Morgan County AlArchives History .....Motgan 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 3, 2011, 6:54 pm

III.
MORGAN COUNTY.

    Population: White, 12,000; colored, 4,500. Area. 700 square miles. Woodland,
all. Coal measures of sand mountains and sandy land of Little Mountain, 415;
valley lands, red lands. coves and stoops, 570.

    Acres — In cotton, approximately, 18,828; in corn, 35,610; in oats, 4,704;
in wheat, 7,005: in rye, 135; in tobacco, 52; sweet potatoes, 365. Approximate
number of bales of cotton in round numbers, 6,500.

    County Seat—Somerville: Population, 1,000.

    Postoffices of the County—Apple Grove. Bashams Gap, Blue Springs, Cedar
Plains, Cotaco, Crowton, Danville, Decatur, Falkville, Flint, Fort Bluff,
Gandys, Cove, Hartselle, Hulaco, Lacy's Springs, Lawrence Cove, Leesdale,
Priceville, Slipup, Somerville, Stringer, Trinity Station, Whisenaut, Winter,
Woodland Mills.

    The county of Morgan was established in the year 1818, and named for General
Daniel Morgan, of Pennsylvania. It lies directly south of the Tennessee river,
and is one of the most important counties in north Alabama.

    Proceeding southward from the Tennessee river, which forms the northern
boundary of Morgan county, there are met four terrace-like plains, each with
characteristics peculiar to itself. The first of these would be the bottoms,
which lie in close proximity to the Tennessee river. The soils here are porous
and productive, but liable to overflow. For this reason they are planted almost
altogether in corn. Occasionally, however, where the soil is not so much exposed
to overflow, there is cotton planted.

  Then comes the land of the valley of the Tennessee proper. This is elevated
above the bottoms about seventy-five or one hundred feet, and possesses the red
or brown soils, which mark the great valley from limit to limit. Because of the
generous soil possessed by this valley, the lands are almost wholly cleared. The
valley in this county varies very greatly. In some parts it is but a mile or two
wide, while in others it is fully eight.

    Ascending to the next natural formation one is from seventy-five to one
hundred feet above the valley, and is upon the summit of a range known as Little
Mountain. The lands along this broad, natural shelf are not so fertile as those
in the valley for purposes of farming, but are superior in pasturage qualities.
Grasses in the greatest variety and luxuriance grow along this lofty plateau.
Here we find the stock-producing section of the county. Of course from this it
will not be understood that the soils of this section are incapable of producing
only grasses. In this portion of Morgan are found many thrifty farms, surrounded
by all the comforts of life. It is more distinctively adapted, however, to
stock-raising than to agriculture.

    From this elevated plain, which commands the view of the Tennessee Valley,
and going southward there is a perceptible descent to the foot of Sand Mountain.
This is the fourth distinct division of the county. The width of this terrace
varies from one to twelve miles. Along this we find a great variety of soil, the
fertility or thinness of which is indicated by its peculiar hue. In some
portions the lands are black, while in others they are red and gray. That part
of the county which is now being described is a portion of the great Warrior
coalfield. Thus it will be seen that Morgan possesses, to a greater or less
degree, all the advantages, agriculturally and otherwise, which are possessed by
the surrounding counties of the great Tennessee Valley. All the grains are
produced here that are produced elsewhere in this North Alabama region. And the
hardy fruits, such as apples, peaches, pears and the various berries are grown
abundantly, and are usually of superior quality. The water supply of the county
is superior. The Tennessee river forms the whole of the northern boundary of the
county, while Flint creek, and its two forks, Cotaco, No Business, Cedar, Shoal,
Six Mile, Crowdabont, Gandy's fork, penetrate every portion of it, and not only
supply it with water, but contribute greatly to the enrichment of the soils. The
county is also well watered with superior springs. In the northeastern portion
are the Valhermoso and Lacy springs, which enjoy a local reputation. The
different streams afford excellent fish.

    There is an abundance of wood for all purposes in the county. Vast districts
of the county have scarcely been touched by the woodman's axe. Principal among
the timbers which throng the forests are the post oak, white oak, red oak,
blackjack. hickory, poplar, walnut, maple, sourwood, cherry, cedar and
short-leaf pine. There are large milling interests which are engaged in the
conversion of much of this timber into lumber forborne consumption and for
shipment to distant markets.

    Facilities for transportation are found in the Tennessee river, which forms
the northern boundary line of the county; the Louisville & Nashville Railroad,
which runs entirely through, and the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, which
penetrates the northern end of the county and crosses the Louisville & Nashville
system at Decatur. Other railway lines are in contemplation, which are expected
to pierce other portions of the county, and thus greatly enlarge facilities for
the shipment of products: but sufficient outlet for transportation is already
afforded in the lines which now penetrate the county. Unusual advantages for the
shipment of produce is afforded the inhabitants of Morgan, as the competing
lines of railway cross at Decatur, and there also cross the Tennessee river, the
navigation of which will soon be open in both directions.

    The county is being rapidly peopled and correspondingly developed. Minerals
exist in different parts of the county. These are chiefly coal and limestone,
though there is the evident presence of gold, and the indications are that it is
in large quantities. Asphalt also exists, being the first trace of it discovered
in America. Oil and natural gas has also recently been found at Hartselle.
Direct effort has been made to develop these mineral resources, and the
investigations have been satisfactory beyond the expectations of the most sanguine.

    The moral tone of the population of the county is healthy, and excellent
school and church facilities abound in towns and country alike. The schools at
Mountain Home, near Trinity, at Hartselle and at Decatur are regarded the equal
of any institutions in this portion of the State.

    Of the towns. Somerville is an interior village, with a population of
several hundred, and and it is the seat of justice of the county. Decatur, with
a population of 4,000, is the point of greatest interest in the county, and is a
place of growing business importance. See history or Decatur, this volume.

    Trinity, Hartselle, Leesburg, Danville and Valhermoso Springs are points of
chief importance, and possess valuable educational interests.

    Lands in this county may be purchased at prices ranging from $5 to $40 per
acre.

    Considering the competing lines which cross each other in the county, its
superior soil, its climate and medicinal waters, together with its numerous
social advantages, Morgan county is the peer of any other in the great cereal
belt. The people regard with favor and encouragement the settlement of men of
studious, industrious and frugal habits in their midst.

    The county embraces within its limits government land to the extent of
25,280 acres.


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/morgan/history/other/motganco352gms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 8.2 Kb