Alexander City
| Alexander City | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Location in Alabama
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| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | 1872 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| State : | Alabama | ||
| County : | Tallapoosa County | ||
| Coordinates : | 32 ° 56 ′ N , 85 ° 57 ′ W | ||
| Time zone : | Eastern ( UTC − 5 / −4 ) | ||
| Residents : | 14,875 (as of 2010) | ||
| Population density : | 148 inhabitants per km 2 | ||
| Area : | 101.0 km 2 (approx. 39 mi 2 ) of which 100.5 km 2 (approx. 39 mi 2 ) are land |
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| Height : | 215 m | ||
| Postcodes : | 35010, 35011 | ||
| Area code : | +1 256 | ||
| FIPS : | 01-01132 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 0112981 | ||
| Website : | www.alexandercityonline.com | ||
| Mayor : | Barbara H. Young | ||
Alexander City is a city in the US state of Alabama , United States . At the time of the United States Census 2010 it had 14,875 inhabitants and an area of 101 km² (0.4% of which was water). The incumbent mayor is Barbara H. Young.
geography
Alexander City is located southeast of Birmingham in Tallapoosa County on the north-west bank of Lake Martin (a reservoir of the Tallapoosa River), which is a popular destination for tourists and those looking for relaxation with its long wooded banks and 178 square kilometers of water. There are opportunities for boat and yacht excursions, swimming, fishing, golfing and camping in the vicinity. Numerous wealthy citizens have settled in luxury villas along the lake shore. The city is on the highway that runs from Birmingham to Columbus, Georgia , which benefits the city's infrastructure. There is also a railway connection that also connects Alexander City with these two cities.
history
Since 1698 a trade route used by the British existed in the area, on which the stations Flint Hill, Young's Ferry and Kowaliga were. In 1814 the US General and later President Andrew Jackson achieved a decisive victory against the Muskogee in the battle of Horseshoe Bend just east of the town , who were forced to cede the land on the Tallapoosa River in 1832. Five years later, James Young acquired 320 acres of what is now the city and established a settlement there that was initially named Youngsville after him. At the beginning the place was still too small and insignificant to play a role in the Civil War , in 1872 Methodists and Baptists each built a church in the town. In 1873 Youngsville received a railway connection through the Savannah & Memphis Railway and was renamed Alexander City after the president of the company, Edward P. Alexander . In 1879 Alexander City received the first community school, in 1884 BFC Russell moved to the town, which subsequently built a factory here, which is still the largest employer in the city to this day.
A courthouse was built in the city in 1889, and a cotton factory was established in 1900. In 1902 the Russell factory (production of underwear) started operations, in the same year Alexander City was struck by a large fire that caused considerable property damage. Characteristic of the influence of entrepreneurs in the epoch of "big business" was that in 1907 TC Russell, the brother of the then company boss Ben, became mayor of Alexander City. In the years 1923–1926 the construction of the Martin dam took place, which changed the face of the landscape, at the same time ensured a better energy supply and a growth of the tourism industry. In 1950 a high school was built, named after the entrepreneur Benjamin Russell. In 1956, the neighboring battlefield of Horseshoe Bend was declared a National Monument. New educational opportunities were also created in Alexander City, such as the Alexander City Junior College in 1965, but the city was characterized by racial segregation in everyday life until the 1950s and 1960s, so that the black population did not have the same opportunities for advancement for a long time. In 2000, a "time capsule" was sunk into the earth in the "Time Capsule Park" named after it at Children's Harbor, which is intended to give future generations an insight into the life of the place at the turn of the millennium.
Demographics
In 2000, Alexander City had 15,008 inhabitants (4,134 families) in 6,152 households, 70.6% of the residents were counted as white, 28.4% as black, 0.1% are of Indian origin, 0.3% are Asians, 0.5% Hispanics and Latinos. 24% of the population are under 18, 19% over 65, the average age is 39. For every 100 women in Alexander City there are 85 men. The median household income in the parish is $ 29,309 annually; H. $ 17,305 per capita, which puts this rural community, despite its good infrastructure, slightly below the average for the state of Alabama (approx. $ 20,000), which is one of the last ranks in the USA. In addition, no less than 16.7% of the population are below the poverty line, with an above-average number of non-whites being affected; the luxury villas on the shores of Lake Martin, which are mostly owned by whites, clearly document the ongoing social inequalities.
Attractions
- Lake Martin - reservoir with numerous excursion and recreational opportunities
- Horseshoe Bend National Military Park - Memorial at the site of the battle of March 27, 1814, covers 2,040 acres with a visitor center and museum. The museum is a so-called drive-thru museum that can be accessed by car.
- Wind Creek State Park.
- Charles E. Bailey Sr. Sportplex.
- TC Russell Airfield - right next to Russell and on the highway.
- Lake Martin Amphitheater - 2,500-seat open-air event venue.
- Martin Dam - power plant with an output of 301.7 million kWh; the dam created the largest artificial lake in the world at the time of its construction (in terms of volume).
- DARE Power Park - Leisure center located between Alexander City and Dadeville.
- Chimney Rock - Popular excursion island in the lake.
- Children's Harbor - New England town-style lakeside settlement with a church and a small lighthouse.
- Camp ASCCA - largest camping facility in the region with over 10,000 visitors annually.
Established businesses
The largest employer in the region is Russell Athletic.
Medical supplies
The hospital was named after the largest local company.
education
In the place exist at educational institutions u. a .:
- the Alexander City Junior College
- the Ben Russell High School
- a middle school
- and three other schools (Radney, Stevens and Jim Pearson School)
The city's main library is the Adelia M. Russell Library, which is housed in a two-story building.
politics
The current mayor is Barbara H. Young. The City Council has 6 members and is divided regionally according to the districts of the city. City council and mayoral elections take place every 4 years.
Festivals
Typical festivals in the city are the traditional July 4th and Christmas celebrations, the Homestead Festival, the Jazzfest and the Oktoberfest.
sons and daughters of the town
- George Hardy (born 1954), actor and dentist
- Terrell Owens (born 1973), American football player
Individual evidence
- ↑ US Census Bureau QuickFacts: Alexander City city, Alabama; United States. Retrieved August 13, 2020 .