Limestone County AlArchives History .....Limestone County 1888 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 4, 2011, 11:36 am V LIMESTONE COUNTY Population: White, 12,000; colored, 9,340. Area, 590 square miles. Woodland, all. Red Valley lands, 175 square miles. Barrens, 415 square miles. Acres—In cotton, approximately. 45,000; in corn, 47,000; in oats, 4,200; in wheat, 7,900; in rye, 250; in tobacco, 125; in sweet potatoes, 450. Approximate number of bales of cotton, 17,000. County Seat—Athens: Population, 1,300; located on Nashville & Decatur branch of Louisville & Nashville Railroad, 107 miles south of Nashville, and 195 north of Montgomery. Newspapers published at County seat—Alabama Courier and Democrat, both Democratic. Postoffices in the County—Athens. Belle Mina, Carriger, Center Hill, Elkmont, Elk River Mills, Estaville, Gilbertsborough, Good Springs, Greenbrier, Hyde Park, Mooresville, Mount Roszell, O'Neal, Peltey, Pettnsville, Quid Nune, Rowland, Sand Springs, Swancott, Veto, Westmoreland, Wooley Springs. Limestone was created out of the lands purchased from the Chickasaws and Cherokees, by an act of the Territorial Legislature, passed February 6, 1818. This county lies directly north of the Tennessee River. It is one of the first counties formed in the State. Limestone has all the varieties of soil which belong to the Tennessee Valley. The southern portion of the county exceeds in fertility that of the northern. The southern has a more uniform surface and is capitally adapted to the growth of all the cereals. The lands in this section are almost entirely cleared and are in a fine state of cultivation. The bottom lands which skirt the numerous streams are exceedingly fertile. Notwithstanding Limestone has long been recognized as one of the chief cereal counties of the State, and still is, the farmers are turning their attention more every year to the growth of grasses and breeding of thoroughbred horses and blooded cattle, hogs and sheep. This change has proven to be the best thing our farmers have ever undertaken. The grasses usually grown for stock are produced here in the greatest perfection, and the most sanguine expectations of stock-raisers have been realized. The finest pasture lands can be had here, the value of which is greatly enhanced by the multitude of streams which penetrate every part of the county. Great encouragement has been given stock-raisers, year by year, to improve the character of their breeds. Except upon the lowlands and near the rivers, the county is wonderfully healthy, and along the ridges adjoining these basins excellent places of residence can be had. Formerly these ridges were dwelling places of the wealthiest farmers in the county, while they cultivated the land in the bottoms. Along these knolls, as almost in every part of the county, fine water is found, together with a salubrious climate. In many parts of the comity are forests of timber in which are found hickory, poplar, chestnut, red and white oak, beech, maple, red and white gum. ash, walnut and cherry. Along the southern border of the county runs the Tennessee river, several of the large tributaries of which penetrate the territory of Limestone. Elk river Hows through the northwest, and at certain seasons is navigable for light crafts. This stream will be of vast local advantage when the obstructions are removed from the Tennessee. Big Poplar, Round Island, Swan, Piney, Limestone, and Beaver Dam creeks streak the county in every section with waters of perpetual flow. These are reinforced by many large springs in the mountain and hill regions. Mineral springs also exist and are said to be equal to any in the State. The streams abound in remarkably fine fish, vast quantities of which are caught every year. No great public industries have as yet been established, but a number are in contemplation at Athens, on the Louisville & Nashville railroad. Energy, skill and capital are needed to make Limestone what it is by nature fitted to become—a great manufacturing as well as an agricultural region. As yet but little attention has been given the mineral products of Limestone. Valuable specimens of lead have been discovered in the Elk River hills. In some portions of the county there have been discovered out-croppings of iron ore, as well as fine specimens of coal. Slate has been found to exist in vast quantities, though it has failed thus far to attract public attention. Silver ore has also been discovered, but it is not known to what extent it exists. The county is highly favored in its facilities for transportation. It is divided in twain from north to south by the great Louisville & Nashville Railroad, which brings it into easy and rapid communication with New Orleans on the south and the great cities of the West on the north. Fruits grown along these valleys find a ready market in the cities of the Northwest, into commercial relations with which this section is brought by means of its excellent railroad facilities. Along the southern portion of the county runs the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, which affords a competing line to the producers of the county. The social advantages of Limestone are those which belong to the best regulated society of the South. The people are hospitable and are prompted by a most generous disposition. Schools of varying grades exist in different parts of the county. In Athens, the county seat, which has a population of about 1,500, there are -several schools of high grade. Churches usually of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist denominations prevail. The other chief towns are Mooresville and Elkmont. The last named point is a town with promising importance. Lands may be purchased in some sections for $5 per acre; in others they will cost much more, being dependent upon the fertility and location. ATHENS.—Athens, the seat of justice of Limestone county, was first incorporated November 19, 1818, and the courthouse was located here at once. A seminary of learning, for females, was early established. The corner stone of the Masonic Hall was laid in March, 1826, it being the second brick building in the town. There are four brick churches, the Baptist being the first one built and was used by all denominations. The Methodist was the next one, which was built in 1830. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was built early in 1850; owing to its proximity to the railroad, the congregation has sold it and purchased a lot for a new one. The Episcopal Church has been recently built, and is a very handsome one. There are two colleges, male and female, the latter an imposing brick structure, with ample and beautiful grounds. Under the supervision of Prof. M. G. Williams it has very rapidly increased in the number of pupils and is now one of the finest schools in the State. The male college is a large and roomy frame building, situated in a beautiful grove at a sufficient distance from the public square to make it quiet. Splendid brick pavements lead to both colleges from any portion of the town. The earliest records of the town we have been able to find, is April 27, 1824, at which time Samuel Tanner was mayor. Among the members of the bar the most prominent were Daniel Coleman, Egbert J. Jones, William Richardson, Thomas Hobbe, George S. Houston, Luke Pryor, Elbert English, William H. Walker. In the medical profession were such distinguished men as T. S. Malone, J. F. Sewell, Joshua P. Coman, Frank Malone, P. Capshaw. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land 1888 PART III. HISTORICAL RESUME OF THE VARIOUS COUNTIES IN THE STATE. CEREAL BELT. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/limestone/history/other/limeston354gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 8.2 Kb