
These mountain districts, because of their healthful climate and responsive soils, are being rapidly peopled. The broad plateau, known as Chandler Mountain, about six miles north of Ashville, embraces several thousands of acres of generous soil, and it is regarded the most favorable locality for orchard-culture in that section of the State. It is about seven or eight hundred feet above the surrounding valleys. This plateau is owned, in part, by the Alabama and Great Southern Railroad Company, and can be purchased at the marvelously low price of $2 per acre. Government lands are to be found in the same region, where homesteads can be settled. In every part of the county grasses and clovers do well. The Japan clover grows luxuriantly and wild, furnishing herbage for stock from early spring to frost.
Along the valleys, particularly, grow the finest specimens of oak timbers. The mountain-slopes are covered with valuable woods. In different portions of the county are found the several varieties of timber, such as long-leaf or yellow pine, white and red oaks, poplar, and hickory. Some of these compose vast forests, which occupy much of the most productive land in St. Clair.
The county throughout is streaked by perpetual streams, which are fed by innumerable springs of water. Chief among these streams may be named Broken Arrow, Trout, Shoal, and Canoe creeks, and East and West Forks of the Cahaba river. The Cahaba river, which grows into such large proportions as it flows south, has its source among the hills of this county. Most of these streams are wide and deep, affording an endless supply of water, and furnishing many natural sites for industrial enterprises. The county is favored in its railroad advantages—there being four to give outlet to its products, viz: The Alabama Great Southern, Georgia Pacific, East and West, and Talladega and Coosa Valley railroads. Mining interests of the county are being developed at Broken Arrow, Fairview, and Ragland's. Other important mineral plants are in prospect.
Inexhaustible quantities of both brown and red hematite ore exist throughout the county. Coal and marble are also found to some extent. Stones for building purposes prevail abundantly, and are of
superior quality. Mineral springs are frequently encountered in this highly-favored region. These will receive attention as the comparatively new country is developed and more largely populated.Already there are several watering-places of some note in St. Clair. Among these may be mentioned the Sulphur Spring, on the Alabama Great Southern railroad, one hundred and thrity-two miles above Birmingham; the St. Clair Springs, near this line; Springville, also on this road, and Cooke Springs, on the Georgia Pacific railroad. These are points of frequent resort, the medicinal virtues of whose waters are enhanced by the brace of the prevailing mountain air.
One of the attractive features of St. Clair is the Coosa river, which forms its eastern boundary. The United States Government is engaged in opening up this charming stream, and soon packets will be plying between Greensport and Rome, Georgia. Immense advantage will thus be afforded pleasure and health-seekers, as well as the business world.
The places of greatest prominence in St. Clair are Ashville, the county-seat, Springville, St. Clair Springs, Broken Arrow, Branchville, Ferryville, and Cooke Springs—all of which are destined to attain considerable growth, because of their surrounding advantages.
Good schools are found in every part of St. Clair, as well as excellent religious facilities.
Good farming lands can be purchased in St. Clair county for from $5 to $12 per acre. Mineral lands vary in price from $5 to $25 per acre. The inducements here afforded are remarkably rare.
St. Clair county embraces 25,960 acres of government land.
Source: Alabama As It Is by Benjamin Franklin Riley, D. D., 1887 , Transcribed by C. Anthony
