Alexander City, Alabama
|
|
Alexander City is a city located in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 15,008. Alexander City is known for Lake Martin with its 750 miles of wooded shoreline and 44,000 acres (178 km²) of crystal clear water. Lake Martin is located on the Tallapoosa River and offers boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Many waterfront neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on Lake Martin.
Russell Corporation, makers of Russell Athletic, Cross Creek, Jerzees, and Country Cottons apparel, was founded in 1902 and is a large employer in the city.
| Contents |
History
- 1698 - Captain Thomas Welch, a trader, marks out the Okfuskee Trail through Tallapoosa County. The English establish trading stations near Flint Hill, Young's Ferry and Kowaliga.
- 1814 - The Battle of Horseshoe Bend secures U.S. government control of Tallapoosa County when Andrew Jackson defeats the Creek Indians in a decisive battle.
- 1832 - The Creek Indian nation cedes its territory in Tallapoosa County to the U.S. Government.
- 1837 - James Young acquires 320 acres, which comprise a large portion of present day southwest Alexander City, including Russell Corporation and much of the land along U.S. Highway 280.
- 1872 - The town is incorporated as Youngsville, with corporate limits set one-half mile in every direction from the center of the public square.
- 1872 - A revival on Herzfeld Hill, now Hillabee Street, spawns the first two congregations of the community, First Baptist and First United Methodist.
- 1873 - The Savannah and Memphis Railway comes to Youngsville, brought by S & M president Edward P. Alexander. The town is renamed in his honor and boundaries are extended to one mile (1.6 km) from the center of the public square.
- 1879 - The first community school is organized and constructed with community funds.
- 1884 - B.F.C. Russell moves his family, including his youngest son, Benjamin (Ben), to Alexander City.
- 1889 - B.L. Dean, Alexander City mayor, spurs the movement to build a courthouse in Alexander City, paid for entirely by public subscription. Newspapers and a bottle of rum are put in the cornerstone and survive the 1902 fire.
- 1900 - J.C. Maxwell and Reuben Herzfeld convince builders of a cotton mill to locate in Alexander City.
- 1902 - Twenty six year old Ben Russell begins what is today Russell Corporation. The first step was a single knitting mill manufacturing women's and children's underwear.
- 1902 - "The Fire" destroys the entire downtown district, with losses totaling $400,000 in 1902 dollars. By today's standards, the loss would have been in the millions.
- 1907 - T.C. Russell, Ben Russell's brother, is elected mayor for the first of 10 terms.
- 1919 - Avondale Mills purchases Alexander City Cotton Mills and begins production in Alexander City.
- 1923 - Alabama Power Company begins construction on Martin Dam at Cherokee Bluffs. By 1926 Martin Dam is completed and Lake Martin forms. At the time, Lake Martin is the largest man-made lake in the world.
- 1950 - A new high school is build with community funds. After debating on many names including Benjamin Russell Vocational High School, the community chose Benjamin Russell High School
- 1956 - Horseshoe Bend becomes a national military park, 57 years after the action is first proposed by Alexander City Outlook editor F.O. Horton and due in large part to the efforts of Judge C.J. Coley.
- 1965 - Alexander City State Junior College opens in an old hospital on Lee Street with 442 students.
- 1988 - Alexander City State Junior College and Nunnelley State Technical College in Childersburg were merged and became Central Alabama Community College.
- 2000 - A time capsule was filled with local treasures and buried near Children's Harbor on Lake Martin in what is now called Time Capsule Park. The capsule is to be opened 100 years later.
Geography
Alexander City is located at 32°55'59" North, 85°56'10" West (32.933157, -85.936008)Template:GR.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 101.0 km² (39.0 mi²). 100.5 km² (38.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.44% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 15,008 people, 6,152 households, and 4,134 families residing in the city. The population density is 149.3/km² (386.6/mi²). There are 6,855 housing units at an average density of 68.2/km² (176.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 70.56% White, 28.37% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,152 households out of which 29.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% are married couples living together, 16.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% are non-families. 30.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $29,309, and the median income for a family is $38,881. Males have a median income of $30,392 versus $20,705 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,305. 16.7% of the population and 15.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.7% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Notable natives
- Terrell Owens - National Football League wide receiver
- Joe Forehand - Chairman of the Board of Accenture
External links
- City of Alexander City (http://www.alexandercityonline.com/) official site
- Alexander City Chamber of Commerce (http://www.alexandercity.org/)
- Lake Martin (http://www.lakemartin.com/) community and visitors guide
