Welcome! Lawrence County is a wonderful place to live and work, a place with kind people and unlimited opportunities. Our communities offer a beautiful panorama considered exceptional by the many people who come to live or visit with us. From the shores of the Tennessee River to the Bankhead National Forest, we have unprecedented opportunities and a unique identity.

Building on our heritage is the driving force in our communities. Access to quality education, employment opportunities and health care services are cornerstones of our commitment to the future.

For the outdoorsman, we offer everything from sailing and fishing on the Tennessee River to rappelling, hunting or canoeing in the Bankhead National Forest. Cultural activities are within an easy drive from anywhere in the county. Whatever suits your style, Lawrence County has it all.

In Lawrence County, our most important asset is our people. Calvin Coolidge utilized a poem about persistence that has come to exemplify our community's willingness to reach for higher and higher standards. "Nothing can take the place of persistence. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Our people are special and we want to offer an invitation for you to meet them personally. On behalf of the leadership and staff of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce: Welcome. Come see LIS again or stay with us a lifetime!

Sincerely,


George T. Simms,
Executive Director Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
14220 Court Street, P. 0. Box 325
Moulton, Alabama 35650
(256) 974-1658 (256) 974-4821 FAX
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~lcc
E-mail: lcc@hiwaay.net

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Lawrence County is older than the state of Alabama. Located in the northwestern section of the State, Lawrence County is bounded on the North by the Tennessee River that separates it from Lauderdale and Limestone Counties and on the East by Morgan County. The county is also bounded on the South by Winston County and the West by Franklin and Colbert Counties. It was created by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on February 4, 1818, from lands acquired by the Chickasaw and Cherokee Cessions of 1816 and named in honor of Captain James Lawrence, Naval hero of the War of 1812. Moulton was selected as the County seat in 1820; the County business prior to that date having been transacted at Marathon. The county has a population of approximately 33,000. The county includes 696 square miles within its borders. Lawrence County was the home of General Phillip Rhoddy, Confederate Cavalry commander General Joseph Wheeler, Governor David P. Lewis and J. M. Peters, State Supreme Court Judge.

The city of Moulton was incorporated December 17, 1819, and named for Lt. Michael Moulton who died fighting under General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The town proper encompasses about eight square miles and has a population of approximately 4,500. The people of Moulton have exemplified their founder’s courageous spirit through the years to bring about steady growth and development, build better schools and churches, and produce dedicated, loyal citizens.

The character of a southern town’s heritage is captured in the historic district of Courtland, Alabama. Just a short jaunt off a major highway, Courtland offers a trip through the history of a nineteenth century town. Reflecting the town’s beginning as a local trade center rooted in the surrounding plantation economy are more than 100 homes, buildings and sites dating from c. 1820 to c. 1938.

Courtland was named to the National Register of Historic Places for its 1818 development of the early town plan built with unusually large concentration of significant buildings. Built on a site that was formerly an Indian village on Big Nance Creek, Courtland’s location was chosen by planters from Virginia and the Carolinas who saw great potential in the fertile cotton land combined with market access to New Orleans by way of the Tennessee River.

Even in the initial design, the developers of Courtland planned for their town’s future and included a main square for the county courthouse had Courtland become the county seat.

In September 14, 1818, Charles Matthews bought 232 acres of land, which is the city of Town Creek today. Jonesboro, Town Creek’s first name, came from the name of a Lawrence County man named William Jones. In 1854, when a post office was established, the post office was called the Town Creek post office because there was already a post office named Jonesboro in Jefferson County. In March 1875, Town Creek was incorporated by the State of Alabama.

Courtland Presbyterian Church
Begun before the Civil War as the second building for a congregation organized in 1821, this handsome church is significant for its paneled front doors and fine brickwork.

Courtland Historic District
The Courtland Historic District has more than 100 buildings and sites on the National Register of Historic Places. The town square, a public gathering place for 175, was the site from which the famous "Red Rovers," a volunteer military company, left on its ill-fated mission to help in the Texas War for Independence.

McMahon House
Built in 1823 for Virginia-born merchant John Trotter, this house was owned from 1838 until 1987 by the family of John McMahon, an early cotton broker with offices in Courtland and New Orleans. One of the most notable Federal houses left in northern Alabama, it is an excellent and very formal example of the "I" house. It has Federal woodwork throughout, including molded chair rails and Adam mantel pieces. The house has been fully restored and is a Certified Historic Landmark. It is now a bed and breakfast inn.

Pine Torch Church
Located in the Bankhead National Forest. This primitive log church was established in 1850.

General Joe Wheeler Plantation
This 2 1/2 -story frame house(circa 1884) was the home of General Joe Wheeler, senior cavalry general of the Confederacy who was later a congressman and Major General in the Spanish-American War. The house features the original furniture, family portraits and cases of medals from Wheeler’s exploits.

Jackson House
This historic house was built in the early 1900’s. It now serves as a center for senior citizens and community activities.

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Highways:
U. S. Highway 20 and Alternate 72 and State Highways 24 and 36 are routed through the county east and west; State highways 33, 101 and 157 are routed north and south.

Air Transportation:
Lawrence County is served by four airports; Muscle Shoals Airport, Pryor Field at Decatur, George C. Wallace Industrial Airpark at Courtland and Huntsville International Airport.

Rail Transportation:
One major railroad, CSX Transportation, serves the valley.

Motor Freight:
Four motor freight carriers are located within the county, and a number of carriers are located in adjoining counties.

Bus Transportation:
The county is served locally by Lawrence County Public Transportation.

 

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