The county of Tuscaloosa was
organized in 1818. It is called from the Indian name of its principal
stream. It is one of the most
noted counties of the State, its
principal city having once been the capital of Alabama, and being now the
seat of the State University, the Insane Asylum, as well as that of a
number of female schools of distinction.
The elements of wealth of Tuscaloosa
county are varied. There is a great variety of soils as well as
productions, and the county has considerable wealth of
minerals.
It has an area of 1,390 square
miles.
Population in 1870, 20,081;
population in 1880, 24,957. White, 15,216; colored, 9,741.
Tilled Land: 111,171 acres.—Area
planted in cotton, 33,773 acres; in corn, 38,638 acres; in oats, 6,974
acres; in wheat, 2,689 acres; in rye, 130 acres; in sugar-cane, 35 acres;
in tobacco, 20 acres; in sweet potatoes, 919 acres.
Cotton Production : 11,137
bales.
Throughout the county of Tuscaloosa,
the surface is hilly and broken. This irregularity prevails more in some
quarters than in others perhaps, but this is the general rule. The lands
vary greatly in their fertility. In the eastern, northeastern and northern
parts of the county, there are but few lands of any great value for
purposes of cultivation. The soil is saudy, though there are districts
where the land is found quite productive. Fertilizers, judiciously used,
would make even the most unpromising soils, in these sections of the
county, productive. Through the center of Tuscaloosa, and in the western
and southern portions, the most valuable and remunerative soils are found.
The lands most esteemed by farmers are those lying along the streams.
These bottoms are, in some sections, very narrow, but are almost
invariably fertile. The best lauds for planting lie along the Warrior
river, in the lower portion of the county.
After this river sweeps past the city
of Tuscaloosa, the bottoms begin to broaden, and have long been in
cultivation. In this section are found some of the most inviting farms in
the State. Both corn and cotton yield quite abundantly. The greater part
of the cotton crop of Tuscaloosa county is raised upon the valley lands.
It must not be inferred from the foregoing that the productive soils are
restricted to the basins of the county. Such is not the fact. There is a
large quantity of upland soil which is much prized for its productive
capabilities. It is
estimated that fully one-half of the tillable soils of Tuscaloosa county
are devoted to the production of cottou. Corn, oats, peas, rye, and
sorghum, grow with great readiness Grasses and clovers grow splendidly
when cultivated. Through the forests and upon the old fields and castaway
lands, there is, during three-fourths of the year, a sward of native
clovers and grasses, which afford excellent pasturage facilities to stock.
This taken in connection with the fact that the county is remarkably well
watered, especially in such sections as where the best herbage springs,
indicates the favorableness of this region to stock-raising. Appreciating
this fact, many of the inhabitants are already engaged in this lucrative
branch of industry.
The forests of the county are stocked
with yellow or long-leaf pine, which grows abundantly and at great height;
the beech, white, red, blackjack, and Spanish oaks, sweet gum, poplar,
elm, hickory, bay, cherry, and cottonwood. There are many saw-mills in the
county devoted to the manufacture of lumber. The numerous streams which
flow through these immense forests usually have considerable fall, and
afford many valuable seats for mills and other similar enterprises. The
water-power of the county is immense. The mineral wealth of the county,
though largely undeveloped, is great. It has been estimated that nearly,
if not quite, five-sevenths of the total area of the county contains coal.
The quality of the coal is good. The coal measures of this county are
regarded the thickest of the Warrior coalfield, and, indeed, the thickest
known to exist in the world. Nothing more than a bare mention can be made
here of the extensive mineral wealth of the county. To those interested in
the examination of the matter, reference is made to the accurate report of
Professor Henry McCalley, assistant State geologist, on the Warrior
coalfield. It is published under the auspices of the State, and is for
gratuitous distribution. Flagging stone and manganese are found in the
county. Transportation is secured through the Alabama Great Southern railroad and the Warrior
river. The former of these furnishes commercial facilities to New Orleans
and Cincinnati, and the latter opens up a natural highway to the gulf. The
new railroad from Mobile to the Tennessee river is expected to run through
this county. These, together with the natural advantages, render
Tuscaloosa an inviting point for residence.
As has already been intimated, the
water supply of the county is exhaustless. The streams are the Black
Warrior, Sipsey, and North rivers; and Valley, Yellow, Grant's, Rock
Castle, Wolf, Shoal, Davis, and Big Sandy creeks. Several of these
penetrate large districts of heavy, valuable timber. In the low places, usually along the
creeks, are found dense brakes of wild cane, which is greatly relished by
stock. Fruit of several varieties abound throughout the county. Chief
among these are apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and strawberries.
There are several thriving industries in the county, among which may be
named the Tuscaloosa Cotton Mills, at Cottondale; and the Tuscaloosa
Cotton Factory, the iron foundry, and the cotton-seed oil mills, near the
city of Tuscaloosa. Other industries are in contemplation.
The points of interest in the county
are Tuscaloosa, the county seat, with a population of 2,000; Northport,
Cottondale, and Fosters.
Tuscaloosa is one of the most
inviting points in the State, both as a place of residence, and as a
manufacturing location. Its proximity to the great mineral fields, and its
location at the head of navigation on the Warrior, give it decided
advantage as a manufacturing point. For many years it has been the seat of
the University of Alabama, one of the most distinguished literary
institutions of the South. Institutions for female education also exist.
The city has long been noted for its beauty, its broad streets, shaded by
the native wateroak; its handsome churches, superb school buildings,
and attractive residences. In social culture, it is the peer of any
Southern city. Its location is favorable to the planting of industrial
enterprises. Just beyond its limits arc the falls of the Warrior river,
which, by reason of their immense power, are admirably suited to the
location of manufactories. Surrounded by so many elements of natural
wealth, and possessing a healthfulness of location, the city of Tuscaloosa
is destined to great prominence in the future. It is located at the head
of navigation of the Warrior river, and enjoys commercial relations
with Mobile through a line of steamers.
An iron bridge spans the river in the
northwestern part of the city, and unites it with the thrifty town of
Northport, beyond the Warrior. Lands are variously estimated in different
portions of the county, and
range fron $2 to $25 per acre.
Within the limits of the county are
109,520 acres of government land.
Source: Alabama As It Is by Benjamin Franklin
Riley, D. D., 1887 , Transcribed by C.
Anthony
