Why did people originally come to Coosa County?

Note: This is part of an ongoing monthly column series submitted by the Coosa County Historical Society members regarding our county history.

Coosa County, from its very beginning, was a unique place. Its springs; branches and its river, the Coosa; played an important role in its development. There were numerous hills and valleys along the waterways, and although the valleys were not generally large, they were fertile.

People came to Coosa County, Ala., in the 1800s for several key reasons tied to broader social, economic and political trends of the time.

After the forced removal of the Muscogee (Creek) people in the 1830s (as part of the Indian Removal Act), large areas of fertile land in central Alabama, including Coosa County, were opened for settlement. The rich soil, warm climate and availability of water sources made it ideal for cotton farming, which was a booming industry in the South during this period.

The invention of the cotton gin in the late 1700s had made short-staple cotton profitable, increasing demand for farmland. Settlers moved into Coosa County to establish farms, and in some cases, plantations, with a few using enslaved labor and/or sharecroppers to grow cotton as a cash crop.

The early to mid 1800s were marked by westward expansion in the United States, with people moving from older states like Georgia and the Carolinas in search of land and opportunity. Coosa County, created in 1832, was part of this “frontier” region where land was less expensive and more available.

The Coosa River, which runs along the western boundary of the county, was an important transportation route for moving goods, lumber and especially cotton, to markets.

As setters arrived, they built towns, roads, schools, and churches, creating more permanent communities that attracted additional migration.

People began leaving Coosa County in the late 1800s, with more significant outmigration occurring after the Civil War. Several factors contributed to this trend.

The Civil War devastated the Southern economy, including Alabama. Many farms were destroyed, and economic systems collapsed. The economy struggled, leading to a decline in prosperity and prompting some residents to leave in search of better opportunities.

Also, during the 1870-1880s, cotton farming suffered because of soil exhaustion from years of overuse. Declining crop yields made farming less profitable, pushing small farmers, both black and white, to seek better land elsewhere, especially in the lands to the west (e.g., Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas).

Many areas in Coosa County were left behind as railroad lines favored more commercially viable routes. As opportunities dried up, many people moved to cities like Birmingham or Montgomery for industrial jobs.

A major boll weevil infestation occurred around 1910-1920 that devastated cotton crops throughout Alabama, including Coosa County. This pushed many farmers into poverty and bankruptcy, forcing them to seek livelihoods elsewhere.

Census data reflects the following population numbers for Coosa County and demonstrates the patterns described above: 1840 – 6,995, 1850 – 14,533, 1860 – 19,273, 1900 – 16,144, 1940 – 13,460, 2000 – 12,202, and finally in 2020, Coosa County’s population was 10,387.

In 1870, the population was 11,945 with an increase to 15,113 by 1880. The steep drop in 1870 was likely tied to both the Civil War and the establishment of Elmore County in 1866, which took land from the southern portion of Coosa (primarily the Wetumpka area); however, a rebound occurred in 1880 because of shifts in agricultural practices, internal population growth and recovery from the disruptions of the war.

During the early part of the twentieth century, there were schools in most of our communities, and Coosa County was in the forefront in educating black students through the influence of Booker T. Washington and Tuskegee Institute. Cottage Grove School was started before March 1905.

During the 1930s, a native Coosan, Sydney Z. Mitchell, was one of the leaders regarding the distribution of electricity to the entire world. Jordan Dam was to be named for him, but he insisted that any tribute for him be directed to his grandmother, Ann Jordan. His home is still known as “Five Star” in Kellyton and is known worldwide as a premier hunting destination.

After World War I and II, our soldiers returned home to Coosa County after being exposed to different ways of life, lines of work and trades they had never known. Their “farm” knowledge had greatly contributed to our success in the wars.

Their exposure during the wars broadened their horizons significantly, and Coosa was enlightened through the ones that were physically able to return home. Benefits such as veterans’ classes and the GI bill changed many lives. The brave men and women that lost their lives during these conflicts will always be deeply appreciated.

In the latter part of the twentieth century, many of our population worked in neighboring counties in textile mills, lumber yards and in various state and local positions. These out-of-county jobs also contributed to the continued loss in population and the sale of county properties to large timber corporations.

Although a great exodus has been occurring over the years, several pioneer families have managed to remain in their beloved county, with many holding original property which their ancestors either inherited or worked to purchase through the sweat of their brow.

Some of the surnames from the 1850 U.S. Coosa County Census that the writer recognizes as still being a part of the greater Coosa Community are: Anderson, Austin, Bailey, Baker, Burton, Baxley, Beasley, Bell, Blake, Blankenship, Bradley, Brown, Bulger, Bullard, Burke, Bush, Butler, Callaway, Camp, Cardwell, Carlton, Castleberry, Chapman, Cleveland, Collier, Collins, Corley, Cousins, Cowart, Crayton, Crew, Culver, Daugherty, Davis, Dean, DeBardenlaben, Denson, Dobson, Duke, Dunlap, Edwards, Ellison, Embry, Evans, Ezekiel, Ferguson, Fiquette, Forbus, Fuller, Futral, Gaither, Gallops, Gilbert, Gill, Gillespie, Gilliland, Girdner, Glenn, Goggans, Green, Hamilton, Hannon, Hardy, Harrel, Harris, Hatchett, Hawkins, Hay, Hickey, Hicks, Hill, Hilyer, Hodges, Holman, Howard, Howell, Hughes, Hull, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Johnston, Jones, Jordan, Kelly/Kelley, King, Lauderdale, Law, Lee, Lennard, Lewis, Little, Livingston, Logan, Long, Lykes, McConnell, McDonald, McElrath, McEwen, McGrady, McKinney, Mallory, Mann, Marbury, Martin, Massey, Mattox, Meadows, Miller, Mitchell, Mooney, Moore, Morris, Murchison, Neighbors, Newberry, Nicholson, Nix, Palmer, Patterson, Pearce, Penton, Perkins, Phillips, Pody, Porter, Posey, Powell, Prather, Ray, Riley, Robbins, Roberson, Robinson, Rogers, Sanford, Sewell, Shaw, Sims, Smith, Smoot, Snider, Stewart, Teal, Thomas, Thornton, Tinsley, Towns, Tuck, Turner, Vardaman, Varner, Walker, Wall, Walls, Ward, Welch, Whetstone, Wilson, Wood, Woods, Yarbrough, and Ziegler.

I’m sure that many were missed on this list, but my point is that this county has been loved and celebrated by many Coosans for almost 200 years. Your help is needed by the Historical Society to keep our histories alive. Become a member, volunteer and/or donate. You can reach us through our Facebook page or at P.O. Box 5; Rockford, AL 35136.