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Alabama Counties
Alabama currently has sixty-seven counties. The oldest county, Washington, was created on June 4, 1800, when what is now Alabama was then part of the Mississippi Territory. The newest county is Houston, created on February 9, 1903.Limestone County, Alabama History
Limestone County Education, Geography, and History
Limestone County is a county of the state of Alabama. Based on the 2010 census, the county's
population was 82,782.Limestone County was
created on Feburary 6, 1818 from lands ceded in the Cherokee
and Chickasaw Cession of 1806 and 1816. The county
seat is
Athens. The name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream.
Limestone County is included in the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area
Etymology - Origin of Limestone County Name
The name of the county comes from the creek which flows through it, whose bed is of hard limestone.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Limestone County History
Limestone County, Alabama
Limestone
county was formed by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on February 6,
1818. The county was formed from land comprising Elk County that was
created on May 24, 1817. Limestone County is west of Madison County,
north of the Tennessee River, and east of the western boundary line of
range six, west of the basis meridian of the county. An act of the state
General Assembly on November 27, 1821 gave to the county all of the land belonging to Lauderdale County, in the fork of the Tennessee and Elk Rivers, east of range six. Today Limestone County is bounded on the north by the State of Tennessee, on the east by Madison County, on the south by Morgan and Lawrence counties, and on the west by Lauderdale County. It currently encompasses 559 square miles.
The name of the county comes from the creek which flows through it, whose bed is of hard limestone. Athens was chosen as the county seat in 1819. Other towns of note are Belle Mina, Elkmont, Capshaw and Mooresville.
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 560 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (7.8%) is water. It is the third smallest county in Alabama by land area.
The Tennessee River and its tributaries run throughout the county. Elk River, one of the Tennessee River's largest tributaries, drains much of Limestone County. The Tennessee River is considered to be amongst the most biologically diverse rivers in the entire United States, with many fish and mussel species at risk. The river offers a range of economic and recreational opportunities for Limestone County.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Giles County, Tenn.
- Northeast: Lincoln County, Tenn.
- East: Madison County
- Southeast: Morgan County
- Southwest: Lawrence County
- West: Lauderdale County
POINTS OF INTEREST
- Alabama Welcome Center - Just south of the Alabama/Tennessee border, this facility is home to a Saturn 1B rocket as well as war memorials for World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
- Athens State University - A significant site for the "Sack of Athens". Founders Hall is the original structure of the university and is graced with 4 large pillars. Founders Hall also houses the New Testament Chapel containing life-size carvings depicting Christ and other New Testament figures.
- Trinity School - Established by the American Missionary Association to education the children of freed slaves.
- Belle Chevre Creamery - Tour and sample fresh goat cheese in the heart of Elkmont
- Humble Heart Farms - Choose from 4 themed tours about the farm and creamery.
Education
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