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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.Marion County, Alabama History
Marion County Education, Geography, and History
Marion County is a county of the state of Alabama. Based on the 2010 census, the
population was 30,776. Marion County was
created by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly
on February 13, 1818.. The county seat is Hamilton. The county seat was originally established in
Pikeville in 1820, and moved to Hamilton in 1881. Marion county was
named for General Francis Marion of South Carolina.Marion County is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the state of Mississippi. It encompasses 743 square miles (1,920 km2). The county is a prohibition or dry county, however, the sale of alcohol is permitted within the cities of Guin, Hamilton, and Winfield.
Etymology - Origin of Marion County Name
Marion county was named for General Francis Marion of South Carolina.
Demographics:
County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts
Marion County History
Marion County, Alabama
Marion county was formed by an act of the Alabama Territorial General Assembly on, February 13, 1818. The county is located in the northwestern part of the state, bounded on the west by the State of Mississippi. It encompasses 743 square miles. The county was named for General Francis Marion of South Carolina. The county seat was established in Hamilton in 1820. Other significant towns include Winfield, Brilliant and Hackleburg.
In 1818, the first county courthouse was constructed at Cotton Gin Port, near Amory. It was moved in 1819 to the home of Henry Greer along the Buttachatchee River. Pikeville served as Marion County's first permanent county seat from 1820-82. The town is now abandoned, but the home of Judge John Dabney Terrell Sr., which served as the third county courthouse, still stands. In 1883, Hamilton became the county seat. The first courthouse in Hamilton was destroyed by fire on March 30, 1887, and the second courthouse, constructed in the same place, also burned. A new courthouse, constructed of local sandstone opened in 1901. In 1959, the building was significantly remodeled to give the structure its current 1950's "international style" design theme
Geography: Land and Water
As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 744 square miles (1,930 km2), of which 742 square miles (1,920 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.2%) is water.
Numerous tributaries of the Tombigbee River run throughout the county as do several tributaries of the Tennessee River. The Tombigbee River is considered one of the most critical watersheds in the nation, with more than 125 species of fish, 10 of which are considered endangered. The river's many tributaries offer scenic views and recreational opportunities.
Neighboring Counties
Bordering counties are as follows:
- North: Franklin County
- East: Winston County
- Southeast: Walker County; Fayette County
- Southwest: Lamar County; Monroe County, Miss.
- Northwest: Itawamba County, Miss.
Education
Two public school systems and one community college operate in Marion County. Marion County Schools and Winfield City Schools and Bevill State Community College Hamilton Campus.
Marion County School System
- Philips Elementary and High School (Bear Creek)
- Brilliant Elementary School
- Brilliant High School
- Guin Elementary School
- Marion County High School (Guin)
- Hackleburg Elementary and High School
- Hamilton Elementary School
- Hamilton Middle School
- Hamilton High School,
Marion County High School has won four state championships in 1A football with the most recent coming in 2011.
Winfield City School System
- Winfield Elementary School
- Winfield Middle School
- Winfield High School
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