One day older than the State of Alabama (Dec. 1, 1819), Wilcox County was created by an act of the Territorial Legislature from portions of Dallas and Monroe Counties.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the is area was occupied by aboriginal inhabitants in both pre-historic and historic periods, and that the early Indian towns had substantial communications with the first Europeans that came to the area. However, by the end of the Creek Wars in 1814, white settlements had begun to replace the communities of the red men on the banks of the Alabama River.
The county was named for Lieutenant Joseph M. Wilcox. Wilcox was a graduate in 1812 of the United States Military Academy (West Point). He was commissioned First Lieutenant in the 3rd Infantry and immediately sent to the South.In 1814 Colonel Russell marched his regiment and two companies of volunteers from Fort Claiborne in what is now Monroe County, to the Cahaba River to drive the Indians from that territory. He dispatched a barge laden with provisions up the Alabama River with orders to meet him on the Cahaba. Not finding the barge when he arrived there he sent Lt. Wilcox and five men in a canoe down the Cahaba River to hasten the coming of the barge. Wilcox reached the mouth of the Cahaba and proceeded down the Alabama River and on the evening of the second day after leaving four of six soldiers were captured by the Indians. The Indians took the canoe and went down the river.
The barge passed the mouth of the Cahaba and knowing that Colonel Russell would not wait for it was on its return to Fort Claiborne when it came in sight of the Indian canoe. The Indians, fearing loss of their prisoners, scalped and killed them at the sand bar at the mouth of Pursley Creek in present day Wilcox County. Lt. Wilcox was buried with full military honors at Fort Claiborne on January 7, 1814.
During the early days when cotton was king there were over 50 boat landings along the river in this county. The old paddlewheel boats took on cotton and passengers. Now the principal cargo on the barges is timber products.
The first county seat was located in Canton Bend on the Alabama River, a few miles west of present Camden. Later the seat was moved to Barboursville. Barboursville's name later changed to Camden.
CAMDEN
Incorporated in 1841, Camden was named by Dr. John D. Caldwell to honor his hometown of Camden, South Carolina, and was built on land donated by Thomas Dunn, an early settler. By 1850 Camden had developed into an enterprising political, social, and intellectual center.
The Wilcox Female Institute (1850) attracted students from throughout the South. The Institute building has been restored as a museum and meeting place for cultural and civic organizations. It is also the home of the Wilcox County Historical Society. The building is one of several structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The antebellum courthouse (1859) is part of an historic district which includes all of the structures around the courthouse square. Among famous citizens that Camden claims are Frederick King Beck, Confederate hero and state politician; Alabama Governor Benjamin Meek Miller (1931-1935); Sallie Cargill Jones, founder of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Children of the Confederacy for the State of Alabama in
Among famous citizens that Camden claims are Frederick King Beck, Confederate hero and state politician; Alabama Governor Benjamin Meek Miller (1931-1935); Sallie Cargill Jones, founder of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Children of the Confederacy for the State of Alabama in Camden; Richard Channing Jones, President of the University of Alabama; Dr. Emmett Kilpatrick, eminent scholar, author, and interpreter for President Woodrow Wilson after World War I; Saul Bloch, newspaper publisher and state politician; Roland Cooper, state senator; Mrs. Viola Goode Liddell, author; Kay Ivey, Alabama State Treasurer; and Jeff Sessions, U.S. Senator. Wilcox County is also home to the world renowned quilters of the Gees Bend Quilts. OAK HILL
Oak Hill was settled in the early 1800's by South Carolinians who were members of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church. It was the birthplace of Governor Benjamin Meek Miller. Click here to visit Oak Hill's website.
PINE APPLE
Pine Apple was founded in 1820 and received its name from the abundance of apple and pine trees in the region. The influence of its early settlers may be seen in the fine architecture in the many old homes in the town.
Pine Apple is the home of several annual events such as the Front Porch Tour and Hunter Appreciation Day. For more information, see www.pineapplealabama.comPINE HILL
The earliest settlers arrived in what is now the Pine Hill area in the early 1800's, starting a community known as Arnold, just north of the present intersection of Alabama Highways 5 and 10. The economic life of these community has almost totally depended on the timber and related service industries since Charles A. Sheldon, a Massachusetts lumberman first viewed the "pine clad hill." Subsequently the first post office established in 1839 was called Pine Hill, and Mr. Sheldon was the first postmaster.
When the Mobile and Birmingham Railroad (now Norfolk-Southern) was built in the early 1830's the town was moved about a mile south to a location on the railroad which offered the best site for a station and side tracks. Pine Hill became a timber and rail center when Vredenburgh Sawmill Company located there in 1993. A railroad was built from Pine Hill to Coxheath, about 26 miles to the west. The junctions of these railroads prompted considerable traffic by business men and "drummers," and the locations of as many as five hotels.
YELLOW BLUFF
Yellow Bluff, located on Alabama Highway 5 about midway between Camden and Pine Hill, is the county's newest town. It was incorporated in 1986. Weyerhaeuser Company, and integrated forest products and paper mill, is located near the town. Weyerhaeuser is the county's largest employer.
PRESENT DAY WILCOX COUNTY
Today there are still many antebellum homes in use throughout the county, many still occupied by descendants of the builders. Residential development along the banks of the Alabama River is ongoing. While our economy is still based on the agriculture and forest products industries, tourism has become a major activity. Cotton is still being produced in some parts of the county, but cattle and pine trees are more important to the local economy. Most of our industries are based on the vast forest resources found here. Hunters and fisherman provide a large boost to the local economy as they pursue the abundant wildlife that abides within the county.
Retirees from all over the country have also discovered our beauty and mild climate and have become permanent residents of Wilcox County.
