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Hamilton, Alabama
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Hamilton is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1896[4] and since 1980 has been the county's largest city, surpassing Winfield. It was previously the largest town in 1910.[5] At the 2020 census, the population was 7,042.[3]
Key Information
History
[edit]Hamilton was founded in the early 19th century by settlers who moved to the Alabama Territory from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas. It is built upon lands that once served as "hunting grounds" for the Chickasaw people. The city was first called "Toll Gate", but its name later changed in honor of one of its distinguished citizens, Captain Albert James Hamilton (known as A.J. Hamilton), who had represented Marion County in the state legislature in the sessions of 1869, 1874 and 1875. Captain Hamilton donated forty acres of his land to the town. The same forty acres were then divided into lots and sold to help defray the cost of building the courthouse.[6] The Toll Gate community was elected in 1881 to be the next county seat, and by 1883 the Marion County courthouse in Pikeville had ceased to be functional. When the courthouse was moved from Pikeville to Toll Gate, the town's name was then changed from Toll Gate to Hamilton. On March 30, 1887, the newly built county courthouse was destroyed by fire.[7] It was again rebuilt with wood, but replaced in 1901 with native sandstone.
During the Civil War, Union forces passed through the town in search of goods and horses. A detachment of Wilson's Cavalry destroyed by fire the plantation belonging to the Helvingstons on the Military Ford, south of Toll Gate (Hamilton).[8]
Geography
[edit]Hamilton is located west of the center of Marion County, in the valley of the Buttahatchee River. Interstate 22 passes around the southern and western sides of the city, with access from Exits 7, 11, 14, and 16. I-22 leads west 45 miles (72 km) to Tupelo, Mississippi, and southeast 89 miles (143 km) to Birmingham. U.S. Routes 43 and 278 pass through Hamilton. US 43 leads north 53 miles (85 km) to Florence, while US 278 leads east 74 miles (119 km) to Cullman. The two highways join at the center of Hamilton and lead south together 13 miles (21 km) to Guin.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Hamilton has a total area of 38.1 square miles (99 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), 0.04%, are water.[2] The Buttahatchee River, a tributary of the Tombigbee River, flows northeast to southwest through the city, east of downtown.
Climate
[edit]According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hamilton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Hamilton was 109 °F (42.8 °C) on August 16, 2007, while the coldest temperature recorded was −19 °F (−28.3 °C) on January 30, 1966.[9]
| Climate data for Hamilton, Alabama, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1962–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 79 (26) |
87 (31) |
90 (32) |
95 (35) |
98 (37) |
103 (39) |
107 (42) |
109 (43) |
104 (40) |
102 (39) |
91 (33) |
81 (27) |
109 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 72.3 (22.4) |
76.8 (24.9) |
84.0 (28.9) |
88.1 (31.2) |
91.5 (33.1) |
95.9 (35.5) |
98.3 (36.8) |
98.7 (37.1) |
95.8 (35.4) |
88.8 (31.6) |
80.4 (26.9) |
72.8 (22.7) |
100.2 (37.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 52.5 (11.4) |
57.6 (14.2) |
66.7 (19.3) |
75.1 (23.9) |
81.9 (27.7) |
88.5 (31.4) |
91.5 (33.1) |
91.3 (32.9) |
86.5 (30.3) |
76.1 (24.5) |
64.1 (17.8) |
55.1 (12.8) |
73.9 (23.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 40.4 (4.7) |
44.3 (6.8) |
52.1 (11.2) |
60.1 (15.6) |
68.5 (20.3) |
76.3 (24.6) |
79.8 (26.6) |
79.1 (26.2) |
73.3 (22.9) |
61.6 (16.4) |
50.1 (10.1) |
43.3 (6.3) |
60.7 (16.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 28.3 (−2.1) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
37.5 (3.1) |
45.1 (7.3) |
55.1 (12.8) |
64.1 (17.8) |
68.1 (20.1) |
66.9 (19.4) |
60.1 (15.6) |
47.1 (8.4) |
36.1 (2.3) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
47.6 (8.7) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 9.5 (−12.5) |
13.9 (−10.1) |
19.3 (−7.1) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
38.5 (3.6) |
52.3 (11.3) |
59.1 (15.1) |
57.3 (14.1) |
43.9 (6.6) |
29.1 (−1.6) |
19.5 (−6.9) |
15.2 (−9.3) |
7.5 (−13.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −19 (−28) |
−1 (−18) |
5 (−15) |
21 (−6) |
30 (−1) |
37 (3) |
48 (9) |
46 (8) |
30 (−1) |
21 (−6) |
9 (−13) |
−5 (−21) |
−19 (−28) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.46 (139) |
6.01 (153) |
5.29 (134) |
6.09 (155) |
5.79 (147) |
4.86 (123) |
5.12 (130) |
4.31 (109) |
3.94 (100) |
3.84 (98) |
4.58 (116) |
6.42 (163) |
61.71 (1,567) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.4 (1.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
1.3 (3.27) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.5 | 10.2 | 10.5 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.6 | 10.2 | 9.1 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 8.5 | 10.0 | 109.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 |
| Source 1: NOAA[10] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 235 | — | |
| 1910 | 422 | 79.6% | |
| 1920 | 487 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 695 | 42.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,002 | 44.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,623 | 62.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,934 | 19.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,088 | 59.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,093 | 64.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,787 | 13.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,786 | 17.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,885 | 1.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,042 | 2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
2000 census
[edit]At the 2000 census there were 6,786 people, 2,695 households, and 1,800 families living in the city. The population density was 188.0 inhabitants per square mile (72.6/km2). There were 3,065 housing units at an average density of 84.9 per square mile (32.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.41% White, 7.59% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[12] Of the 2,695 households 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.6% of households were one person and 14.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.
The age distribution was 19.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median household income was $27,489 and the median family income was $34,485. Males had a median income of $26,362 versus $18,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,505. About 12.0% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
[edit]At the 2010 census there were 6,885 people, 2,717 households, and 1,793 families living in the city. The population density was 190.7 inhabitants per square mile (73.6/km2). There were 3,096 housing units at an average density of 85.8 per square mile (33.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.3% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 3.1% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[13] Of the 2,717 households 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.9% of households were one person and 13.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83.
The age distribution was 19.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% 65 or older. The median age was 43.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.2 males.
The median household income was $31,297 and the median family income was $42,361. Males had a median income of $31,112 versus $30,542 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,442. About 12.1% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.1% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
[edit]| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 5,907 | 83.88% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 491 | 6.97% |
| Native American | 30 | 0.43% |
| Asian | 23 | 0.33% |
| Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.1% |
| Other/Mixed | 292 | 4.15% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 292 | 4.15% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,042 people, 2,684 households, and 1,695 families residing in the city.
Arts and culture
[edit]Several cemeteries in Hamilton still celebrate annual Decoration Days in the spring and summer.[citation needed]
Artifacts
[edit]Festivals
[edit]- Jerry Brown Arts Festival[17] (held annually the first weekend in March)
- Buttahatchee River Fall Fest[18] (held annually in October)
- Hamilton's Hometown Christmas[19] (held annually in December)
Parades
[edit]- Homecoming parade (sponsored by Hamilton High School each fall)
- Hamilton Christmas parade (held annually in December)
Parks and recreation
[edit]- E.T. Sims Jr. Recreation Center, park, and playground
- Key Branch Nature Trail and Aggieland Disc Golf course
- Splash Pad playground
Education
[edit]Hamilton is a part of the Marion County School District. Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Hamilton High School serve the Hamilton area.
Hamilton has a branch campus of Bevill State Community College.
Media
[edit]Hamilton's local newspaper, The Journal Record, has a second office in Winfield, Alabama.
Hamilton is home to two local television stations: WMTY TV 46 (cable channel 5 ), and TV8-WATVC.
Infrastructure
[edit]Marion County – Rankin Fite Airport is located in Hamilton.[20]
There is no fixed-route transit service in Hamilton. However, the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments operates a dial-a-ride transit service known as NACOLG Transit.[21]
Notable people
[edit]- Bookie Bolin, former NFL player
- Jerry Brown, folk artist and traditional potter
- Roger Brown, artist
- Clay Dyer, professional bass fisherman
- Rankin Fite, Alabama State Legislature (Senate & House of Representatives)
- Rex Frederick, first head coach of the University of South Alabama men's basketball team
- John Dabney Terrell Sr., planter and legislator
- Karen Wheaton, Christian music artist, minister, founder of The Ramp
References
[edit]- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hamilton, Alabama
- ^ a b "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "Hamilton city, Alabama: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
- ^ Hellmann, Paul T. (February 14, 2006). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. ISBN 1135948593 – via Google Books.
- ^ 1820-2010 U.S. Censuses research on Marion County, Alabama communities
- ^ The Heritage of Marion County, Alabama, vol. 47, Clanton, Al. 2000, p. 275 ISBN 1-891647-28-8
- ^ Marion Herald, April 5, 1887, pg 8
- ^ John M. Allman III (ed.), An Abbreviated History of Marion County, Ala. Archived April 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine - The Marion County Historical & Genealogical Societies, Alabama Tracks vol. XI #4 1992.
- ^ a b "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Birmingham". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hamilton 3 S, AL". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ "The Hamilton Mounds Site". Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail. The University of Alabama. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Indian Mounds". Visit Hamilton, AL. Hamilton Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Jerry Brown Arts Festival". Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Buttahatchee River Fall Fest". Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Calendar of Events". City of Hamilton, Alabama. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport". AirNav.com. AirNav, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "NACOLG Transit". Retrieved November 10, 2024.
External links
[edit]Hamilton, Alabama
View on GrokipediaHistory
Early settlement and founding
Prior to European settlement, the area encompassing present-day Hamilton, Alabama, served as hunting grounds for the Chickasaw people, who utilized the region's fertile lands and rivers, including the Buttahatchee, for sustenance and trade.[7] The Chickasaw, one of the "civilized tribes" of the Southeast, maintained presence in what became Marion County until the 1816 cessions opened the territory to non-Native settlement, and they notably provided corn and goods to early pioneers to support their establishment.[7] European-American settlement in the Hamilton vicinity began in the early 19th century, with migrants primarily from Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and the Carolinas arriving around 1817–1818 following the land cessions.[7] The first recorded settler was William Ragsdale, who established a home near the Buttahatchee River in 1818, in an area initially known as Toll Gate due to a toll gate on the Military Road—a route authorized by the Alabama Legislature in 1821 to facilitate north-south travel and commerce.[4] This toll gate served as a key stopover for travelers, fostering a small trading post and farming community centered on agriculture and river-based exchange.[8] A post office was established at Toll Gate in 1838, further solidifying its role as an early hub in Marion County.[7] The community's founding as Hamilton occurred in 1883, when it was renamed in honor of Captain Albert James Hamilton, a local merchant, planter, and Confederate veteran born in Marion County in 1838.[4][9] Captain Hamilton donated 40 acres of his land in Toll Gate to the community, with proceeds from lot sales intended for public improvements, following a local referendum that prompted the name change.[4] This act transformed the modest settlement into the organized town of Hamilton, laying the groundwork for its subsequent growth.[4]Development as county seat
In the mid-19th century, the area that would become Hamilton, then known as Toll Gate, was affected by the divisions of the Civil War, with Marion County exhibiting strong Unionist sentiments that led it to vote against secession in both 1861 referendums.[10] Local Confederate supporters, led by figures like Ham Carpenter, clashed with Union sympathizers known as Tories under George Stuart, who conducted raids on Toll Gate and nearby Pikeville.[11] Following the war, dissatisfaction with Pikeville's remote location as Marion County's seat prompted Captain Albert J. Hamilton, a prominent local resident and son-in-law of Judge Claudius Terrell, to petition the Alabama Legislature for a new county seat election in 1880.[4] The legislature authorized the election, and Toll Gate won decisively in 1881, leading to the official relocation of the county seat from Pikeville in 1882.[12] Captain Hamilton donated 40 acres of land for the new townsite, which was renamed Hamilton in his honor, and lots were sold to fund public buildings, marking the community's transition from a roadside toll station to the county's administrative center.[5] The first county courthouse, a wooden structure, was constructed in Hamilton in 1883 to house county operations.[13] However, it was destroyed by fire on March 30, 1887, along with many records, prompting a special session of the county commissioners to oversee immediate rebuilding.[13] A replacement wooden courthouse was completed later that year and served until a more substantial brick structure was built in 1902.[5] Hamilton received a state charter and was incorporated as a city in 1896, formalizing its municipal government under Mayor William R. White, who was elected the following January.[14] This incorporation supported ongoing development, including the establishment of schools and churches, as the town grew from its roots in early settlement along the Buttahatchee River.[4] Into the early 20th century, Hamilton experienced modest growth spurred by regional railroad expansion, including lines like the Northern Alabama Railway that connected nearby areas in the late 1880s and early 1900s, facilitating trade and migration.[15] By 1900, the town's population had reached 235 residents, reflecting steady increases from the county seat relocation and infrastructural improvements.[16]Geography
Location and boundaries
Hamilton is situated in Marion County in the northwest region of Alabama, United States, approximately 10 miles (16 km) from the Mississippi state border. As the county seat, it occupies a central position within the county and lies along the Buttahatchee River valley, which influences its surrounding landscape.[5] The geographic coordinates of Hamilton are 34°8′7″N 87°59′20″W.[17] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city encompasses a total area of 38.08 square miles (98.6 km²), consisting of 38.06 square miles (98.6 km²) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) of water (2020).[1] Hamilton's municipal boundaries primarily border unincorporated areas of Marion County, with adjacent communities including the town of Hackleburg to the northwest and Bear Creek to the southwest; the city limits extend outward to incorporate rural lands while maintaining proximity to these neighboring locales.[18][19]Physical geography
Hamilton, Alabama, sits at an elevation of 489 feet (149 m) above sea level, as determined from U.S. Geological Survey topographic mapping data.[20] This moderate height positions the city within a landscape of gently undulating terrain, contributing to its role as a hub in northwest Alabama's rural setting. The terrain surrounding Hamilton features rolling hills characteristic of the Buttahatchee River valley, where the city is located.[21] This valley forms part of the broader Appalachian foothills, with the area's topography shaped by the Ridge-and-Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains.[22] The geological context involves folded and thrust-faulted sedimentary rocks, including resistant sandstones and cherts forming ridges, contrasted by softer shales and carbonates in the valleys, resulting in a northeast-southwest trending pattern of subparallel landforms.[22] Nearby natural features include the Buttahatchee River, a significant tributary that flows through the region and supports diverse habitats.[23] The surrounding environment encompasses upland pine-oak forests, bottomland hardwoods, extensive wetlands, and agricultural lands, which dominate the watershed and provide ecological diversity.[24] These elements highlight the area's integration into the Ridge-and-Valley geological framework, influencing local soil composition and land use.[22]Climate
Weather patterns
Hamilton, Alabama, features a humid subtropical climate under the Köppen classification of Cfa, characterized by four distinct seasons with no prolonged dry period.[25] This classification applies across much of the southeastern United States, including northwest Alabama, where proximity to the Gulf of Mexico contributes to consistent moisture availability.[26] Summers in Hamilton are typically hot and humid, with high temperatures often exceeding 90°F (32°C) from June through August, accompanied by muggy conditions that elevate discomfort levels. Winters are mild, with average highs around 50°F (10°C) and occasional light freezes, rarely dipping into severe cold. Spring and fall serve as transitional periods, marked by variable weather and increasing storm activity. Frequent thunderstorms are a hallmark of the region's weather, occurring on average 70 to 80 days per year in northwest Alabama, driven by the clash of warm, moist Gulf air with cooler continental fronts.[27][28] Annual precipitation averages around 62 inches (157 cm), distributed relatively evenly but peaking during the winter months, particularly December and March, when frontal systems bring heavier rainfall.[29] This pattern supports lush vegetation but also contributes to occasional flooding risks. The city's location in Dixie Alley heightens vulnerability to tornadoes, a secondary hazard often embedded within these thunderstorms, with the highest activity in spring and fall due to atmospheric instability.[30]Temperature and precipitation records
The all-time record high temperature in Hamilton was 109°F (43°C), recorded on August 16, 2007.[31] This extreme heat was part of a broader heat wave across northwest Alabama during late summer that year. A severe Arctic outbreak affected the Southeast on January 30, 1966, marking one of the coldest readings in Marion County and coinciding with Alabama's statewide record low of -27°F near New Market on the same date. Monthly average high and low temperatures in Hamilton reflect its humid subtropical climate, with the warmest month being July at an average high of 91°F (33°C) and low of 68°F (20°C), and the coolest month January at an average high of 53°F (12°C) and low of 28°F (-2°C).[29] Other monthly averages include February (58°F/31°F), March (67°F/38°F), April (75°F/45°F), May (82°F/55°F), June (89°F/64°F), August (90°F/66°F), September (85°F/59°F), October (75°F/47°F), November (65°F/37°F), and December (55°F/30°F).[29] Precipitation in Hamilton averages 61.71 inches annually, with extremes including a high of 68.23 inches in 1961 and a low of 36.31 inches in 1952 based on historical data from 1930 to 1961.[32] Notable heavy rainfall events have led to flooding, such as 10.5 inches in April 1979, which contributed to localized flooding in Marion County.[33] The highest single-day precipitation on record for the area was 6.45 inches on February 1, 1951.[32]Demographics
Historical population
| Year | Population | % Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 100 | — |
| 1900 | 235 | 135.0% |
| 1910 | 424 | 80.4% |
| 1920 | 581 | 37.0% |
| 1930 | 1,305 | 124.6% |
| 1940 | 1,944 | 49.0% |
| 1950 | 2,286 | 17.6% |
| 1960 | 2,896 | 26.7% |
| 1970 | 3,457 | 19.4% |
| 1980 | 3,516 | 1.7% |
| 1990 | 6,447 | 83.3% |
| 2000 | 6,513 | 1.0% |
| 2010 | 6,885 | 5.7% |
| 2020 | 7,042 | 2.3% |
2020 census details
According to the 2020 United States Census, Hamilton, Alabama, had a total population of 7,042. The sex distribution was 51.6% male and 48.4% female.[36] The racial and ethnic composition was as follows (percentages for race alone, non-Hispanic unless noted):| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 83.88% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 6.97% |
| Two or More Races | 4.08% |
| Some Other Race | 1.45% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 2.87% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.43% |
| Asian | 0.33% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0.00% |
